Counseling at CAMHS

At the intake session, the counselor will ask questions to learn about who you are and the presenting concerns you’d like to address. They will also ask about any previous mental health history to help formulate a treatment plan.

An intake session is followed by one or more counseling sessions, typically 2-3 weeks apart or monthly. The number of sessions is determined based on your needs, schedule, and your counselor’s recommendation. The counseling sessions are confidential and take approximately 45 minutes. Intakes and follow-up counseling sessions are typically in-person. Depending on certain circumstances, some sessions can be conducted via secure Zoom video conferencing.

Our clinicians can offer coping skills and support to help with a variety of concerns, including stress, adjustment to college, anxiety, depression, mood swings, difficulties with focus and concentration, eating concerns, loneliness and isolation, grief, relationship problems, sexuality, social/racial/cultural concerns, traumatic experience, managing a chronic health condition, addictive behaviors, perfectionism, procrastination, and concerns about uncertainty, the future, and career.

Many people seek counseling for personal growth and/or because they need help managing life’s challenges. Seeking help from a licensed professional is a way to work through a personal challenge.

A primary factor in the effectiveness of therapy is the true trusting relationship between the therapist and client. This often takes time to develop. In the CAMHS short-term model of care, we do our best to offer counseling in a timely manner, address the current issue or concern, and try to honor student preferences. While clinicians may have areas of expertise in various modalities, CAMHS counselors are generalists who are experienced and trained in working with the university population.

If a student requests another clinician, however, an Access Coordinator can support the student. Similarly, if a therapist in the community does not feel like a good fit, a student can seek another provider who takes their health insurance plan.

Some students find that their episode of care at CAMHS leads to resolution of their concerns and/or achieving their goals for treatment. Other students opt to transition to longer-term therapy or to services that utilize a particular treatment modality. Students interested in continuing with services outside of CAMHS will be reconnected with an Access Coordinator, who will provide support and guidance in finding appropriate providers.

To get started, call the CAMHS front desk at (617) 495-2042 or schedule an initial consultation via the HUHS Patient Portal, even if you are not sure if we can help. We will connect you with the right support. We take a compassionate approach to helping you learn coping skills and improve your overall wellbeing at Harvard.