Scheduling Your First Appointment at Counseling Services

To make an appointment with one of our counselors, call the health services main number: 413.559.5458. You will likely speak to one of our office staff, who will easily set you up with an intake appointment. If you have a preference for a particular therapist, you should ask for that person and, if there is an opening that fits your schedule, you will be scheduled for that time slot. You are likely to get in more quickly, however, if you are able to be flexible about who you see.

We try to get people in for their first appointments within the week. During our busiest times (generally the last 6 weeks of the semester), scheduling can be tighter, and it may be hard to find an open appointment time that fits your schedule. In these cases, you may need to be flexible with your schedule and take the first appointment that is offered. In the case of an emergency, we can see people the same day. 

A first appointment with a counselor can be seen as a consultation. Your therapist will likely ask you about your current concerns and what led you to want to speak to a counselor. He or she may also ask bit about your family background and about previous life experiences that may be influencing the current situation. Additionally, you should take this time to discuss what you are hoping for from the consultation and what type of support you believe will work best for you.