Counseling in Albany, NY. Find the Right Therapist.

Related Sites:
Town of Albany
New York State Education Department Office of Mental Health Professions

Therapy Albany, NY

Counseling Wykagyl, Bronxville

Albany is the capital of New York approximately and is 130 miles north of New York City. The city's population is almost 100,000. However, the area around it, together with Saratoga Springs, Troy and Schenectady make up the Capital District with approximately 850,000 people. The Dutch settled in the area in the early 1600s, building Fort Nassau, a fur trading post.¹ The city itself is built on former Fort Orange, which was another Dutch fort that the English acquired from them in 1664, and renamed it Albany. The city is the fourth oldest in the nation behind Santa Fe, St. Augustine and Hampton, VA, but the second oldest capital in the country. In 1754, the representatives of the seven British North American colonies met here to discuss the first formal proposal in order to unite the colonies. Though the meeting did not reap any fruit, it was the first step towards the U.S. Constitution.

Mental Health in Albany

People afflicted by HIV/AIDS can receive services at the Albany Damien Center. The center's programs cater to the health care requirements of Albany residents, as well as their social, emotional, and mental health needs. Educational programs help individuals learn to deal with the stress of illness in a healthy manner. The agency's peer groups allow residents to glean hope from the guidance and support of others who have lived through similar experiences. The center is a safe, drug-free, culturally competent agency that provides completely confidential services at no cost. Further details are available by calling 518-449-7119.²

St. Joseph's House and Shelter provides homeless individuals with much more than a place to sleep. The organization is dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty through education and advocacy. Each person who stays at the shelter receives one-on-one counseling to determine the root cause of his or her situation. Life skills training, courses on finance and budgeting, and continued social supports ensure that residents obtain and maintain a permanent, independent residence. Contact St. Joseph's at 518-272-2544 to inquire about their services.³

Individuals who struggle to control their anger can learn essential skills in the Anger Management Group offered by Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York. The group helps participants recognize their triggers, as well as destructive life patterns that lead to uncontrollable anger. Once group members understand why they get angry, they learn to replace those negative reactions with positive methods of expressing how they feel. The program lasts for 10 weeks, however, people can join at any time. Call 518-482-8856 for more detailed information.⁴

Current Initiatives

The Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative seeks to address the shortage of qualified clinicians to meet the unique mental health challenges that veterans often face after returning from active duty. Since many of those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been deployed multiple times, the mental strain for them and their families is amplified. Being well versed in treating PTSD, anxiety, and other common mental health issues is a must for New York's mental health professionals. Offering care that is respectful of military culture is also an important aspect of the initiative.⁵

---

References

1. New Netherland Institute. (2017). Fort Nassau. Retrieved from http://www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/history-and-heritage/digital-exhibitions/a-tour-of-new-netherland/albany/fort-nassau/
2. Albany Damien Center. (2016). Homepage. Retrieved from http://www.albanydamiencenter.org/
3. St. Joseph's House and Shelter. (2017). Family Resettlement and Support Services. Retrieved from http://www.josephshousetroy.org/?page_id=145
4. Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York. (2017). Groups. Retrieved from http://www.jfsneny.org/programsservices/groups/
5. National Association of Social Workers New York State Chapter. (2006). Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative. Retrieved from http://www.naswnys.org/veterans.html

Albany is located in Albany County, New York. It has a land area of 21.38 square miles and a water area of 0.54 square miles.  The population of Albany is 98,469 people with 40,283 households and a median annual income of $40,949. .

Therapy Affordability Meter for Albany, NY

Will need to budget

Mental health treatment and therapy in Albany is sometimes a struggle to afford for families and individuals without proper insurance coverage. Finances for many in Albany are not able to cover long term weekly counseling sessions without a budgetary plan in place. The good news is that therapists are often willing to work with you if accessibility is an issue. Low cost therapy and sliding scales are just some of the options that therapists can offer. Insurance may cover your sessions as well. Talk to your counselor to learn more. Low cost counseling and affordable therapy are also sometimes offered by listed city and university level clinics, check with your local Albany public health department.