Support for navigating college, life, and what's next
​You're balancing classes, work, friendships, dating and relationships, family expectations, and finances. Plus you are trying to figure out who you are and where you're headed in life.
It might also be your first time actually adulting. There is so much going on, and it can feel like everyone else has it together while you're just trying to get through the day.​
College can be exciting — and it can also feel overwhelming.
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If you're feeling stressed, anxious, or stuck, you don't have to navigate it alone.
Therapy can help if you're...
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Feeling overwhelmed by school or life
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Struggling with anxiety, stress, or burnout
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Experiencing depression, bed or couch rot, or a lack of motivation
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Having difficulty managing relationships or setting boundaries
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Adjusting to college or life after graduation
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Questioning your direction or feeling uncertain about the future
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Feeling lonely, homesick, or disconnected
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Managing perfectionism or self-doubt
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for College Students
How do I know if I should see a therapist or a counselor as a college student?
You don't have to be in crisis or have a mental health diagnosis to benefit from counseling. College can bring academic pressure, relationship challenges, loneliness, uncertainty about the future, financial stress, and major changes in your identity and independence. If you feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, disconnected, unmotivated, or like you're having a harder time managing life than you used to, counseling may be worth considering.
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You also don't need to know exactly what's wrong before reaching out. A first conversation can help you figure out what you're experiencing and whether counseling might be helpful.
What do college students go to counseling for?
College students seek counseling for many different reasons. Some of the concerns I commonly work with include:
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Anxiety, excessive worry, and stress
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Academic pressure and feeling overwhelmed
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Depression, low motivation, or feeling emotionally numb
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Burnout and difficulty keeping up with responsibilities
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Perfectionism and fear of failure
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Low self-confidence or feeling like you're not good enough
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Loneliness, homesickness, or feeling disconnected
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Friendships, dating, and relationship problems
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Difficulty setting boundaries
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Family expectations and conflict
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Adjusting to college or living away from home
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Questions about identity, purpose, or what comes next
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Uncertainty about graduation, careers, or the future
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Difficulty transitioning from college into adult life
You don't have to be experiencing a specific mental health problem to come to therapy. Sometimes you simply know that something isn't working and you want help figuring out what to do next.
Can counseling help with college stress and academic pressure?
Yes. Counseling can provide a place to step back from the constant demands of school and look at what's contributing to your stress. Together, we can work on understanding patterns, developing practical coping skills, managing anxiety, addressing perfectionism, setting boundaries, and finding ways to balance academics with relationships, work, rest, and other parts of your life.
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The goal isn't simply to help you get through the semester. It's also to help you develop skills you can continue using after college.
Do I need to have depression or anxiety to see a counselor?
No. Counseling isn't only for people with a diagnosed mental health condition.
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College is a major life transition, and you may want support with stress, relationships, motivation, confidence, identity, decision-making, or adjusting to increased independence. You can come to therapy because you want to understand yourself better, make a change, or have a place to talk through something you're struggling with.
What if I don't know what to talk about in therapy?
That's completely okay. You don't need to prepare a speech or have everything figured out before your first appointment.
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We can start with what's happening in your life right now—what feels difficult, what you've noticed changing, or what made you consider counseling. From there, we'll work together to identify what matters to you and what you would like to be different.
Is therapy only for college students who are struggling academically?
No. Academic problems are only one possible reason a student might seek counseling.
You may be doing well in school while struggling with anxiety, loneliness, relationships, family expectations, perfectionism, identity, motivation, or uncertainty about your future. Sometimes a student looks successful from the outside while feeling overwhelmed or disconnected on the inside.
Can I come to counseling in person in Bangor?
Yes, in-person counseling is available at the my office in Bangor, Maine. Secure telehealth counseling is available throughout Maine. Online counseling can be particularly convenient for college students who have busy schedules, live away from Bangor, or prefer meeting with a counselor from a private and comfortable location.
Can I see a counselor if I am away at college?
Yes, if you are physically located in Maine during the time of your telehealth appointment. I provide secure telehealth counseling throughout Maine, so students who attend college in Maine may be able to meet virtually rather than traveling to my Bangor office.
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If you're attending college outside Maine, you will need to find a counselor who is licensed in the state you are located in. Searching by the state on Psychology Today is a good start.
How often would I need to come to therapy?
That depends on your needs, goals, schedule, and what we decide together. Some people benefit from meeting weekly, while others may meet less frequently as they make progress.
We can talk about what frequency makes sense for you during the initial conversation and adjust as your needs change.
What happens at the first counseling appointment?
The first appointment is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and talk about what's bringing you to counseling. We'll discuss what's been happening, what you're hoping will change, and what you would like help with. There will probably be some paperwork to fill out as well.
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You don't need to have a perfect explanation of what's wrong. Part of the first session is figuring that out together and determining whether working together feels like a good fit.
What if I am nervous about starting counseling?
That's very common. Reaching out to a therapist can feel uncomfortable, especially if you've never been to counseling before or you're used to handling problems on your own.
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You don't have to make a long-term commitment just to ask questions. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so we can briefly talk about what's going on, what you're looking for, and whether counseling might be a good fit. It's also ok to message me questions.
Is counseling confidential?
Yes. Counseling is confidential within the limits of applicable laws and professional requirements. I'll explain confidentiality and its limits when we begin working together so you know what to expect. This also means you will need to sign a release if you want me to be able to speak with your family.
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If you're a college student who is concerned about privacy, you're welcome to ask questions about confidentiality before scheduling.
Can my parents make an appointment for me?
Parents and family members are welcome to reach out with questions or concerns, but counseling is ultimately a relationship between the client and counselor. If you're an adult college student, your participation in counseling and the information discussed in therapy are generally your own.
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If you're unsure how this works in your particular situation, we can talk about it during a consultation.
Do you accept insurance for college student counseling?
Yes, I am in-network with several insurance providers, including Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, Optum, UMR, UnitedHealthcare, Harvard Pilgrim, Community Health Options, Behavioral Healthcare Program, Tufts Health Plan, and Point32 Health. I also accept private pay and can provide you with a superbill to seek reimbursement from your insurance provider.
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Insurance coverage varies by individual plan, so being in-network with an insurance company does not necessarily mean a particular plan will cover your sessions. I'm happy to help you understand your options.
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My private-pay rate is $100 for a 50-minute session, and I can provide a superbill upon request. I can also explain what this all means during our consultation.
How do I get started with counseling as a college student?
The first step is simply to reach out. You can contact me with questions or schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. We can talk briefly about what you're experiencing, what you're looking for, and whether I might be a good fit.
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You don't need to know exactly what you need from therapy before contacting me.
I provide in-person counseling in Bangor, Maine, and secure telehealth counseling anywhere in Maine.
Contact Me Today
Some really big challenges, change, and growth all occur during college. It can feel stressful and exhausting trying to figure it all out.
Therapy offers you a space to slow down, sort through what's on your mind, and build skills that support you now and long after graduation.​​
Whether you're in your first semester, preparing to graduate, or anywhere in between, you deserve support. Let's talk and figure it out together. Contact me today.
