Mackenzie McGrath, Campus Carrier asst. arts and living editor

Navigating college life can be both exciting and overwhelming, with students facing unique challenges that can affect their mental and emotional well-being. At Berry, the Counseling Center is dedicated to providing students with the support they need to thrive, offering a safe space for growth, healing and overall connection. 

The Counseling Center at Berry provides support for students’ mental and emotional health throughout their college years. It offers free, confidential services- including individual therapy, crisis intervention and outreach events. Students can schedule appointments online or walk in to connect with a licensed and professional counselor. 

“The purpose of the Counseling Center is to provide mental health support to students through individual and group counseling, same day sessions and different outreach and workshops that promote mental health,” Carley Price, director of counseling, said. “Students can call to schedule an appointment for a consult, where the students will discuss what they are looking for. The counselor will discuss different options depending on what the student’s needs are.”

Over the years, the Counseling Center at Berry has helped students manage mental health diagnoses by providing a space for them to develop coping skills. Students have reported positive impacts from counseling, including improvements in relationships, work-life balance and personal growth. The center has supported students in making significant decisions and gaining insights that positively affect their experiences.

“It’s amazing to watch students grow, many come in overwhelmed, anxious or unsure of how to cope and over time, they build confidence, self-awareness and resilience,” Whitney Gates, assistant director of counseling, said. “I’ve seen students who started therapy feeling lost and by senior year, they are leading clubs, mentoring others and feeling proud of how far they’ve come.” 

During times of high stress, such as finals season, it can be easy to focus solely on the negative aspects of a situation. The Counseling Center emphasizes that talking to someone can help students maintain perspective, discover overlooked coping strategies and receive emotional support. Sharing experiences with a counselor provides relief, allowing students to pause, reflect and reset. This approach helps manage stress more effectively by preventing it from building up.

The center encourages students to seek support not only when things feel “bad,” but also during life transitions, decision-making or when needing a space to talk. Signs that may indicate a need for counseling include feeling anxious, down, overwhelmed, isolated or having more trouble focusing than usual. The center suggests reaching out if coping skills no longer provide relief or stabilization. Difficulty regulating emotions or noticeable changes in behavior or disposition are also indicators that extra attention may be needed.

“There is no reason too small to come into the counseling center,” Price said. “If you feel like you want to talk about something with a neutral person in a judgment-free space, then that is all the sign that you need. We are equipped to help facilitate next steps, so a student doesn’t have to decide on their own if they ‘need’ to come in.” 

The counselors strive to create a welcoming and safe environment for students, fostering strong working relationships with campus partners to provide comprehensive support. The staff members work well together, complementing and supplementing each other’s strengths. The therapeutic relationships with students and the synergy among the staff are key aspects of the center’s approach.

The staff values college students for their intelligence and capabilities, often helping them discover their strengths and sense of self. They find it rewarding to support students through their challenging moments and witness their growth. The staff appreciates the diversity of each student’s experience and the unique contributions they bring. Additionally, the close-knit and purposeful atmosphere of Berry adds to the sense of fulfillment in supporting the campus community.

The Counseling Center at Berry encourages students to explore the resources available on their website. It’s important to remember that counseling is for everyone, and there is no “right” reason to seek support. Everyone needs someone to talk to. The Cousenling Center also reminds students to care for one another, they are the first to recognize when their peers are struggling. Checking in with each other is a vital part of creating a supportive community.