Department head(s)
Elizabeth (Beth) Feeney, Ph.D.
- Director, Counseling Service
The Counseling Service is here to support you as you navigate challenges during your time at MHC, from stress, anxiety, and depression to cultivating healthy relationships and overcoming barriers to reaching your goals. Counseling Service clinicians value all aspects of students' identities and use culturally sensitive and holistic approaches as they help students achieve their full potential and engage purposefully in the world.
Our services are free and confidential for all currently enrolled students. Learn more about our different services and how to schedule.
The Counseling Service offers a variety of services within a hybrid model of both in person and virtual appointments.
The Counseling Service currently has two psychiatric providers who are available by appointment for consultation and/or medication management.
Counseling has resources for finding a therapist, crisis resources, and helpful tips for management.
The Counseling Service is part of the Division of Student Life and supports the MHC mission by helping students address illness and other mental health challenges that impede their progress toward achieving their full academic potential and most purposeful engagement in the world. The Counseling Service is located in the Pattie J. Groves Health Center Building.
Counseling provides an opportunity for you to talk in a safe, confidential space with a professional trained to help you gain perspective on your behavior and relationships, change unhealthy thought patterns, express your feelings, and enhance communication skills. Students seek counseling for all kinds of reasons, including processing emotional experiences, relationship issues, academic concerns, sleep difficulty, identity questions and development, depression, anxiety, stress, family problems, eating and body image concerns, trauma, and more. All services are free of charge to currently enrolled students.
Counseling Service clinicians work from a brief therapy model focused on your presenting concerns. In your First Visit, you and your clinician will talk about whether your problems can be addressed in short-term therapy. If it seems that longer-term therapy would better meet your needs, the Counseling Service can help you to identify and connect with referral options for off-campus providers in the surrounding community on your health insurance panel.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you are struggling. Services are always available to currently enrolled students, no matter how much contact you’ve had with us in the past (including none!) We’re here to support you through difficult times.
Compassion
Students who come in for therapy may be experiencing stress, confusion, and/or emotional pain. We aim to provide a caring and comfortable atmosphere in which students will feel heard and validated.
Neutrality
We seek to provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment where students can share their concerns openly. We see students for a wide range of issues and we respect the fact that we all hold different beliefs, values, and perspectives.
Sensitivity to Difference
The Counseling Service values the diversity of the MHC community. We welcome students of all ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, body sizes, political beliefs, nationalities, abilities, and socioeconomic classes.
Teamwork
Successful therapy requires teamwork between student and clinician. It takes a great deal of strength to seek help, and we want to work with you to meet your therapy goals and increase your sense of satisfaction, both academically and personally. We can work together to help you regain your health and optimal functioning.
Confidentiality
Our clinicians respect your privacy and take confidentiality very seriously. We believe that counseling works best when students feel that they can be open and honest about their thoughts and feelings. We do not share any information about clients outside of the Counseling Service without your permission. Roommates, parents, friends, faculty, and deans will not know that you are being seen here without your permission to tell them.
Exceptions to confidentiality occur only under certain, very specific conditions, including:
The confidentiality policy will be reviewed with you during your first appointment at the Counseling Service. If you have any questions, please ask your counselor or call us for more information.
The Counseling Service supports students as they navigate challenges during their time at Mount Holyoke, from stress, anxiety, and depression to cultivating healthy relationships and overcoming barriers to reaching their goals.
Monday – Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm