Counseling Services

Welcome!
Taking care of oneself amidst the pressures of school, family, work, and relationships can often be part of the challenge of being a college student. Learning how to better adapt and cope with these stressors can improve the quality of your life and enhance your success at MassBay.

What is Counseling?
Counseling is the process during which you work with a professionally trained, licensed counselor in becoming a healthier human being in all aspects of life: Emotional, Intellectual, Physical, and Spiritual.
Counseling is:

• A voluntary activity. 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 step you can take when you get stuck in life.
• An educational and growth oriented experience.
• An active collaboration with your counselor to find workable solutions to life barriers, not one in which a counselor "fixes" you.

Who Needs Counseling?
Anytime you are having a problem, are troubled or concerned about something, or just not feeling like yourself, you may want to see a counselor. People seek counseling for personal growth, relationship problems, emotional difficulty, family problems, feeling sad, scared, overwhelmed, frustrated, or nervous.

Periods of sadness, discouragement, depression, or difficulty adjusting to new situations occur at times in nearly everyone's life. Such feelings are not unusual, but are painful, especially if they are frequent or prolonged. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness prevent some people from seeking help and it is difficult for family and friends to urge someone they care about to start counseling.

Talking with a professional about ways to cope with the situation can make a difference. In general, a person who is thinking about whether or not to get help should go ahead and get it. And remember, all talk of suicide is serious and should be shared with someone in a position to help.

Can I see a counselor if I already have a therapist/counselor/psychiatrist somewhere else?
If you are working with someone already, please discuss your interest in counseling at MassBay with that person before you come to see us.

If you have previously seen a therapist or counselor, or currently see a psychiatrist or other prescriber for medication management, you may be asked to fill out a release of information form so that we can contact him/her.

Confidentiality in Counseling
The main feature of the counseling process is the relationship that exists between the counselor and the student. What sets this relationship apart from all others is confidentiality.

Anyone who wants information must have a consent for release of information signed by you, including parents & other family, MassBay professors, other staff, and your friends.

There are very few instances where this confidentiality is broken. The counselor will discuss the details of confidentiality during your first meeting and you are encouraged to ask questions about this.

Students sometimes worry that information about them seeking counseling will go into their academic or registration records. Please note that no other office at MassBay has any access to our records, and Counseling Services does not share any information with any other office.

In the past, MassBay students have come in to talk with a counselor about some of the following issues:

• Feeling overwhelmed or stuck
• Concerns about Substance use
• Depression or persistent sadness
• Stress & Time management skills
• Relationship issues or family concerns
• Grief & loss of important relationships
• Concerns about eating or sleeping habits
• Procrastination, concentration, or motivation problems
• Juggling priorities & roles: Work, School, Family, Money, etc.
• Anxiety & worry, including test-taking and public speaking fears
• Difficulty adjusting to life at MassBay, Boston, and/or the United States
• Finding Off-Campus resources

We offer programs and classroom presentations related to mental health and wellness, including but not limited to:

• Stress recognition and reduction
• Test anxiety
• Time management
• Maintaining holistic balance and wellness
• Current issues in college mental health
• Screenings for depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse and a free, anonymous, online screening.

While this is a list of programs we have provided in the past, we are also able to tailor a presentation to the specific needs of your faculty, staff, student, or campus group.

Additionally, Counseling Services can provide you with resource materials, including brochures and web-based materials which address various issues of importance to our students.

Mission Statement

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• How to schedule an appointment
• Emergency and urgent care

RECOGNIZING A STUDENT IN DISTRESS

SIGNS THAT A STUDENT MAY NEED ASSISTANCE

• Uncharacteristic decline in academic, work, or athletic performance
• Uncharacteristic absences from class or other commitments
• Multiple requests for exceptions / special consideration
• Behavior that disrupts the overall learning environment
• Avoidance of faculty, staff, coaches or other students
• Repeatedly confiding in you with personal problems
• Difficulty speaking or articulating thoughts
• Noticeable change in personal hygiene
• Uncharacteristic irritability
• Excessive Procrastination
• Dramatic weight changes
• Difficulty staying awake
• Intense emotional states
• Concerns about substance use/abuse

HOW TO MAKE A REFERRAL TO COUNSELING SERVICES:

• Location:
  • Office of Student Development in Wellesley Hills (Room 130) and Framingham (Room 100).
  • Telephone: 781-239-3142
• Our team:
  • Jon Edwards, MA, LMHC — Director of Counseling
  • Ann Whelan, MA, LMHC — Associate Director of Counseling Services
• Appointments:
  • Non-urgent meetings are by appointment.
  • Provide the student with information about Counseling Services and encourage the student to call or drop in for an appointment.
  • Offer to escort the student to the Office of Student Development on your campus.
• If a student is reluctant, or you are increasingly concerned:
  • You can offer them information about Counseling Services.
  • Call us for a consultation and suggestions.

CRISIS SITUATIONS:

If you are concerned about a student&rsqou;s immediate safety:

• Call Public Safety at any time (x2222).
• Contact Counseling Services during office hours.
• Call 911

IMPORTANT TIPS

• A student may tell you something in “confidence” that you are hesitant to report. Confidentiality does not apply when personal safety issues arise. This is especially true if a student mentions or hints at suicide.
• Ask the student: “Are you talking with anyone about this?” Say you can recommend someone who can help if he/she is not.
• Let the student know you will support him/her in getting help.

Jon D. Edwards, MA, LMHC — Director of Counseling Services

Jon is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a graduate of Assumption College’s Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. Jon began working in the mental health field in 1996 as a counselor in a residential rehabilitation treatment program for adults and later worked as a counselor in the Student Development and Counseling Center at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Jon came to MassBay in September of 2004 and enjoys working with the diverse needs of our students.

Ann Whelan, MA, LMHC — Associate Director of Counseling Services

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.

Graduate Counseling Interns

Each year, Counseling Services may hire and train up to two Counseling Graduate Students to provide personal counseling to MassBay students. Each intern works under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional at MassBay.

These links are provided for your informational use only. They are not intended to be a substitute for meeting with a mental health professional. Please speak to one of our counselors if you have any concerns about your mental health.

Take MassBay’s Free, Anonymous, Screening Tool for Mental Health

Suicide Help and Prevention:

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK(8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With over 120 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.

http://www.stopasuicide.org/index.aspx Each year in America almost 30,000 people commit suicide, and 70% of those people tell someone or give warning signs before taking their own life. “Stop A Suicide, Today!” can teach you how to recognize the warning signs of suicide in family, friends, co-workers, and patients, and why you need to respond as you would do with any medical emergency.

www.samaritansofboston.org The website of the Boston-area chapter of Samaritans, Inc., offering information, support, and connection around suicide risk and prevention.
24 Hour Helpline: 1-877-840-HOPE (4673)

Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990 or Text TalkWithUs to 66746

TTY for Deaf/Hearing Impaired:
1-800-846-8517
Feeling stressed?
If you or someone you know has been affected by a disaster and needs immediate assistance, please call this toll-free number for information, support, and counseling. You will be connected to the nearest crisis center.

Eating Disorders:

www.medainc.org The website for the Massachusetts Eating Disorders Association, which is located in Newton, Massachusetts, and offers information, support, assessment, and referrals.

GLBT Resources:

www.bagly.org The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth is a gateway to community, activities, and information for GLBT young adults and their friends and families.

General Mental Health Resources:

www.ulifeline.org An online resources center for college student mental health and emotional well-being.

www.goaskalice.columbia.edu The health question-and-answer internet service from Columbia University’s Health Education Program. See particularly the “Emotional Health” section of this site.

www.mentalhelp.net Mental Help Net is an established and highly regarded internet website dedicated to educating the public about mental health, wellness, and family and relationship issues and concerns.

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 hotline
800-593-1125 hotline

SafeLink Hotline 24/7:
877-785-2020

National Domestic Violence Hotline:
800-799-SAFE (7233)

MassBay Community College Counseling Services
Mental Health Counseling Internship Program
Description & Application Information

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 learning environment that offers over 60 degrees and certificates to a student body of 5500+. Our students represent many ages, cultures, ethnicities, socioeconomic classes, and complex clinical presentations.

Interns primarily provide short-term, individual psychotherapy with students. There are also opportunities for conducting psychoeducational workshops, student outreach, and consultation to faculty/staff about students of concern.

The Internship follows the MassBay academic calendar and runs for two, 16 week semesters 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. In a typical year, 2 interns will be hired.

Staff

• Ann Whelan, MA, LMHC — Associate Director of Counseling Services. Ann is the Internship Coordinator and primary Internship supervisor.
• Jon Edwards, MA, LMHC — Director of Counseling

Both supervisors provide one hour of supervision per week. Each has 15+ years of experience in the field and meets the supervisory criteria for Massachusetts LMHC licensure.

Application Materials

Complete applications include the following documents:

• Cover letter/Statement of Interest in College Counseling
• Resume
• Two professional recommendation letters
• Transcript (optional)

Application Timeline

• Applications are accepted from the beginning of January until the end of February.
• Interviews are scheduled on a rolling basis as complete applications are received.
• The process closes when the candidates are selected.

Send complete applications to:

Ann Whelan, MA, LMHC
MassBay Community College
Counseling Services
50 Oakland Street
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
awhelan@massbay.edu
781-239-3142

MASSBAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE COUNSELING SERVICE
MISSION STATEMENT

1. MassBay Community College Counseling Services provides personal counseling to enrolled students who desire assistance with mental health issues.
2. Our approach to counseling is a short-term and holistic model that promotes and sustains the student’s developmental well-being and academic success.
3. To achieve these aims, our team of licensed mental health professionals and graduate counseling interns are committed to:

1. The highest standards of professional ethics in accordance with Federal and State law and licensure regulations.
2. Providing services, which may include consultation, evaluation, individual counseling, and referral to off-campus resources.
3. Providing consultation to faculty/staff regarding student mental health issues.
4. Providing psycho-educational outreach and programming to students, faculty, and staff on relevant mental health issues.
5. Selecting, training, supervising, and mentoring Graduate Counseling Students through our comprehensive clinical internship program.
6. Continuing education to learn best practices in counseling, state-of-the-art clinical approaches, and current research on college mental health issues via conferences, workshops, professional organizations, and the clinical literature