Counseling Services

Services and Confidentiality

Counseling helps students cope with challenges and make sound decisions. Students who are experiencing serious emotional difficulties, or who require specialized or longer term treatment, can receive referrals to professional services off campus. Services are free of charge. The staff follows strict professional codes of confidentiality. Counseling records are not part of University records.

Mission Statement

We seek to support students' health and well-being by providing confidential counseling services, programming, and outreach. Our mission is to assist college students in their cultivation of resilience, personal values, and their positive sense of agency. We are committed to providing compassionate services to help students manage the continuum of developmental adjustments and mental health concerns.

Common Reasons Students Seek Counseling

Everyone experiences challenges from time to time, and asking for support is a normal part of taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. College can be exciting, meaningful, and rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming as you balance academics, relationships, athletics, work, family responsibilities, and the many changes that come with this stage of life. Students come to the Office of Counseling Services for many different reasons, including managing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, academic or performance pressures, grief and loss, identity exploration, family or roommate challenges, self-esteem, body image, eating concerns, substance use, trauma, sexual assault, and life transitions. Others simply want a place to talk, gain perspective, build resilience, or learn new ways to navigate life's ups and downs. Whatever you're experiencing, you don't have to go through it alone. Our counselors are here to listen, support, and work alongside you in a welcoming, confidential, and nonjudgmental environment. Together, we can help you better understand what you're facing, develop effective coping strategies, strengthen your well-being, and support your personal, emotional, and academic success. No concern is too big or too small, we're here whenever you're ready.

If you'd like to connect with us, call 401-232-6045 and press # 1, email bcs@bryant.edu, or stop by the Office of Counseling Services to schedule an appointment.   

Setting up an appointment

Appointments are preferred. Please call, email, or set up an appointment in person!

Please review the following document to determine which type of appointment you need with Counseling Services. We understand that each situation is unique and cannot be fully described in this document, and that a feeling of emergency or crisis is self-defined.  We will respond accordingly based on your described level of urgency.

While you are waiting for your counseling appointment, you can also review the following document.

24/7 Mental Health Support & Emergencies

Mental health support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students can call (401) 232-6045 at any time and select Option 2 to speak with a support and crisis counselor. This service is available during and outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and university breaks.

Consider calling if you are experiencing:

• Anxiety, depression, or feeling overwhelmed
• A mental health or emotional crisis
• Thoughts of harming yourself or concern for someone else's safety
• A traumatic event or significant loss
• Relationship, academic, or personal stress
• Uncertainty about what to do or where to turn for support

24/7 Faculty & Staff Consultation

Faculty and staff are always welcome to contact the Office of Counseling Services during normal business hours to consult with an OCS clinician. In addition, 24/7 consultation is available by calling (401) 232-6045 and selecting Option 2. We encourage faculty and staff to use this resource whenever they have concerns about a Bryant student, whether on campus, at home, traveling, or studying abroad.

Consider calling if you are:

• Concerned about a student in distress
• Unsure how to respond to a student's behavior or disclosure
• Seeking guidance on supporting or referring a student
• Managing an urgent student mental health concern

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing a behavioral health emergency, additional resources include:

• Bryant Department of Public Safety (DPS): (401) 232-6911 (for immediate medical or safety concerns)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• BH Link (24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Center): (401) 414-5465; 975 Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914
• Your nearest emergency department or call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.

Stress Management Workshops

The Office of Counseling Services (OCS) offers interactive Stress Management Workshops that faculty can request for their classes. These engaging, evidence-informed presentations equip students with practical strategies to manage stress, improve focus, build resilience, strengthen group work skills, and support overall academic success.

Workshops are tailored to the needs of your course or student population and are available throughout the semester in 30-, 45-, or 60-minute formats, based on staff availability.

Workshop topics may include:

• General Stress Management
• Test Anxiety
• Public Speaking/ Presentation Anxiety

Request a Workshop

Faculty interested in scheduling a workshop should complete and submit the Stress Management Workshop Request Form to bcs@bryant.edu. Please submit requests at least 2–3 weeks in advance whenever possible. OCS is happy to tailor presentations to meet the unique needs of your students.

Headspace at Bryant University

Free for the Bryant Community

Bryant University provides free Headspace access for all students, faculty, and staff. Simply sign up with your Bryant email address to access evidence-based tools that support mental health, sleep, focus, stress management, resilience, athletic performance, and overall well-being anytime, anywhere. Headspace is available on your phone, tablet, or computer.

Whether you need to prepare for exams, improve sleep, manage stress, improve athletic performance, build healthier habits, or take a mindful break, Headspace has resources to support you.

What's Included

Your free membership includes:

• Guided meditations for all experience levels
• Self-guided programs for stress, anxiety, resilience, relationships, and personal growth
• Sleep meditation, relaxing sounds, and bedtime exercises
• Mindfulness, breathing, and grounding exercises
• Focus and productivity tools
• Mindful movement and stretching
• Quick "SOS" exercises for challenging moments
• Self-guided programs to aid athletic performance
• Hundreds of short sessions that fit into any schedule

Benefits

Research suggests mindfulness and meditation can help:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Improve sleep
• Increase focus and concentration
• Build resilience
• Enhance emotional well-being
• Support academic and athletic performance

Getting Started

1. Visit headspace.com or download the Headspace app.
2. Create an account using your Bryant email address.
3. Start exploring hundreds of wellness resources, for free!

Student Support Network (SSN)

The Student Support Network is seeking members from the Bryant Community who are interested in helping others. The SSN’s main goal is to support you in looking out for one another. When students experience difficulty, they are most likely to turn to their friends and peers for support. Bryant’s SSN training program aims to equip you with the tools and confidence to support and help your friends when they need you. We will cover:

• Essential interpersonal skills such as active listening and empathy
• Recognizing and responding to signs of distress and crisis
• Ways to support friends and connect them with resources that can provide help

The sessions are highly interactive and focus on real issues and concerns.  The training sessions are 1-2 hours, once a week for 6 weeks. Attendance is important, and students are asked to make a commitment to attend all 6 sessions.

There is no obligation following the training. The primary goal of SSN is to expand and enrich the campus support network so every member of the Bryant community has people looking out for him or her—and all know where to go for help when things get tough.

What are the benefits of becoming an SSN member?

• Learn valuable social/support skills that will enhance your personal and professional relationships. It will serve you far beyond Bryant.
• Become a skilled and knowledgeable resource to help your friends and peers
• Have the opportunity to meet new people within the Bryant University community

Am I right for SSN?

Yes!  If you care about Bryant and your friends and want to take part in this training, then you are right for SSN. Many SSN members are seen as leaders on campus, in their organizations, and among their friends. However, these skills are for everyone! They will not only serve you while here at Bryant, but in your relationships and career as you move forward.

If you're interested in the SSN training series, the next step is to complete the quick online SSN Application. If the next session doesn’t fit your schedule, we can keep your information on record for a future session. Once you’ve applied, we'll contact you to set up a short interview prior to your training to get to know you and complete some paperwork. 

Programs Offered

Counseling Services offers wellness programming including meditation, yoga, lunch discussion sessions, and workshops. Current programming is available on the University Events Calendar.