Location: Lammers Hall, Annex
Hours of operation: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Phone: 572-5790
click here for crisis information

Purpose

We exist for the sole purpose of providing counseling and preventive services for WSC students. Our mission is to facilitate self-discovery, personal growth and self-empowerment for students. We seek to understand and value the individual within the context of community living. We are not guidance counselors and do not function as such. However, we are glad to refer students to various offices that offer services such as academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, etc.

Counseling Services

Individual counseling

Couple counseling

Family counseling

Group counseling (topic areas TBA)

Assessment of needs

Emergency psychiatric services

Nutritional Counseling

Referrals to community and other WSC resources

Workshops and presentations

Substance Abuse Evaluation

Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) information

Why People Go To Counseling:

There may be times when you feel confused, uncertain, or pressured. Talking with a counselor can be helpful in exploring, understanding, and working through your concerns. Individual sessions usually are scheduled once a week. The number of sessions you have will vary depending on the nature of your concerns, and what you and your counselor decide.

Listed below are issues commonly brought to college counseling centers by students:

Low self-esteem
Depression
Homesickness/Loneliness
Conflicts with others
Crisis/Personal trauma
Family problems
Sexual orientation issues
Time management problems
Relationship problems
Decision-making difficulties
Eating Problems/Eating Disorders
Personal identity issues
Communication difficulties
Substance Abuse
Anxiety

Confidentiality

All counseling sessions are strictly confidential. No information may be released without the written permission of the student.

Counseling Resources

If you do not wish to speak with a counselor, but would like information about counseling issues, we have pamphlets available covering a wide range of topic. Consult with the Counseling Center Secretary for more information.

How Do You Get To See a Counselor?

During the academic year, the office is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.You may make an appointment by going to the Counseling Center and speaking to the Secretary or any other staff that may be available. You will be asked to fill out paperwork and then an appointment will be made for you. Usually you can see a counselor within a week of your request, but during busier times of the year, you may need to wait a little longer. In the case of an emergency, the Counseling Center will attempt to offer an appointment as soon as possible.

All services are available to WSC students at no charge as part of student fees.

Graduate Counseling Interns also provide counseling. All interns have completed their graduate coursework in counseling and provide services under the direct supervision of professional staff members.

Emergency and Crisis Counseling:

If you require crisis services outside of the Counseling Center's hours of operation, you may speak to someone at the Crisis Intervention Program, 568-6386. In cases of domestic violence or sexual assault, you may speak to someone at YWCA-New Beginnings 24 hour hotline at 1-800-479-6245 (website: www.ywworks.org/)

Looking for substance abuse services? Check out the information on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health's: Search for Substance Abuse Services at http://db.state.ma.us/dph/bsas/search.asp

The Westfield State College Counseling Center is committed to offering services free of bias regarding race, gender, disabilities, and sexual orientation. Our offices are handicapped-accessible, and we place paramount importance on treating all individuals respectfully and honorably.