Mental Health Counseling Services

The mission of Counseling Services is to help students overcome interpersonal, emotional, and psychological barriers to academic success. 
 

What is Counseling?
Counseling is: 

• A confidential, voluntary process of working with a mental health professional. 
• A process of self-discovery and change. Whether you decide to return for more sessions is up to you.
• A private, confidential conversation about a 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 seek 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 explain 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 - you should ask your provider if seeing a counselor at MassBay will work with your current treatment plan. Our aims are to work effectively as a team and to avoid confusion. We may 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 Edwards, MA, LMHC - Director 

Jon is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. 

Ann Whelan, MA, LMHC - Associate Director 

Ann is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. 

Jessica Post, MSW, LICSW - Counselor 

Jessica is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.  
 

Nina Shen, BA - Counselor 

Nina is a part-time counselor and Mental Health Counseling Master's degree candidate.  

*Thank you for your interest in our program. We have completed our selection process for the 2021-2022 academic year. We will begin accepting applications for the 2022-2023 academic year in January 2022.