D’Youville Opens Community Counseling Center to Support Mental Health Needs Across Buffalo

D’Youville University is expanding access to mental health services in Western New York with the opening of its new Community Counseling Center, a resource designed to support adults across the greater Buffalo community. Located in the DAC Building at 268 Fargo Avenue, the center provides free counseling services while also serving as a hands-on training site for graduate students in D’Youville’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

The center offers individual and group counseling for adults 18 and older, addressing a wide range of needs including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, life transitions, and concerns within the LGBTQ+ community. With six newly designed counseling rooms, the space is built to provide a safe, welcoming, and confidential environment where individuals can seek support and prioritize their well-being.

“This center was created with a dual purpose, to train our future counselors and to support the community,” said Dr. Helena Boersma, EdD, program director for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. “We know there is a significant gap in behavioral health providers, both nationally and here in Buffalo. This model allows us to be part of the solution while preparing students for meaningful careers.”

All counseling services are delivered by graduate-level clinical interns under the supervision of licensed clinicians, ensuring high-quality care while giving students critical real-world experience. “Our interns are always supported by licensed professionals,” Boersma said. “That supervision ensures the quality of care, while also giving students the opportunity to learn what it truly means to be a counselor in the community.”

That real-world experience is a defining feature of the program. Students are not only developing their clinical skills, but doing so in a setting where their work has an immediate and meaningful impact. “They’re gaining hands-on experience while working with individuals who truly need and value these services,” Boersma added. “It’s a powerful learning environment for our students and an important resource for the community.”

The Community Counseling Center is open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (May–August 2026). All services are provided at no cost. Appointments can be scheduled online at dyu.edu/counselingcenter or by calling 716-829-7797.