Student Counseling

Welcome to Hastings College Counseling – Support for College Students

College is an exciting time of growth, but it can also bring unexpected challenges. Whether you're adjusting to campus life, feeling overwhelmed by stress, or navigating personal issues, seeking support is a strong step toward taking care of yourself.

Hastings College Counseling is here to offer the help you need, every step of the way!

We offer a welcoming, confidential space where you can work through any challenges you’re facing. Our counseling services are designed to meet the unique needs of college students, and we specialize in helping with:

Life Transitions: College life brings lots of changes, and adjusting can be tough. Whether you're managing academic pressure, personal growth, or shifting relationships, we can help you build the resilience and clarity needed to navigate these transitions.

Depression & Anxiety: Many students experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress during their time in college. Through our work together, we can help you understand and manage these emotions so you can feel more balanced and in control.

Neurodivergence: If you’re navigating ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent traits, we provide specialized support tailored to your experience. Together, we’ll focus on strategies that help you thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Healthy Relationships: Whether you’re dealing with family dynamics, friendships, or romantic relationships, healthy connections are essential for well-being. We offer guidance on building positive relationships and establishing strong boundaries.

Trauma Recovery: If you've experienced trauma, healing is possible. We offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy to help you process and move forward from difficult experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

A combination of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), solution-focused therapy, and EMDR are used to provide tools and strategies that are tailored to your specific needs. These evidence-based approaches can help you gain insight, manage your emotions, and work through challenges in a constructive way.

We're here to support you through your college experience and help you achieve your goals. 

If you're ready to take the first step toward feeling better, don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to help!

Confidentiality
Hastings College maintains strict confidentiality  at all times.

No information can be released without formal authorization from the student. If you would like your counselor to release information to a specific person, physician, or agency, you will need to complete a Release of Information form.

All counseling  records are kept separate from other college records and are accessible only by Counseling Services staff members.

Information cannot be released without your written authorization, except if required by law. Records may be released without your consent if there is: (a) a risk that you may harm yourself or others; (b) suspicion of child abuse or neglect; or ( c) a court order. Reasonable efforts will be made to inform you if such information about you is to be released.

Non-Mandatory Reporters
Hastings College counseling professionals are non-mandatory reporters.  If you are a victim/survivor of a stalking/harassing/assaultive incident, we can help you to identify the resources available to you; including formal (reporting) and informal processes (non-reporting) as well as therapeutic assistance.

College is a time of transition for young adults and their parents. Typical adjustment issues for students include living arrangements, roommates, academic workload, time management and homesickness. In-person and online counselors are experienced and caring mental health professionals who offer individualized and confidential counseling services to Hastings College students. This section is intended to provide you with information about our services and ways we can be helpful to you and your student.

How can counseling services help parents?
Counselors are available to speak with parents by phone or in person by appointment regarding concerns or questions they may have about their student. We are able to discuss specific services the counseling center offers as well as helping parents obtain referrals to clinicians and resources within the community.

What services are offered?

• Individual counseling and consultations for students
• Group counseling as needed
• Educational Programs
• Substance abuse education and referral to services
• Brief psychological evaluations

What do services cost?

• All services are free to enrolled Hastings College students.
• We do need parents to complete our consent for treatment of a minor form. 

What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality is an important component of counseling relationships. All services provided to students are confidential. Law prevent therapists from sharing information regarding a student’s counseling without their permission. However, confidentiality does not prohibit therapists from discussing ways parents can be helpful to their son or daughter with issues they may be facing.

Non-Mandatory Reporters
Hastings College counseling professionals are non-mandatory reporters.  If you are a victim/survivor of a stalking/harassing/assaultive incident, we can help you to identify the resources available to you; including formal (reporting) and informal processes (non-reporting) as well as therapeutic assistance.

As a faculty or staff member at Hastings College it is of the highest importance that we recognize and offer support to students who may be struggling with mental health issues. The information below may be helpful in potentially identifying students who may need to be referred to counseling services.

Should I be worried about a student?
If you have concerns about a student, we would encourage you to contact the Student Engagement Team, the Counseling Services office and/or complete a student concern report by clicking here.

Signs that a student may be in distress are:

• Chronic tardiness and/or lack of attendance
• Incomplete Assignments
• Diminished motivation and/or lack of attention in class
• Poor hygiene
• Irritable, argumentative and/or disruptive in class
• Low and/or elevated mood
• Withdrawn from peers
• Excessively anxious, worried or stressed
• Fatigue
• Self-destructive thoughts or behaviors
• Threatening behavior toward others

How can I help a student?

• Be an active listener, be calm, offer comfort and support
• Remind the student that they aren’t alone
• When issues are out of your realm  as faculty/staff provide student with referrals and resources
• Follow through and ensure the individual got the appropriate help
• Consult with the counseling center

What about confidentiality?
Counseling center staff can consult with faculty and staff about their concerns regarding students. However, the counseling center doesn’t divulge information we receive from the student without their permission.

Non-Mandatory Reporters
Hastings College counseling professionals are non-mandatory reporters.  If you are a victim/survivor of a stalking/harassing/assaultive incident, we can help you to identify the resources available to you; including formal (reporting) and informal processes (non-reporting) as well as therapeutic assistance.