Counseling FAQs

What is counseling? And who needs it?

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 collaborative and confidential process between you and your counselor.

Anyone can go to counseling. Some topics you may want to discuss with your counselor are: feeling overwhelmed or stuck, depression or persistent sadness, anxiety, stress and time management, procrastination, concentration and motivational problems, relationship issues or family problems, substance abuse and finding off campus resources.

How do I make an appointment?

You can make an appointment by e-mailing counseling@necc.mass.edu or calling
978-556-3730. Please include what campus you would like to be seen on and dates/times most convenient for you.

Is everything my counselor and I discuss really confidential?

Yes. However, there are exceptions to a counselor’s confidentiality policy. These exceptions include:

• If you present a serious danger to yourself, another person or the college community.
• If you disclose that a minor child, dependent adult or elderly person is currently at risk for abuse or neglect from you or someone else.
• If a valid subpoena is issued on your records, or your records are otherwise subject to a court order or other legal process requiring disclosure.

Other than individual counseling, what are some other services the counseling center provides?

We offer programs and class presentations related to mental health and wellness. Past programs we have facilitated include:

• What is CAPS/counseling?
• Reducing mental health stigma
• Ways to cope with stress/enhance resilience
• Stress management/coping skills
• National Depression Screening Day
• Meditation groups
• National Eating Disorder & Body Image Awareness week
• Alcohol Screening Day
• Healthy Relationships

If you are part of a student club or organization and would like one of our therapists to do a presentation please feel free to contact us at 978-556-3730 or email counseling@necc.mass.edu.

What if I am experiencing a crisis and the counseling center is not available?

Because our counselors are not available 24/7, here some other resources you can utilize in emergency/crisis situations.

• Call 911
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
• YMCA Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence 877-509-9922 / Spanish 800-223-5001
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health Addiction Helpline 800-327-5050
• Get Help Now: Crisis Text Line Text “START” to 741-741

You may also visit our Counseling Resources for Students page for a list of local organizations to contact.