Counseling Services

CHW provides services to all enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and law students. Counseling is designed to provide a safe, confidential space to discuss your concerns and make a plan to address them. All counseling services provided by CHW staff are free for students.

About Counseling

Reaching out for help isn’t always easy. Counseling staff work collaboratively with students to identify individual needs and goals for counseling in a supportive and affirming environment. Many students come to CHW with questions about what to expect in counseling, whether counseling can help, or with concerns about whether counseling staff will respond positively and supportively. These are normal and important questions that we seek to answer during a first appointment so that we can better understand your needs and determine how CHW can help. We look forward to meeting you.

Eligibility for Counseling Services

Currently enrolled students are eligible for CHW services. CHW counseling providers are licensed to provide services only to students located in Massachusetts. Students studying remotely outside of Massachusetts can schedule an out-of-state consultation to discuss referrals with our case manager and are always eligible to participate in our support groups and workshops. Faculty and staff seeking counseling assistance for themselves should utilize resources through Human Resources.

Confidentiality

CHW counseling services maintains strict confidentiality policies in compliance with professional standards and with local, state and federal statutes for both in-person and telehealth services. The only exceptions to confidentiality occur when disclosure is necessary to protect the client or an identifiable third party from imminent physical or psychological danger, in cases of apparent child or sexual abuse, or in extremely rare cases when records are subpoenaed by a Court. Students may request and sign a Release of Information allowing CHW counseling staff to provide information to individuals or departments specifically identified by the student. No information may be released until students have discussed the information they want released and a Release of Information has been signed by the student. Students may choose, when necessary, to complete Release of Information forms to allow CHW staff to talk with members of the Dean of Students/CARE Team, other campus departments, family members, and/or external providers for the purpose of consultation and support.

Reasons Students Seek Counseling

  • Relationships (family, friends, romantic)
  • Feeling depressed or sad
  • Stress, feeling anxious, or having panic attacks
  • Difficulty completing academic work
  • Feeling alone, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do about your feelings
  • Questions about your identit(ies) or experiences of bias
  • Self-esteem or not feeling good about yourself
  • Worrying about your appearance or your weight
  • Unwanted sexual experiences
  • Concerns about use of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs