Holyoke Community College
About HCC

HCC COUNSELING SERVICES

INTRODUCTION:

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of Counseling Services is to assist students define and accomplish personal and academic goals.

Counseling at HCC:

Holyoke Community College offers counseling services to all HCC students to assist in educational, career, and personal/social development. Counseling Services offers a supportive learning environment to help students overcome barriers to successful college performance and grow toward attaining a satisfying and meaningful lifestyle.

A staff of professional counselors assists students in exploring their educational and career goals, planning their educational programs, and identifying the various demands and implications of college life. Services are provided individually, and in groups.

Services such as psychological testing, clinical diagnosis and treatment, psychotherapy or family therapy are not provided by the college. Should a student require assistance beyond the scope of college counseling services, referrals are made to appropriate community agencies.

The counseling staff utilizes the ethical standards of recognized professional organizations. Accordingly, each individual’s right to privacy is maintained.

To make an appointment to see a counselor, contact the Counseling Services secretary in Frost 233 or call 413-522-2232.

The HCC Counseling Staff maintains strong ties with community mental health agencies and refers students for assistance with problems that are outside the scope of college counseling.

CONFIDENTIALITY
Counseling contacts are confidential. This means that any information, feelings, or opinions that you share with your counselor is kept strictly private and will not be revealed to others without your prior written permission.

However, according to state law, there are several exceptions to this principle of confidentiality of which you should be aware. These exceptions include the intent to harm yourself or others, child or elder abuse or neglect, and certain court ordered information.

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HOW TO CONTACT US

STUDENT SELF-REFERRALS

What services do counselors provide?

What are some of the reasons why students come to see a counselor?

What should I do if I decide I want to see a counselor?

Do I need to tell the person making the appointment why I want to talk to the counselor?

Do I have to pay for this service?

What services do counselors provide?

Counselors can help with a variety of concerns, such as:

•Academic counseling
•Personal counseling
•Time management and study skills assistance
•Assessment of learning styles
•Career counseling and exploration of career paths
•Strategies for personal growth and development
•Adjustment to life crises

What are some of the reasons why students come to see a counselor?

There are lots of reasons why a student may wish to speak with a counselor. Some of the personal reasons for seeing a counselor are:

•Declining interest in activities or in socializing with others
•Inability to concentrate; reduced ability to cope with stress
•Self-deprecation or blame; exaggerated feeling of guilt
•Behavior that is troublesome to self or others, such as increased use of alcohol or other substances
•Relationship problems
•Preoccupation with food, excessive exercise or other problems related to food and eating
•Excessive fears or unusual anxiety
•Excessive absences from classes or failing grades
•Inability to organize and prepare assignments.

What should I do if I decide I want to see a counselor?

Counseling Services are located in FR 233. Walk-in services are usually available for situations that require immediate attention. However, an appointment is preferable.

Students may come by the office to make an appointment or call 552-2232. An appointment can usually be scheduled within a few days.

Do I need to tell the person making the appointment why I want to talk to the counselor?

No, but the secretary may ask you if it is for a specific problem, such as withdrawal, class scheduling or a personal issue in order to allot the amount of time needed for the appointment. You may just say that you wish to talk to the counselor in person to explain your need. If the situation is urgent, please let the secretary know that.

Do I have to pay for this service?

No, there is no extra fee charged for Counseling Services on campus. However, Counseling Services can provide only short-term intervention. If long-term psychotherapy is needed, the counselor can help you find a therapist in the community who can accept payment through your health insurance or who offers a payment schedule based on your income.

Link to Counseling Staff

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FACULTY REFERRAL

What services do counselors provide?

What are some of the reasons for referring a student to Counseling Services?

How should I approach a student about seeing a counselor?

What should I do when a student’s behavior disrupts the class?

What services do counselors provide?

Counselors can help with a variety of concerns, such as:

•Academic counseling
•Personal counseling
•Time management and study skills assistance
•Assessment of learning styles
•Career counseling and exploration of career paths
•Strategies for personal growth and development
•Adjustment to life crises

What are some of the reasons for referring a student to Counseling Services?

There are lots of reasons why you might suggest a student see a counselor, including:

•Declining interest in activities or in socializing with others
•Inability to concentrate; reduced ability to cope with stress
•Self-deprecation or blame; exaggerated feeling of guilt
•Behavior that is troublesome to the student or others, such as increased use of alcohol or other substances
•Relationship problems
•Preoccupation with food, excessive exercise or other problems related to food and eating
•Excessive fears or unusual anxiety
•Excessive absences from classes or failing grades
•Inability to organize and prepare assignments.

How should I approach a student about seeing a counselor?

•Always address your concerns with the student in private.
•Let the student know your intent is to help her/him achieve success in college.
•Show genuine human interest while sharing your specific concerns about the student’s actions or reactions in class.
•Contact Counseling Services and ask to speak with one of the counselors ahead of time, if desired, to discuss a strategy for approaching a student.
•You may be able to facilitate the referral by encouraging the student to call for an appointment while in your office. Sometimes it is less threatening to the student if the instructor calls to see if a counselor is available, and then walks over to the counselor’s office with the student.
•The student can call one of the counselors directly or contact Counseling Services in FR224 (ext. 2232) to make an appointment.
•Walk-in services are usually available for situations that require immediate attention. However, an appointment is preferable.
•Keep in mind, a student may not act immediately on your suggestion. S/he may need time to think about making an appointment. If the situation does not appear critical, gently inquire about the situation later.

What should I do when a student’s behavior disrupts the class?

•Inappropriate behavior can be distracting for the instructor and students. Students need to be informed of what is expected of them in the classroom. It is advisable for faculty members to clearly inform students of behavioral expectations at the beginning of the semester.
•If a problem arises, speak to the student privately after class.
•When the problem persists, refer to the Student Discipline Policy in the HCC Policy Guide.
•In cases requiring immediate action for safety, request assistance from Campus Police at ext. 2211 or by pressing “0”.
•If you are not sure if a problem is a disciplinary or counseling issue, please contact us to discuss the situation.

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COUNSELING STAFF

Counseling Services is located in FR 224, (ext. 2232). The office is open

Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Evening appointments are also available upon request.

The Counseling Staff is a team of people with diverse backgrounds and interests who are ready to help in whatever ways they can.

Kathleen Keough

Karen Fagan Riedl

Jossie Valentín

KATHLEEN KEOUGH

FROST 238 – 413-552-2375 – kkeough@hcc.edu

Hello.
I join with the HCC administration, faculty and staff in offering you the services you need to reach your academic and personal goals. I look forward to supporting and empowering you to meet any obstacle that may get in the way of your academic success. The experience I bring to HCC comes for many years of walking with and supporting students of all ages in meeting the challenges they face in reaching their personal and professional goals. Six of the best years of my professional life were spent working with students at the Newman Center at UMASS Amherst. I have also worked for many years as a counselor in the field of behavioral health. I join with my colleagues at HCC in offering you the support you may need to make your community college experience a positive one. Please stop by Frost 238 and say hello. I look forward to meeting you.

EDUCATION AND LICENSURE

•Bachelor of Arts, Elms College, Chicopee, MA
•Master of Religious Education (MRE), Seattle University, Seattle, WA
•Master of Social Work (MSW), Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, MA
•Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), MA

KAREN FAGAN RIEDL

FROST 234 – 413-552-2786 – kriedl@hcc.edu

Hi, and welcome to the Counseling Services web site.
My name is Karen, and I have been at HCC as an adjunct faculty member since 1993 and as a counselor since January, 2000. Prior to coming to HCC, I worked at the Massachusetts Department of Social Services and a variety of health care agencies as a clinical social worker. My greatest satisfaction comes from working with students to help them figure out the best ways that they can succeed in college and life by using their challenges as assets instead of barriers. I am particularly interested in working with survivors of abuse and violence, and military Veterans and their families. Stop by to say hello or to chat about anything that is on your mind. I’d also like to hear your ideas about how we can make HCC a better place to grow and learn.

EDUCATION AND LICENSURE

•Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Therapy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
•Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Counseling, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
•Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Connecticut School of Social Work, West Hartford, CT
•Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), MA

JOSSIE VALENTIN

FROST 236 – 413-552-2829 – jvalentin@hcc.edu

Hola! My name is Jossie and I joined the HCC Counseling Services department in April 2006. Some of my previous work experiences include working at the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow, MA and in a substance abuse residential treatment setting. I am originally from Puerto Rico and am fully bilingual in English and Spanish. I meet many of our Spanish speaking HCC students through the language and culture that we share. My background in substance abuse work has allowed me to meet with many of our students who are struggling with alcohol and/or drug addiction and assist them in making some changes in their lives. After all, my goal is to assist all HCC students throughout their academic and personal journey in college. Come by and see me so we can talk about how your time at HCC can offer you some benefits that you might not know about yet!

EDUCATION AND LICENSURE

•Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
•Master of Science (MS) in Forensic Psychology, American International College, Springfield, MA
•Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), MA

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SELF HELP

Pamphlets:
The link below will take you to the University of Chicago’s website containing an extensive library of studies and reading material on a number of subjects relating to academic, personal and mental health issues. Some of the topics include study problems, time management, relationship issues, anxiety, substance abuse, and depression, just to name a few.

However, it should be noted that the material provided should only be taken as a suggestion and does not replace qualified professional help. If after reading this material you feel you need professional assistance, please contact our Counseling Staff.

HCC takes no responsibility for damages caused by the use or misuse of this information. By clicking this link, you agree to this.


http://www.dr-bob.org/vpc/


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Online Mental Health Resources

National Mental Health Screenings
This website offers screening tools for several mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and alcohol use/abuse: To access the screenings, use the keyword, hccscreenings. If the screening identifies any areas of concern, contact Counseling Services for assistance in seeking support and treatment. Please note that HCC has no control over the content and use of this website.

Active Minds
Active Minds is a national organization dedicated to reducing the stigma of mental illness on college campuses. It supports student-run mental health awareness, education and advocacy.

Ulifeline
A program of the Jed Foundation, Ulifeline is an anonymous, confidential, online resource center dedicated to providing college students with information about mental health and suicide prevention.

Revolution Online College Mental Health Fair
This website has the latest information on mental health resources sponsored by 10 national mental health organizations.

Half of Us
This site has mental health resources for college students featuring videos of real people.

Campus Blues
A site for social networking and informational resources to foster mental health.

MassResources
A free online resource for Massachusetts residents in need of housing, food, health care, and other basic services.

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