Personal Counseling

An exterior shot of a campus building on a sunny day

What We Do

We provide accommodations and support services to students with disabilities and serve as a resource for faculty and staff to create learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive and welcoming.

We value inclusion and equal access to our programs and activities and are committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation.

Who We Serve

We serve students who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as learning or working. The impairments may be temporary or permanent.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of accommodations and support services to meet your individual needs. Some of the most common accommodations include extended time for exams, assistance with note taking and use of assistive technology. Our support services include academic coaching, evaluation and training in the use of assistive technology and consultation with faculty, campus offices and community organizations.

Confidentiality

Our Services are strictly confidential. We are committed to ensuring that your information is maintained as confidential as permitted by law. Any information collected is used for your benefit.

How to Apply

To obtain accommodations and support services, please complete the following:

Submit an application for disability services: Personal Counseling Intake Form (after you submit the Intake form, you will be automatically redirected to the Informed Consent form)
Upload current documentation of your disability: Personal Counseling Informed Consent . Minimally, your documentation should:
- Name and describe your disability;
- Include a description of how it impacts your learning;
- Identify accommodations you received in the past;
- Make recommendations for current accommodations; and
- Be completed by a licensed or otherwise properly credentialed professional.
Schedule an appointment with us to let us know about your plans and educational goals and to develop your accommodation plan. We are available to meet in person or virtual.
If you’re new to the College, please allow at least four to six weeks for this process to be completed.
Work as a partner with us to make the most of your experiences at BCC.

More Information

About BCC

BCC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, maternity leave, military service and national origin in its educational programs or employment pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 151B and 151C, Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act, and regulations promulgated thereunder, 34 C.F.R. Part 100 (Title VI), Part 106 (Title IX) and Part 104 (Section 504).

All inquiries concerning application of the above should be directed to the Director of Human Resources and Affirmative Action Officer, and Coordinator of Title IX and Section 504, located in the Susan B. Anthony Annex (A21) at 413-236-1022. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Community Colleges’ Affirmative Action Plan, which is available in the Human Resources Office, contains a full explanation of this specific policy.
Community Resources for Mental Health Issues and Wellness

Resources in Berkshire County

Berkshire County resources

The Mental Health and Resilience Resource Guide
This comprehensive guide, a companion to BCC's December 2020 Mental Health Conference, Hope and Resilience in the Berkshires, contains a wealth of resources on mental health, organized by conference topic.

Helpful Websites

The Mental Health Coalition
The Mental Health Coalition's Resource Library is made available by our alliance of the leading mental health organizations. Browse this comprehensive, searchable database to learn about mental health, help a loved one, learn coping skills and seek support.

Mass Help
Mass Help connects people to the help they need. Serving all of Massachusetts, Mass 2-1-1 connects people with community, health and disaster services through a free 24/7 stigma-free phone service and searchable database.

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL)
The Massachusetts BHHL is here to connect you directly to clinical help, when and where you need it.

Critical Mental Health Resources for College Students
This resource provides college students with quality information on maintaining good mental health and helps with identifying mental health issues.

Online Resource for College Mental Health
Your confidential resource for college mental health and substance use information. Learn more about how to protect your own emotional health and what to do if you or a friend is struggling.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.

The Jed Foundation
The Jed Foundation works to reduce emotional distress and prevent suicide among college students. They provide resources and work to reduce the stigma students have when asking for help.

National Institute of Mental Health
Learn about mental health issues you or a friend might be struggling with. Mental health diagnoses are listed to help you identify specific symptoms you are experiencing. Information from anxiety to suicide is available.

BIPOC Mental Health Support

BIPOC Mental Health Coalition (PDF)
The Mental Health Coalition is dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of the BIPOC community, and we know that society's work is far from over in creating culturally informed, quality mental health equity for all. In this document you will find specific mental health resources for the BIPOC community.

LGBTQ

The Trevor Project
Providing confidential support and resources for LGBTQ youth in crisis, 24/7.

Treatment and Recovery

Alcohol Screening
Learn about alcohol and health, how to recognize a problem and determine what low-risk drinking is.

In the Rooms
In The Rooms is a free online recovery tool that offers 130 weekly online meetings for those recovering from addiction and related issues. Embracing multiple pathways to recovery, it includes all 12 Step, Non-12 Step, Wellness and Mental Health modalities.

Substance Use and Mental Health
Become informed about substances, treatment programs, and campaigns addressing the needs of every age group.

Treatment and Recovery Resources - BOAPC
Overcoming addiction can be difficult but recovery is possible. Here is a list of different resources around the area to help you, or a loved one, on the journey to recovery.

Sexual Violence and Assault Prevention

Elizabeth Freeman Center
The Elizabeth Freeman Center offers emergency services, safety planning, advocacy, counseling and support. Specialized support for immigrant, LGBTQ and child survivors as well. All services are free and confidential.

Jane Doe Inc.
The Massachusetts Coalition against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Jane Doe Inc. brings together organizations and people committed to ending all violence against women.

Prevent Connect
Prevention Connection is a national on-line project dedicated to the primary prevention of violence against women.

Note: Information found on these websites should not be considered official BCC information. While we hope that you will find these websites helpful, you should know the information, views and opinions contained within them are strictly those of the authors.