Students encounter a great deal of stress during their university years (i.e., academic, social, family, work and financial stress.) To help students manage the demands of university life, we provide individual psychological and personal counseling services.  Our licensed counselor can assist students in overcoming personal, academic, and/or crisis situations that could negatively impact their progress and success at Penn State Greater Allegheny. 

While most students cope successfully with life's demands, sometimes these pressures become overwhelming and difficult to manage. Students might feel alone, isolated, helpless and even hopeless. These feelings can easily disrupt academic performance and may result in other harmful behaviors such as missing class, falling behind on assignments, substance abuse, self-harm and other behaviors that negatively impact a student’s success. 

Many common student concerns include:

  • Difficulty in adjusting to college
  • Homesickness
  • Problems with friends, roommates, and/or family members
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Lack of motivation
  • Difficulty in relaxing
  • Concerns about your major, career and/or future
  • Difficulty in concentrating or studying
  • Trouble coping with academic pressures
  • Uncertainties about personal values and beliefs
  • Frequent absences or sudden decline in quality of academic performance
  • A highly adverse event such as assault, abuse, or death of a loved one
  • Escalating stress and/or anxiety
  • References to bodily injury, suicidal thoughts, or harm to others.
  • Referrals from faculty, staff, parents and friends.

If you experience or deal with any of these issues or any other stressors, you're urged to make an appointment to talk with a personal counselor. Although students are most often self-referred for counseling, you may refer a student. We're here to help you, and YOU matter to us. 

What services are provided?

Personal counseling offers a variety of confidential and free services for Greater Allegheny campus students, including:

  • Individual therapy (in-person or tele-health)
  • Crisis intervention
  • Stress management
  • Supportive services
  • Referrals
  • Consultations
  • Group Sessions
  • Outreach and educational workshops throughout the semester

How is student confidentiality protected?

All information shared between the student and the counselor is strictly confidential. All calls and requests for information are strictly confidential. No contacts are made without the student's written permission, unless the student is a risk to themself or others. 

How do I make an appointment?

If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Mr. Kevin Debow, Mental Wellness Counselor, at 412-675-9475 or by email at kld31@psu.edu. Students may also drop by Kevin's office located within the Commuter Lounge, Student Community Center, Room 110

If you or you have a student in need of urgent service, please call or encourage your student of concern to call our Penn State Crisis Line.

  • Crisis services are confidential and available 24/7 by calling: Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400
  • Text the 24 hour Crisis Text Line: text “LIONS” to 741741
  • If you are dealing with a life-threatening emergency, call 911 for immediate help.

Additional Services

Well Track is available to students at any time of day, from any location.  Well Track is an online interactive self-help therapy site.  Well Track features a wellness assessment that students can take one time or on an as-needed basis, to help them understand the activities associated with when they feel better and worse and to identify patterns in their daily activities and how they are feeling.  To register for an account, download the WellTrack app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and register using your school email address. 

The Counseling and Psychological Services Virtual Library includes informative videos about various mental health topics.  Some videos serve to inform, validate and support, while others offer the opportunity for a basic introduction to strategies for coping with specific concerns.  Topics include coping with COVID 19, Racial Trauma and Managing Strong Emotions.