Student Counseling Center

Individual counseling is available for a variety of concerns. No topic is considered too great or too small. Your counselor will help you create a treatment plan that fits your needs and appointments will be scheduled accordingly.

Support groups are for students who share a particular issue, such as a family member with an alcohol problem or relationship issues. Meetings are usually held once a week during the fall and spring semesters. You are welcome to join a support group at any time during the academic year. Available support groups include Al-Anon, relationships, self-esteem and grief support.

The Counseling Center provides a range of wellness workshops and services throughout the academic year, including stress relief activities and various screenings such as mental health, alcohol and eating disorder screenings.

They also have a variety of resources concerning mental health and wellness issues which is free for all students.

Consulting with Hilbert Athletic teams in relation to mental health and sport psychology needs. Providing individual, group, and team services on such topics relevant to each unique team on campus. Examples of sport psychology/mental skills services relate to concentration/focus, imagery/visualization, relaxation skills, team cohesion, mediation, etc.

The Counseling Center works closely with other professionals in the Western New York community. When needed, you may be referred to other resources in the nearby community.

Prevention and early intervention are helpful to assist students in achieving personal and academic goals at Hilbert. We welcome consultations about psychological and educational issues by working directly with faculty and staff concerning a particular student’s need or how to work with different student populations. To maintain client confidentiality, no information is released to faculty or staff without a student’s written consent. We also consult with students who may be concerned about helping another student, friend or loved one.

To ensure confidentiality, we can never confirm nor deny a student is being seen at the Counseling Center. We can listen and support parents and families and refer them to other resources on or off campus, if needed. We are willing to meet with families of students if the student requests it as part of their counseling process. Parents or family members who have concerns about their student at Hilbert should contact the counseling director at 716-926-8930, or e-mail us.

Dr. Siuta has a diverse range of experiences as a counselor and educator, both in agency and school counseling programs for twenty years.  Prior to Hilbert, Dr. Siuta spent nine years at St. Bonaventure University as an Associate Professor as well as assisting the Counseling Center and Athletic Department on campus with counseling needs.  He has held a private counseling practice for over fifteen years in the Western New York area, working with individuals, couples, families, and athletes, where he has a specialty interest in sport psychology. 

Dr. Siuta has consulted with professional, college, and high school sports teams in this area, including the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and Bandits. He has been invited to write two book chapters, peer review other resources over the years, and has been asked to give numerous workshops at conferences locally, regionally, and nationally in the areas of counseling and sport psychology.  

ACADEMIC DEGREES
Ph.D., Psychology, Capella University, 2007
MSED, Counselor Education, St. Bonaventure University, 1997
B.A., Psychology, State University College at Buffalo, 1995

CREDENTIALS
NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor
NYS Permanent Certification School Counseling

Her theoretical approach focuses on the core aspects of problems in order to facilitate change and growth. She uses a gentle approach relying heavily on the positive strengths and resources of the client. Jennifer believes success is created and provides clients with healthy and achievable goals. She regularly utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and is EMDR trained.

Jennifer is an active member of her community where she founded a Community Garden to provide fresh produce to those in need, providing education on gardening and healthy multicultural cooking. For her role in her local community, she has received recognition from the NYS Senate, NYS Assembly and the NYS Legislature. She was awarded the WGRZ Good Neighbor Award in 2015.

Jennifer is a lifelong Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and Bandits fan. She enjoys spending time with her husband and pets, gardening, traveling, volunteers for a local youth baseball league and has a passion for continuing to educate herself in exciting new endeavors.