Frequently Asked Questions

Supportive counseling is a short-term, goal and solution-focused approach that helps students manage challenges and build skills to support their mental and overall wellbeing. It is not therapy or clinical treatment, but rather a way to address concerns in a safe, confidential, and supportive setting.

All currently enrolled students (taking a class) are eligible to use counseling services.

Students come to counseling for many different reasons; no problem or concern is too small! Common concerns include:

• To help manage stress and anxiety
• Academic pressure or time management struggles
• Relationship or family issues
• Depressive symptoms or mood changes
• Loss of motivation
• Loneliness or homesickness
• Grief or loss
• Self-esteem or identity questions
• Difficulty adjusting to college life
• Managing peer or family expectations
• Conflict resolution and communication skills

Yes. Counseling services are private and confidential and do not go on your academic record. It is also your choice to attend counseling sessions; no one at NCC can require you to attend. The only situations in which a counselor would make an exception to confidentiality are if you were at risk of harming yourself or another person, or in the case of abuse of a minor or older adult (child/elder abuse) or under a court order.

Counseling can help you feel more in control, less overwhelmed, and more confident in your ability to face challenges and be successful with your academic and personal goals. It can improve your emotional wellbeing, boost your academic performance, and support your personal growth. Many students find that even a few sessions can help them develop better coping skills, gain new perspectives, and feel more connected and supported during their time in college.

We offer both in-person and virtual appointments, depending on your preference and counselor availability. For virtual appointments, you will need privacy and an atmosphere free of distractions.

We do have some limits; below are services we do not provide:

• Long-term or ongoing therapy
• Psychiatric or medication management services (including prescriptions)
• Formal psychological testing or diagnostic evaluations.
• Court-ordered counseling, evaluations, or reports for legal matters or medical needs.
• Drug- and alcohol-related evaluations.
• After-hours crisis response or on-call services. If you are in crisis or at risk of harm to yourself or others, call 911 immediately, or use one of these resources:
• • Northampton County Crisis: 610.252.9060
  • Carbon, Monroe, Pike County Crisis: 570.992.0879
  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 or text PA to 988 or 741741

If your needs fall outside our scope (for example, you require ongoing therapy, specialized testing, or psychiatric medication), we will provide referrals to community resources or other providers who can meet those needs.

If you’re worried about the safety or well-being of another student, you don’t have to handle it alone. You’re welcome to contact Counseling Services to discuss your concerns, get advice on how to support your friend, and learn about available resources. While we may not directly reach out to the students, we encourage you to share our contact information so they can decide for themselves whether to come in. It is always the student’s choice whether or not to use counseling services. Your conversation with Counseling Services will be confidential, and a counselor can guide you on the best next steps to help ensure your friend knows support is available.

Remember: In case of an emergency or immediate safety concern, contact NCC Public Safety at 610.861.5588 or call 911 right away.

No, counselors are required to keep information confidential, which means that they can’t disclose this information to anyone else without your permission. Starting college presents many opportunities for new experiences. While some students choose to abstain from using alcohol or drugs, this period of novel independence and exploration may lead others to experiment with substances. NCC’s counseling department hopes to provide a safe and confidential space for students to share their experiences and receive nonjudgmental feedback, while promoting positive decision-making and decreasing risk-taking behaviors.