Embedded Therapist Services: CVM

Meet Genel

" "

CAPS counselor Genel Gronkowski provides counseling, consultation, and workshops to College of Veterinary Medicine students on site at CVM. Learn more:

For College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) students

College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) students can now access Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) support on site at CVM.

CVM is the pilot location for Cornell Health's embedded therapist services, in which ongoing mental health support is provided from “satellite” offices located within the academic colleges. Learn more about the embedded therapist pilot at CVM. 

Embedded therapist services at CVM are ...

  • offered by CAPS counselor Genel Gronkowski, MA 
  • provided on site at CVM (see specific locations below)
  • available to CVM students only (post docs, research associates, and house officers may access the Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) and eni Counseling services for mental health needs)
  • designed to supplement Cornell Health's full breadth of services: CVM students can also access group counseling, individual counseling with other therapists, and additional Let's Talk hours and workshops offered by CAPS (see all CAPS services)

Services include:

Office Hours

Students, staff, and faculty members are invited to stop by during Genel's office hours to discuss CAPS and campus resources, how to get support, and how to support a student. 

Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:00 pm:

  • In person: Schurman, Hall Room S2-016 (diagonal from the Registrar’s office)  
  • By Zoom: Please join the virtual waiting room and Genel will be with you as soon as she is able

"Let's Talk" drop-in consultation

Let’s Talk is a drop-in service that allows students to consult informally with a Cornell Health counselor without an appointment. Consultations are offered first-come, first-served, and are typically about 20-25 minutes in length. (Note that Let's Talk is not a substitute for counseling, and not appropriate for urgent concerns or mental health emergencies.) Learn more about Let's Talk. 

Genel's fall semester Let's Talk hours:

  • Monday, September 23: 10:00-11:30 am, Well-being Room (S1-017)
  • Monday, October 7: 10:00-11:30 am, Well-being Room (S1-017)
  • Monday, October 21: 10:00-11:30 am, Well-being Room (S1-017)
  • Monday, November 4: 10:00-11:30 am, Well-being Room (S1-017)
     ** The Let's Talk session on 11/4 will be remote only **
  • Monday, November 18: 10:00-11:30 am, Well-being Room (S1-017)
  • Monday, December 2: 10:00-11:30 am, Well-being Room (S1-017)
  • Monday, December 16: 10:00-11:30 am, Well-being Room (S1-017)

CVM students may also access other Let's Talk hours, locations, and providers: see our Let's Talk page for details. 

Individual counseling 

Genel provides single-session therapy and short-term individual counseling from her office in Schurman Hall (room S2-016).

Students wishing to schedule a counseling appointment with Genel should first schedule a CAPS access appointment. During this free 25-minute appointment, you can discuss your concerns with an access counselor, and request a counseling appointment with Genel. 

To schedule a CAPS access appointment: 

  • Log in to myCornellHealth using your Cornell NetID and password, and select "Appointments"
  • Or call Cornell Health during business hours to speak with a scheduler: 607-255-5155 

Follow-up counseling appointments may be scheduled with Genel directly, or by calling 607-255-5155.

CVM students may also ask to schedule counseling appointments with other Cornell Health therapists. Learn more on our Individual Counseling page. 

Group counseling

CVM Stress Support Group

  • Tuesdays, 3:45-5:00 pm, Hagan Room (S1-214)
  • September 17 through October 29
  • Free, confidential, and open to all CVM students
  • Facilitator: Genel Gronkowski, MA

When Life gives you lemons, stop by the CVM Stress Support Group to share a glass of lemonade and learn new tips, tricks, and techniques to manage stress unique to graduate school experiences!

Anxiety & You: Managing Anxiety in Times of Uncertainty

  • Thursdays, 3:00-4:30 pm via Zoom
  • 5-week group beginning October 17
  • Open to undergraduate and graduate / professional students
  • Group orientation with Travis Winter required; no drop-ins
  • Facilitators: Travis Winter, LCSW-R and Genel Gronkowski, MA

This group will be a psychoeducational and hands-on 5-session series designed to help students understand, manage, and treat anxiety, with the goal of helping each student develop an individualized treatment plan for themselves. Each session will have a theme (regular attendance is expected):

Session #1: Understanding anxiety
Session #2: Cognitive strategies to combat anxiety
Session #3: Gradually facing fears
Session #4: Mindfulness/Anxiety management strategies
Session #5: TBA Determined by participants

Students are encouraged to practice skills outside of sessions and report back so successes can be celebrated, plans can be adjusted as needed, and obstacles can be problem-solved. Learn how to join.

CVM students may also participate in other counseling groups offered by Cornell Health. Learn more about our current group counseling offerings. 

Workshops 

Lunch and Unlearn

  • Monday, October 21: 12:00-1:00 pm, Green Room (Dining Area: S2-223)
  • Monday, November 18: 12:00-1:00 pm, Green Room (Dining Area: S2-223)
  • Monday, December 16: 12:00-1:00 pm, Green Room (Dining Area: S2-223)

Bring your lunch and “unlearn” the need to be productive! Research shows that taking a break to engage in relationship building and creative play can help boost problem-solving and adapting in adults. Join us for board games and creative activities to give your brain a break.

Winter Wellness

  • Tuesday, November 12: 12:00-1:00 pm, Centennial Room

Daylight savings time, grey skies, and cold weather can leave us feeling slow, shivery, and sad. Join us for a presentation on different tips, tricks, techniques and activities to help you manage your well-being this winter. Hot chocolate provided!

CVM students may also participate in other CAPS workshops offered by Cornell Health. Learn more about our current workshop offerings. 

Learn more about ...

The embedded therapist pilot at CVM (FAQs)

Why is CAPS piloting the embedded therapist model at CVM?

The CVM has a relatively small student body, their students have historically demonstrated a greater utilization of CAPS services, and the CVM was able to identify the necessary funding and staffing to support this initial exploration of the embedded therapist position. Data from this initial site will be useful in supporting other sites across campus.

Where are the embedded therapist services offered?

The new embedded therapist, Genel Gronkowski, has an on-site office in Schurman Hall.

Are the same as at Cornell Health? 

For the most part, yes. However, given the unique schedules of some CVM students, there may be some variation. Cornell Health's embedded therapy model encourages embedded therapists to explore ways to to meet the unique needs of the students within their college.

What types of services are offered at the new site?

Genel Gronkowski provides individual counseling services, as well as some psychoeducational programming, and advisement for faculty and senior administration on emerging mental health issues and academic integration.

Who does the embedded therapist report to?

The embedded therapist has a solid-line reporting relationship to one of CAPS' assistant directors. 

How do students make an appointment with the embedded therapist?

Students wishing to schedule an appointment with Genel Gronkowski should follow the same procedure as any student seeking CAPS counseling services and request a CAPS access appointment. At that appointment, the student may request the embedded counselor.

Does the embedded therapist support post docs, research associates, or house officers?

No. Those populations should continue to utilize the Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) and eni Counseling services for their mental health needs.

How does this role consult with CVM faculty and staff within the new site?

The embedded therapist may field questions from faculty and staff or proactively serve as a guide when emerging mental health trends surface. Faculty and staff may also reach out to the embedded therapist to request expertise as it relates to communicating mental health information and/or services to students. The embedded therapist may also partner with some staff and faculty to create and deliver psychoeducational programming, as well as partner on annual events such as orientation or other academic transitions.  

What happens when the embedded therapist’s capacity is reached, or students would prefer a different therapist?

If capacity is reached, or if the embedded therapist’s schedule can not accommodate a student’s needs, that student would be directed to a different CAPS counselor during their CAPS access appointment. Students may also request to see a different CAPS counselor at any time during their access appointment or by calling CAPS at 607-255-5155.