Mental Health Counseling Services

Mission Statement: 

We are here to help MassBay students overcome interpersonal, emotional, and psychological barriers to academic success. 

Counseling is: 

• A confidential conversation with a trained mental health professional about a symptom, problem, relationship, family issue, or habit that you want to understand and change.
• A voluntary, collaborative process of self-discovery, insight, feedback, education, and action; whether you decide to return for more sessions is up to you.

Is our conversation confidential?
Yes. Your conversation with the counselor is private and confidential by law. Meeting notes are kept separate from your academic record. The counselor will explain the legal limits of confidentiality during your first meeting and you are encouraged to ask questions.

Can I see a counselor if I already have a mental health provider off-campus?
It depends. You should ask your provider if seeing a counselor at MassBay will work with your current treatment plan. We may ask you to fill out a release of information form so that we can collaborate with your current or recent providers. 

MassBay students have come in to talk about:

• Feeling overwhelmed or stuck
• Concerns about substance use or addiction 
• Depression and suicide prevention
• Stress, anxiety, and worry 
• Traumatic experiences, past or present 
• Relationship or family issues 
• Sexual orientation and identity 
• Gender and identity 
• Ethnicity, cultural identity, racial identity, and systems of oppression 
• Grief and loss of important relationships
• Concerns about eating or sleeping habits
• Procrastination, concentration, or motivation problems
• Difficulty adjusting to life at MassBay, Boston, or the United States
• Finding Off-Campus resources 

Jon Edwards, MA, LMHC - Assistant Dean  

Jon is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. 

Ann Whelan, MA, LMHC - Senior Associate Director / Internship Program Supervisor 

Ann is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. 

Jessica Post, MSW, LICSW - Counselor / Framingham & Ashland Specialist 

Jessica is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and holds a Master's degree in Social Work.  

Nina Shen, MA - Counselor / Multicultural Specialist 

Nina is a counselor and holds a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. 

Dave Lee, MA - Counselor / SUCCESS Liaison 

Dave is a counselor and a holds a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Carolina Rivarola - Counselor

Carolina is a counselor and holds a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. Hablo Español. 

Suzy Kajunski - Counselor

Suzy is a counselor and holds a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Graduate Counseling Interns 

Our Interns are counselors-in-training and Master's degree candidates in Mental Health Counseling.

• MassBay's Counseling Internship program meets the Masschusetts LMHC pre-Master's educational requirements. 

• We will begin accepting applications for the 25/26 academic year in December 2024.