Counseling Services

The mission of Counseling Services is to help you to overcome personal barriers to academic success. 
Services are free and confidential for enrolled MassBay students. 

What is Counseling?
Counseling is a process of working with a professionally trained counselor in becoming a healthier human being in all aspects of life: Emotional, Intellectual, Physical, and Spiritual. Counseling is:

• A voluntary process of self-discovery and change. Whether you decide to return for more sessions is up to you.
• A confidential discussion about a situation, problem, relationship, family issue, or habit that you want to change. 
• A positive, educational step that you can take when you feel stuck in life. 
• An active collaboration with your counselor to find workable strategies to life barriers.

Is our conversation confidential?
Yes, your conversation with the counselor is private and confidential. Meeting notes are kept separate from your academic record. The counselor will tell you the legal limits of confidentiality during your first meeting and you are encouraged to ask questions.

Can I see a counselor if I already have a mental health provider off-campus?
It depends. Please first ask your provider if seeing a counselor at MassBay will work with your treatment plan and goals. We aim to work as a team and to avoid confusion. We will ask you to fill out a release of information form so that we can collaborate with your current or recent providers. 

MassBay students have come in to talk with a counselor about:

• Feeling overwhelmed or stuck
• Concerns about substance use or addiction 
• Depression and suicide prevention
• Stress, anxiety, and worry 
• Traumatic experiences, past or present 
• Relationship or family issues 
• Sexual orientation and identity 
• Gender and identity 
• Grief and loss of important relationships
• Concerns about eating or sleeping habits
• Procrastination, concentration, or motivation problems
• Difficulty adjusting to life at MassBay, Boston, or the United States
• Finding Off-Campus resources 

Jon D. Edwards, MA, LMHC - Director - jedwards@massbay.edu

Jon is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Assumption College. Jon began working in the mental health field as a counselor in a residential rehabilitation treatment program for adults. He trained and worked as a counselor in the Student Development and Counseling Center at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Jon came to MassBay in September of 2004. 

Ann Whelan, MA, LMHC - Associate Director - awhelan@massbay.edu

Ann is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University. She also received advanced training in psychotherapy from The Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. In addition to College Mental Health, Ann has experience in community mental health and substance abuse counseling and education. She joined the MassBay Counseling staff in 2006.

Jessica Post, MSW, LICSW - Counselor - jpost@massbay.edu 

Jessica is a licensed Social Worker and an experienced psychotherapist. She provides counseling to MassBay students on the Framingham and Ashland campuses. She joined the MassBay Counseling staff in 2016.

Take a Free, Anonymous Screening Tool for Mental Health

Suicide Prevention:

Text Helpline: 741-741 

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org: 1-800-273-TALK(8255). 

http://www.stopasuicide.org/index.aspx 

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or Text: TalkWithUs to 66746
TTY for Deaf/Hearing Impaired: 1-800-846-8517

Eating Disorders Resources:

www.medainc.org 

GLBT Resources:

www.bagly.org 

General Mental Health Resources:

www.goaskalice.columbia.edu 

www.mentalhelp.net 

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Resources:

Boston Area Rape Crisis Center:  24-hour hotline: 800-841-8371
REACH beyond domestic violence
Voices Against Violence/Women’s Protective Services:  508-626-8686  800-593-1125 hotlines
SafeLink Hotline 24/7:  877-785-2020
National Domestic Violence Hotline:  800-799-SAFE (7233)

Mental Health Counseling Internship Program
 

Description

MassBay Community College offers an LHMC-track Internship program for students pursuing a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, or equivalent.

MassBay is a diverse educational environment that offers over 60 degrees and certificates. 

Interns primarily provide short-term, individual counseling with students. There are also opportunities for conducting psychoeducational workshops, outreach, and consultation.

The Internship is a full academic year, starting in late-August and finishing in mid-May. The program provides the required 600 hours of clinical internship experience and all required supervision hours. Interns are generally expected to work three full days per week, up to 20-24 hours weekly.

Supervision

• Clinical supervision is provided by two Massachusetts LMHC's that each have 20+ years of experience in the field.
• The supervisors meet criteria as an Approved Supervisor for Massachusetts LMHC licensure.

Applications

Complete applications include the following documents:

• Cover letter with Statement of Interest in College Counseling
• Resume
• Two professional recommendation letters
• Unofficial transcript

Timeline

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis at the beginning of the calendar year.
• Interviews are scheduled on a rolling basis as complete applications are received.
• The process closes when the candidates are selected.

Send complete applications to:

Internship Program Coordinator
MassBay Community College
Counseling Services
50 Oakland Street
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
CounselingInternship@massbay.edu
781-239-3142