Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.
Eddie Rickenbacker (1890 - 1973)

The Counseling Office is dedicated to the enhancement of personal growth and is committed to the idea that an individual's emotional/psychological, spiritual, intellectual and physical well-being combine to make life satisfying. Professional counselors assist in helping students understand their abilities and potential, help students through changing circumstances and the transition from one stage of life to the next, and help students grow in the midst of personal difficulty.

A college environment is exciting and stimulating. It can also be stressful. Balancing classes, tests, work, relationships, family and friends can place new demands on time and energy. At times, students may feel overwhelmed. Many students find it helpful to discuss personal concerns with a professional counselor who takes the time to listen and understand. Counselors also assist students in setting goals, overcoming barriers, assessing resources and planning fulfilling, productive lives. A major tenet of counseling services is that personal awareness is an essential and integral part of a rewarding life.

HOTLINES

• 2nd Floor: 1-888-222-2228
  2nd floor is a helpline for young adults. Calls are taken from 9:00 A.M. until 12:00 A.M. everyday on all kinds of topics ranging from relationships, to coping with parents divorcing, to dealing with loss, among other issues. The helpline is staffed by Master's level professionals and trained staff who provide callers with resources and information regarding their concerns.
• Mountainside Hospital's 24-hour crisis hotline: 973-429-6969
  Mountainside Hospital has helpful crisis counselors on staff who are available to the local Caldwell College community.
• National Graduate Student Crisis Hotline. Immediate help for grads in crisis. 1-877-472-3457 or 1-877-GRAD-HLP. Graduate students facing overwhelming stress or despair can speak anonymously with a counselor specially trained in graduate issues.
• The National Sexual Assault 24-hour Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
  A free and confidential hotline for victims of sexual assault.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
  Depression is treatable and suicide is preventable. If you or someone you know is in emotional pain, call this 24-hour crisis hotline.
  For further information, view the YouTube video, “Suicide Affects Everyone."
• New Jersey Mental Health Cares: 1-866-202-HELP (4357) or visit www.njmentalhealthcares.org.
  Call this number for free, confidential mental health information and referrals. Help when you need it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Vet-to-Vet, 1-866-838-7654, a confidential toll-free hotline that was created for veterans who reside in New Jersey. Peer counselors are available to answer veteran’s calls seven days a week, 24 hours a day about dealing with distress and readjusting to civilian life. Clinicians respond to inquiries and make referrals related to handling bouts of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and frequent nightmares. Family members of vets are also encouraged to call this helpline.
• CONTACT, We Care, Inc.: 908-232-2880 and 908-301-1873
  Whether the caller is distraught over the challenges of mounting school work, stressed over a break-up, or even suicidal and without hope, CONTACT's highly trained volunteers listen and assist callers in finding answers.
• Essex County's 24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline (1-877-733-CARE)
  A team of staff and volunteer Rape Care Advocates are available for mobile dispatch to hospitals and police stations around the clock to assist victims as they go through the difficult procedures and decision-making process following an assault.

EVENTS

This office sponsors special programs and workshops and offers short-term individual and group counseling by appointment and drop-in. Contact with the counselor is confidential and information does not appear on transcripts or college records. Services are offered to all Caldwell College students free of charge.

Join us for the He Said, She Said Meetings every Monday, beginning on September 14 from 4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. We talk about all kinds of hot topics that are pertinent to college-aged men and women. All are welcome, and light snacks are provided.

Members of the Student Development Center will be hosting a festive outreach table at the Caribbean picnic on Wednesday, September 16 from 11:30 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. in the Newman Center Courtyard. Meet the incredible Student Development Center staff and win some exciting raffle prizes.

In recognition of Disabilities Awareness Month, the Counseling Office and Disabilities Services will be showing the film Mad Love on Monday, October 5 at 7:00 P.M. in the Alumni Theatre. This is a sexy and adventurous romance that deals with a young woman’s effort to overcome her bipolar depression.

In recognition of National Depression Screening Day, the Counseling Office and the Mental Health Association will be conducting free Mood Check-ups on Wednesday, October 7 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. in the Student Center Cafeteria Upper Lounge. All participants receive a free mood ring and can enter our exciting raffle.

On Wednesday, November 18 from 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. in the Student Center Upper Lounge, the Counseling Office will be hosting the Clothesline Project. View this powerful display of t-shirts that speaks out against domestic violence. Survivors of violence and friends and family members of survivors can create new t-shirts to be hung on the Clothesline.

On Monday, November 23 at 7:00 P.M., Bob Hall will present his entertaining and informative presentation entitled, "Nonviolent Sexuality: Making Peace with Passion."

WHAT IS COUNSELING?

Counseling is a process of becoming more aware of choices and alternatives in order to address a variety of concerns. The interaction between counselor and student is a cooperative effort to meet personal, social, and educational goals leading to a greater sense of choice and a deeper sense of self-confidence.

HOW CAN COUNSELING HELP?

Most students come for counseling when they find their usual ways of managing problems aren't working. Others are interested in enriching their lives by learning more about themselves. Some reasons for seeking counseling might include:

• Feeling lonely and without friends
• Roommate problems
• Anxiety over studying or taking tests
• Out-of-control behavior
• Sense of depression
• Difficulties with family or other relationships
• Over-sensitivity
• Problems with eating and drinking
• Balancing work and school
• Feeling down about one's self
• Lack of direction in personal goals

SERVICES

Short-term Personal Counseling
Depending on a student's needs, he or she can meet with a professional counselor for one or two visits or throughout the semester. All appointments are free and confidential.

Group Counseling
Short-term groups are an excellent means of addressing shared issues and concerns in a confidential setting. Successful groups that the Counseling Office has offered include:

• Relationships Group
• Women's Issues Group
• Men's Issues Group
• Children of Divorce Group
• Freshman Group
• Crisis Response Group

Workshops
The Counseling Office is available to conduct workshops for students on a variety of topics. Some of our workshops include:

• Stress and relaxation
• Time management
• Improving communication style
• Assertiveness training
• Recognizing signs of emotional distress
• Managing anger
• Dealing with life transitions
• Acquaintance Rape Prevention

SELF HELP RESOURCES

The Counseling Office's Self-Help Library contains a wide selection of books, audiotapes, videos, and pamphlets on a variety of mental health topics including, anxiety and stress management, sexual abuse, relationships, grief, eating concerns, personal growth, and other important issues. These materials are available to assist students in solving specific problems as well as to promote personal growth and development. Students can borrow these materials free of charge.

• Online Self Help Resources
• Audio/Video Self Help Resources
• Self Help Books Available in the Counseling Office Library

REFERRAL INFORMATION FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

If you are questioning whether a student might be a good candidate for receiving counseling, or if you need further information on making a counseling referral, please take a look at The Counseling Office Referral Guide for Faculty and Staff.

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT

Confidentiality and trust are essential to the counseling process. Consequently, information shared during counseling and the identity of counseling clients will not be disclosed to anyone without the student's express (usually written) consent.

Conditions requiring exceptions to confidentiality occur very infrequently, and they are discussed with prospective clients prior to beginning counseling.

MAKING AN APPOINTMENT

The Counseling Office is located on the second floor of the Newman Center. Appointments can be arranged by phone at (973) 618-3307, in person, or by completing the online appointment request form (click here). We are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Evening hours are by appointment only.

A staff member from the Counseling Office will contact you to confirm whether your desired appointment time is available. If that time slot is not available, another appointment time will be arranged. In the case of an emergency, please contact a counselor directly by phone or walk-in.

Urgency of need is always taken into consideration when scheduling. If you are dealing with an emergency after hours, please call the 24-hour crisis hotline at Mountainside Hospital at (973) 429-6969.