The therapist will listen closely to your concerns, possibly ask questions and provide support, perspective and suggestions for resources.
Community Therapists are available to all Brandeis undergraduate and graduate students. It is an appropriate fit for the following people:
Students who are not sure about counseling and wonder what it's like to talk with a therapist.
Students who are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a therapist.
Students who have a specific problem and would like someone with whom to talk it through.
Students who have a concern about a friend and want some ideas about what to do.
Students who are interested in increasing interpersonal connection or sense of belonging.
Students who would like to receive support in an environment that feels safe and comfortable.
The Community Therapists are available on a drop-in basis within your community. There is no need to make an appointment or register at the BCC. It is informal and short-term. Community Therapists are available to discuss any issues that you are managing. The therapists may refer you to the BCC for ongoing therapy if you and they decide that that may be a better fit.
If you believe you need to be seen sooner than the appointment you were given, it's best to call the BCC directly at 781-736-3730 and explain your situation .
Additionally, you can attend Urgent Care Hours at the BCC. Our urgent care hours are intended for students with urgent or emergent concerns that need immediate attention. For any additional concerns, please call the front desk at 781-736-3730.
Since regular counseling appointments are not available with Community Therapists, following up with the referral is a good idea. Unfortunately, the BCC does not provide open-ended counseling.
If your next appointment is not soon enough, it is best to contact your counselor directly to see if they can see you sooner.
Additionally, you can schedule an Urgent Care appointment at the BCC, Monday-Friday. Our urgent care appointments are intended for students with urgent or emergent concerns that need immediate attention.
The best thing to do is attempt to talk directly with your counselor and discuss the concerns. Counselors are eager to get your feedback, positive or negative. Often, an open conversation about your concern helps smooth out any wrinkles and gets things back on track. If you feel you cannot do this, you can call the BCC to request a meeting with the associate director to discuss a counselor change.
The information shared with Community Therapists is confidential and no information will be released without your consent. However, therapists may need to share information in a situation in which safety for yourself or others is a concern. More information can be found in the Community Therapy Student Agreement. If you have further questions about confidentiality, we encourage you to discuss them with a Community Therapist.