Individual and group counseling and psychotherapy. 

Psychiatric consultation, evaluation, and referral. 

Educational and career planning and decision-making. 

Workshops and training groups for personal growth and/or individual skill building. 

Personality, intelligence, and career interest testing.  

Reference books on graduate and special undergraduate programs. 

Self-help literature, books, videos and tapes. 

Consultation to faculty and student groups on issues of student development and adjustment, planning of educational programs, and organizational development. 

Training for student groups in communication, leadership, time management, team building,etc.

All services of the Counseling Center are performed in the strictest confidence and without charge. 

Limitations of Our Services 

Our services are short-term.   We focus on helping students be successful in the student role and on crisis intervention.  

Student entering college with previously diagnosed mental health conditions should stay in treatment with their current provider(s), planning ahead and scheduling appointments during visits home.  They should also schedule an appointment at the UMD Counseling Center at the start of the school year and get to know one of our counselors.  The counselor can help with adjustment to college during that crucial first semester and will consult with treatment providers back home (with a signed release, of course) to help ensure the student stays well and has someone local to turn to should any emergency arise.   We are not equipped to become the primary care provider for chronic conditions or situations requiring long-term care.    We do offer several groups each semester that would be appropriate adjunct treatment and another source of support for students in long-term individual treatment off-campus.

Students coming to UMass Dartmouth from far away and therefore needing to find local mental health care should contact the Counseling Center during the summer and ask for a referral list of local providers.   There is something of a shortage of psychiatrists in the local area and waiting times for an appointment run from 6 weeks to 6 months.  The supply of local psychotherapists is greater and many private practitioners do not have waiting lists.

Student Referrals to the Counseling Center 

First, the faculty member should personally talk to the individual student and refer him/her to the Counseling Center.   Faculty frequently call to schedule an appointment for the student or call and then walk the student over to the Counseling Center, if the situation appears serious.

The faculty member can assure the student that his/her disclosures will be completely confidential and do not become part of his/her file at the University. 

If there is a behavior problem in the classroom, the first appropriate level of intervention is for the instructor to clarify and set proper behavior limits. If the student exceeds the established limits and/or finds it difficult to function, the instructor should recommend that the student seek assistance at the Counseling Center to explore the nature of his/her difficulties. 

Members of the Counseling Center staff are available to consult with faculty members regarding concerns about students and/or to provide assistance in emergency situations. 

Hours: The Counseling Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students can also be seen by counselors on selected evenings by appointment.

To make an appointment: stop by or call 508-999-8648. In addition to regularly scheduled appointments, walk-in appointments are available from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. each day. 

Emergency Procedures 

For residents of Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet: 

For residents of Fall River, Westport, Swansea, Somerset, Freetown: 

Students, faculty, and staff visit the Counseling Center for many reasons. 

We encourage you to stop by and become familiar with our resources.