Student Health Center

Mission

The mission of the Student Health Center is to support the health and wellbeing of the students of Bennington College. Both Medical and Counseling and Psychological Services strive to help students consider the complex issues affecting their physical and psychological health. Medical Services provides medical evaluation, routine and acute health care, and health education. Counseling and Psychological Services provides short-term psychotherapy, and mental health education. Both services seek to promote active participation of students in matters affecting their own psychological and physical health. 

Medical Services

Located in the Student Health Center, Medical Services is open Monday through Friday during the spring and fall academic terms.

• Direct care includes care for acute and chronic illnesses and injuries, routine physical exams, laboratory testing, minor procedures, contraception, allergy injections, and appropriate referrals.
• Health education includes health maintenance, preparation for traveling abroad, promotion of safer sexual practices, nutrition, weight management, smoking cessation, sexuality, and substance abuse.
• Appointments are required during the fall and spring academic terms. Appointments can be made in person, by email, or through the self-appointment link.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Located in the Student Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Services is open Monday through Friday during the fall and spring academic terms. Staff includes licensed clinicians, permitted clinicians, and interns who endeavor to provide students with an array of counseling and psychological services. We see psychotherapy both as a treatment to help students manage stressors and issues in their lives and as a means for providing students the chance to explore their thought processes and underlying issues much in the way they strive to understand their academics.

• Treatment of stress and anxiety through cognitive methods, and skills training to ongoing exploration.
• Couples' counseling
• Referral information
• Medication management if appropriate
• Appointments during the spring and fall academic terms with a psychotherapist can be made by calling x4426 (from off campus 802-440-4426), Monday through Friday.

Confidentiality

The Student Health Center staff adhere to professional, ethical, and mandated standards of confidentiality. Health and Counseling and Psychological Services clinicians may consult with other professional staff members for the purpose of providing the best possible care to students. Other exceptions to the standard procedures of confidentiality occur when a student is assessed to be a danger to him/herself or others, when records are subpoenaed, or in reporting abuse (e.g., abuse or neglect of a minor) as required by law. In such cases, the student would be informed, if possible, and information would be shared strictly on a need-to-know basis.

Student Health Insurance

All full-time Bennington College students must be covered by a health insurance policy. Previously offered plans and other College-sponsored insurance plans are no longer available to us. Student must provide their own insurance coverage. If you do not have insurance coverage, you will not be able to enroll or attend as a student at Bennington. It is the responsibility of the policyholder/student to inquire with each provider about whether that medical office accepts their insurance and whether prior authorization by their primary care provider or insurance carrier is necessary for services away from home. New Students need to provide Proof of Health Insurance by filling out the insurance question on the Practice Fusion intake form. All students should always bring a copy of their current insurance card to appointments at the Health Center and CAPS. Students need to plan accordingly to pay their bill for services in the Student Health Center and CAPS.

Health Center Charges

The Bennington College Student Health Center charges usual and customary fees, just like any private doctor's office. Payment for charges not covered by a student's health insurance can be made by using your Bennington Card, cash, check, or credit card, preferably at the time of service. Students can choose to be billed and pay within 30 days. For out of pocket expenses, we use a sliding scale based on financial need.