Counseling Center

Our Services

Brief Solution-Focused (BSF) model of care:

• Brief Solution-Focused Counseling
• Consultation & recommendation sessions
• Group counseling
• Same-day appointments
• Crisis appointments (such as self-harm, danger to self/others, and more)
• Referrals for specialist or longer-term treatment (such as medication, testing, and more)
• Support spaces (non-clinical support for out-of-state students, international students, identity groups, and more)
• Wellness programs (such as stress management, mindfulness training, and more)

Our Brief Solution-Focused model of care provides more students with greater access and a wider range of services than previously existed. This model will enable us to see more students, minimize the need for a waiting list, address problems sooner, and offer a flexible model of care. Our expanded services will include counseling groups, same-day appointments, support spaces, and wellness programming.

If you need more help

We're committed to working from a Brief Solution-Focused treatment modality to help all students. At the same time, we understand this may not meet every student's needs. Therefore, if students request or need more consistent and weekly counseling or specialized treatment (such as medication, testing, or other need), our counselors will be happy to assist with referrals.

Out of necessity, the Counseling Center is creating new and varied entry points to serve more students within a short-term model and will keep providing referrals for longer-term treatment and specialist care. Although college counseling centers are not resourced to provide long-term care, research consistently illustrates the efficacy and benefits students can receive through brief treatment.

Promoting Equity & Access to Care

We're committed to equity and access to services to students from historically marginalized, low-income, or first-generation backgrounds. We understand the stigma and systemic barriers that have limited access to quality health care and treatment for members from these communities. We will work earnestly to gain the trust and confidence of our students in the Lesley community to provide them with access to services and also with referrals when appropriate.

Take a Mental Health Screening

ULifeline at Duke University School of Medicine developed the Self Evaluator to screen for common mental health conditions that college students face. This screening does not provide a diagnosis but identifies problems that could be impacting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The screening process also provides information on these conditions and how to reach out for help. 

Start Self-Screening Here

• Crisis Hotlines

  • Crisis Text Line: You can text from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment. Text “HOME” to 741741.

  • 211 (community resource specialists): Aids in times of crisis, emergency, disasters and loss of essential needs. All languages available. 

  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline/National Crisis Hotline: This Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 800.273.TALK (8255) or chat online.

  • Samaritans Crisis Hotline (national suicide prevention): Call 877.870.HOPE (4673).  

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Hotline: SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 800.985.5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

  • Trevor Project LGBTQIA+ Hotline: Trained counselors are available to support you 24/7 if you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk. Call 866.488.7386.

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: You'll to be routed to a local sexual assault service provider in your area. Trained staff can provide confidential support and connect you to resources in your area. Call 800.356.HOPE (4673).

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: Highly trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone in the United States who is experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. Services available in over 200 languages. Call 800.799.SAFE (7233).

  • REACH MA (domestic violence): REACH MA is a non-profit organization providing safety and support to survivors of abuse while encouraging communities to promote healthy relationships and prevent domestic violence. Call 800.899.4000.

  • Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC): BARCC empowers survivors of sexual violence to heal and provides education and advocacy for social change to prevent sexual violence. Call their 24/7 hotline at 800.841.8371 or their office at 617.492.8306 during regular business hours. Chat online from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

  • Love is Respect:  Loveisrespect is the ultimate resource to empower youth to prevent and end dating abuse. It is a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Call 866.331.9474 or text “loveis” to 22522.

  • Veterans Crisis Line: Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many are Veterans themselves. Text 838255.

  • Parental Stress Hotline (Massachusetts): Trained volunteer counselors offer a way to relieve stress in an environment which is non-judgmental along with being sympathetic. All languages available. Call 24/7 at 800.632.8188.

• Confidentiality Policy

  Confidentiality means that under normal circumstances, no one outside of the Counseling Center is given any information about you—even the fact that you have been here—without your written consent.

  Exceptions to this include:

  • If you are a danger to the health and safety of yourself or others
  • If you disclose the abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional) or neglect of a child under the age of 18, an elder, or a disabled person
  • If a court orders the release of a record via subpoena
  • If you are seen by Lesley Student Health Service staff and information about your care is needed as part of your integrated medical treatment
  • If you file a complaint or lawsuit against the Counseling Center

  There may be times that your counselor feels it would be in the best interest of your work together to talk with someone outside the Counseling Center—such as advisor, faculty, parent, or former counselor—to ensure you are getting the best care. In this case, your counselor will discuss this with you, ask your permission, and if so granted, have you sign a release.

• Issues We Address

  Some of the issues we address at the Counseling Center include:

  • Abuse
  • Alcohol and drugs
  • Anger
  • Anxiety/panic
  • Body image
  • Communication skills
  • Depression
  • Eating concerns
  • Ethnic/cultural issues
  • Family concerns
  • Grief/loss
  • Life adjustment issues
  • Loneliness
  • Relationships
  • Roommate difficulties
  • Self-confidence issues
  • Sexuality/sexual orientation
  • Stress management
• Groups, Support Spaces & Wellness Workshops

  Telehealth Counseling Groups

  (Due to state laws, counseling groups are open to students who reside in Massachusetts and will be conducted virtually due to COVID.)

  The Counseling Center is offering confidential counseling groups that help people feel more connected and learn from each other. If you are interested in participating in one of the groups we are offering, please email us at counselingcenter@lesley.edu or call 617.349.8545 to schedule an initial meeting with the group leader.

  Bouncing Back: Exploring Your Relationship with and Understanding of Resilience. 

  This group is an opportunity to examine your relationship and understand resilience. Together in a supportive space, our group will share in a discussion how people are affected by and adapt to things like adversity, change, loss, and risk. Throughout the 8 weeks, we will develop or increase existing resilience to gain insight into how to cope adaptively and bounce back after changes, challenges, setbacks, and disappointments while at Lesley University. Contact eyates@lesley.edu if interested.

  Group Chat: Communication Skills, Boundaries and talking about the tough stuff

  The aim of this eight-week group is to provide a safer space to support each other and learn how to move past the mindset that setting boundaries means we’re being selfish or “mean”. Together we’ll learn how to identify our needs, set healthy limits and improve self-esteem. “End The Struggle, Speak Up for What You Need, And Experience the Freedom of Being Truly Yourself”. -Nedra Tawwab Glover   Contact nsmith33@lesley.edu if interested. 

  Interpersonal Process Group

  Learn about yourself through social interactions and engage through a here and now process centering open and honest communication. Contact counselingcenter@lesley.edu if interested. 

  Processing Grief & Loss

  This group offers a safe and supportive space for students to come together, to share stories, and to explore ways of coping following a death of a friend or family member. This group meets Fridays from 1:00 to 2:15 pm. Contact counselingcenter@lesley.edu if interested. 

  Recovering Together: Exploring Your Relationship to Food and Your Bodies

  Together in a supportive space, this group will share the difficulties and successes in the eating disorder recovery process and help build coping skills and insight addressing thought patterns that fuel eating concerns. Contact rmarsh2@lesley.edu if interested.  

  Spirituality & Well-Being

  In this eight-week group, participants will share philosophies and holistic practices which can help to amplify important values, heighten joy, and help to move through the tough times. A spiritual perspective can be one of the greatest supports to mental health and can contribute to an overall sense of well-being. This group meets Wednesdays from 12:00-1:00 pm beginning on February 16, 2022.  Contact counselingcenter@lesley.edu or tgreenfi@lesley.edu if interested. 

  Tolerating Transitions and Confronting Change: 

  This open group is an opportunity for students to support one another in addressing transitions. Students are encouraged to attend the group for a minimum of four times. Contact rmarsh2@lesley.edu if interested. 

  Virtual Support Spaces

  Open to all students no matter where you live: in-state, out-of-state or internationally and conducted virtually due to COVID.

  Support spaces will be monthly (unless otherwise indicated) where students can meet and connect with other students to share experiences and increase a sense of belonging at Lesley University. Contact us at counselingcenter@lesley.edu for the date, time, and Zoom links.

  BIPOC Support Space: 

  Dates: March 2, April 6, and May 4.

  Time: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm/

  The aim of the support group is to create a safer space for BIPOC students to explore and discuss their experiences on campus. Allowing for space and time to process the impact of current local and national social issues on our wellbeing.  

  Contact: Nasya Smith, Staff Counselor nsmith33@lesley.edu or Edward Yates, Staff Counselor eyates@lesley.edu 

  Register for the BIPOC Support Space.

  International Student Support Space

  Dates: March 11, April 8 and May 13

  This monthly virtual support space is for international students to come together, share their experiences, have conversations about life as an international student at Lesley, and to feel a sense of belonging and community.

  Contact: Tracy Greenfield, Associate Director, tgreenfi@lesley.edu

  LGBTQIA+ Support Space

  Dates: March 1, April 5 and May 3.

  Time: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

  A drop-in support space designed for undergraduate and graduate LGBTQIA+ students to gather and discuss topics related to sexuality and life at Lesley.  

  Contact: Rose Marsh, Staff Counselor rmarsh2@lesley.edu

  Register for the LGBTQIA+ Support Space.

  Parenting Support Space 

  Time: March 9, April 13 and May 11.

  This monthly virtual support space will be for students who are also parents to have the opportunity to meet each other, to discuss the joys and challenges of parenting while being a student, to share insights and resources, and to create a sense of belonging and community.

  Contact: Tracy Greenfield, Associate Director, tgreenfi@lesley.edu

  Register for the Parenting Support Space.

  Wellness Workshops:

  Anxiety Skill Based Workshop and Support Group:

  Dates: February 21, March 7, March 21, April 4, and May 2.

  Time: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

  This 60-minute skills-based workshop and support group aims to create an empathetic environment for students to collaborate with one another while exploring their current experiences with anxiety. Gain useful tools and skills to better manage anxiety and its symptoms by supporting each other.

  Register for the workshops.

  The Art of Saying No: Exploring Healthy Boundaries

  Dates: March 24 and April 21.

  Time: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

  This one time 60-minute virtual workshop will create opportunities for students to engage with each other as we explore how to create healthy boundaries within our self and our lives.

  Register for the workshops.

  Loving Kindness Compassion

  Dates: March 7, April 4 and May 2.

  Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

  Explore the benefits of incorporating self-care practices and compassion for others into your daily routines to support overall well-being and care for others. Sessions are the first Monday of each month.

  Register for the workshops.

  Taking Care of Self: Strategies for Stress Management

  Dates: March 10, April 7, and May 5.

  Time: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  

  Getting to know yourself by getting to know stress This one time 60-minute virtual workshop will provide students the opportunities to develop awareness and stress management skills to enhance supportive self-care practices.

  Register for the workshops.

• Additional Services

  In addition to short-term individual counseling, you can take advantage of these services.

  • Alcohol and other drug information, and preventive programming
  • Referrals for psychiatric medication services
  • Resource and referral services
  • Consultation to students, student groups, faculty, parents, and the Lesley community
• Referrals

  When the Counseling Center is unable to provide the type of service you need or request, your counselor will refer you to appropriate mental health professionals in the area.

  In this case, it’s important to know your insurance coverage and the benefits. If you would like us to help you with a referral, bring your insurance information with you.

  Get a list of local providers from your company's Customer Service Office or website. If you provide us with this list, we can review it to see if we can make recommendations.

  If you'd like to find a mental health professional on your own, we recommend HelpPro.com, an online National Mental Health Service Finder. It’s been in existence for over 10 years, and has a database of providers for individual and group therapy, medication assessment, and monitoring. You can search by location, area of specialty, theoretical approach, and payment options (for example, insurance type).

• Drug and Alcohol Screening, Resources, and Support

  The decision to use alcohol or other drugs, or to abstain, is a choice that all college students must face.

  Whether you’re already in recovery or are seeking to moderate your use, we want to support you in your decision-making process. Our guidance is non-judgmental and non-directive. We’ll help you determine what’s best for you.

  If you’re concerned about your use of alcohol or other drugs (or the use of someone close to you) please explore our resources, and reach out with questions or to set up an appointment.

  Confidential Consultation

  We offer confidential assistance and information, and we'll work to meet your needs. Feel free to offer feedback to help us make our services more useful to you and other students.

  Resources

  • Half of Us, sponsored by MTV, explores mental health and substance abuse issues of young people. Find young stars sharing their own stories.
  • Signs that someone is suffering from acute alcohol poisoning from the Mayo Clinic.
  • B.R.A.D addresses responsible drinking. A parent who lost her son to a "rite of passage" (over-drinking on his 21st birthday) started this organization to give young people information about the consumption of alcohol.
  • Go Ask Alice is an informative, non-judgmental advice column for college students and their questions about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Sponsored by Columbia University.
  • College Binge Drinking provides information about the myths, dangers, and issues surrounding college alcohol abuse.
  • National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism 
  • Mothers Against Drunk Driving 

  Support

  • Are you affected by the drinking of someone else? An Al-Anon support group meets on Lesley’s campus every Sunday morning at 11:00 am in University Hall. You'll find them on the third floor, Room 3-100.
  • Need another kind of support? Join an online support group and choose from more than 220 topics.
• Online Support Groups

  Each of these support groups provides services for anyone struggling. Each group may have a different focus.  

  • 7 Cups: Emotional support and wellness, and therapy options

  • Turn2Me : Various topics including anxiety, depression, and stress

  • Daily Strength : Anxiety support

  • DBSAlliance: Depression and bipolar support

  • ADAA Health Unlocked : Anxiety and depression support; HealthUnlocked Communities App

  • Open to Hope : Grief and loss support

  • Online Intergroup : Alcoholics Anonymous and recovery support

  • The Tribe : Peer-to-peer support

  • Support Group directory: Online support groups covering many subjects

  • Mental Health America (MHA) Directory of Support Groups: A directory to assist you in finding an online or local support group

• Mindfulness Apps

  • Headspace ($10/year for students): Personal guide to health and happiness with guided meditations, stories, soundscapes, and music.

  • Insight Timer: The largest free library of guided meditations for free. 

  • Mood Kit: One-of-a-kind app designed to help you apply effective strategies of professional psychology into your everyday life.

• Counseling Center Internship Program

  LUCC will be interviewing candidates for our 2022-23 internship training program in January 2022 and making final decisions in February.

  We ask candidates to submit a resume, cover letter, and two letters of reference to Tracy Greenfield at tgreenfi@lesley.edu. All materials may be submitted together in one document by the candidate or separately if references are being submitted directly.

  Please note that current and former Lesley students who are or have been clients of the LUCC are not eligible to apply for the internship program.