Getting Started

Students rate their visits 4.8 out of 5

In an anonymous survey after their sessions this year, 97% of students rated their visit a 4 or 5. Reaching out can feel hard. When you are ready, we are here to help.

"I felt like I was really being listened to. Thank you so much."

From our voluntary, anonymous post-session feedback, 2025-26.

Not sure where to start?

CCPH offers four kinds of support. Find the one that sounds most like what you need right now, then open the matching section below to see how to get connected.

  • 💬 Let's Talk
    A short, informal check-in. Walk in, call, or schedule online.
  • 📅 Therapy Consultation
    A scheduled first appointment to talk through what you are looking for and plan next steps.
  • 👥 Groups and Workshops
    Support alongside other students, led by CCPH counselors.
  • 🧠 Psychiatric Services
    Medication support, arranged by referral from a clinician.
💬 Let's Talk
📞
01

Walk in, call, or schedule online

Stop by Middlesex House, call the front desk, or schedule online.

💬
02

15-minute conversation

A brief check-in with a counselor. Free, confidential, no commitment.

📅
03

Figure out next steps

Schedule a full consultation, join a group, or just leave with a clearer head.

Let’s Talk — Brief Consultations

Let’s Talk is a free, 15-minute consultation with a CCPH counselor.

Let’s Talk is a good fit if you:

  • Are not sure whether CCPH is right for you
  • Want to talk to someone quickly before deciding to schedule a full appointment
  • Have a specific question or concern you want to check in about
  • Are experiencing something that just came up and need a brief conversation
Not sure which option is right for you? Let’s Talk is the lowest-barrier way to connect with CCPH. A counselor can help you figure out your next step, whether that’s scheduling a full Therapy Consultation, joining a group, or connecting with crisis support.

What Let’s Talk Is Not

Let’s Talk is not a therapy appointment and does not replace the 45-minute Therapy Consultation. It is not the right fit for:

  • Students in crisis: if you are in crisis, call (413) 545-HELP (4357) or go to the front desk right away
  • Situations that need an in-depth assessment or ongoing support
  • Questions about psychiatric medication

How to Access Let’s Talk

You have three options for scheduling:

1. Patient Portal

  1. Go to umass.medicatconnect.com
  2. Log in with your UMass Net ID
  3. Click “Get Started” under option 3: Center for Counseling and Psychological Health
  4. Click Appointments on the left-hand side
  5. Select “Reason” and choose “Let's Talk”

2. Call Us

Call (413) 545-2337, ext. 5
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

3. Visit In Person

1st floor, Middlesex House
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

📅 Therapy Consultation
📅
01

Schedule online or by phone

Pick a time that works for you. Most appointments are available within the week.

🕐
02

45-minute consultation

A relaxed conversation about your questions, your timeline, and your priorities.

👥
03

Together, you plan next steps

You'll leave with clear options, and the space to decide what feels right.

Schedule a Therapy Consultation

A Therapy Consultation is a scheduled 45-minute appointment with a CCPH counselor. This is the standard first step for students seeking individual counseling or therapy.

During the consultation, a counselor will:

  • Learn about what is bringing you in
  • Talk with you about your goals and needs
  • Help you understand your options at CCPH and in the community
  • Schedule follow-up appointments if appropriate

CCPH uses a brief and intermittent model of care. This means we are designed to help students with specific concerns, short-term goals, or transitional support. If you are looking for longer-term or more frequent therapy, we will help you find a community provider who can offer that.

TIP: Most students are able to schedule a Therapy Consultation within one to two weeks. If you need support sooner, see the “Let’s Talk” tab for a same-day option.

How to Schedule

Therapy Consultation appointments are available in two ways:

  • Book up to 7 days ahead — About half of our appointments are released up to a week in advance. You can see and book these on the Patient Portal or by calling the front desk.
  • Same-day appointments — The other half of appointments open up the morning they become available. Look for them on the Patient Portal starting at 8:30 a.m., or call us and we can check for you.
Don’t see anything on the portal? Call us anyway. The portal does not always show full availability. This is especially true in summer, when all Therapy Consultations are booked by phone. The portal will show nothing available, but appointments are still open.

You have three options for scheduling:

1. Patient Portal

  1. Go to umass.medicatconnect.com
  2. Log in with your UMass Net ID
  3. Click “Get Started” under option 3: Center for Counseling and Psychological Health
  4. Click Appointments on the left-hand side
  5. Select “Reason” and choose “First Consultation Appointment” (in person or on Zoom)

2. Call Us

Call (413) 545-2337, ext. 5
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

3. Visit In Person

1st floor, Middlesex House
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What to Expect

Here is what typically happens at your Therapy Consultation:

  • You will complete a brief intake questionnaire and symptom survey before your appointment
  • You will meet with a counselor for about 45 minutes
  • The counselor will ask what brought you in and what kind of support you are looking for
  • Together you will talk about next steps, which may include follow-up appointments at CCPH or a referral to a community provider
👥 Groups & Workshops
👥
Therapy

Therapy Groups

Structured, ongoing groups led by CCPH counselors. Pre-screening required.

✏️
Skills

Workshops

Skill-based sessions, one to three meetings. No pre-screening needed.

🚶
Drop-in

Drop-In Groups

Attend any session, no sign-up. In-person or Zoom.

🤝
Identity

Identity-Affirming Groups

Groups for discussion of cultural, social, or identity experiences. Pre-screening required.

Group and Workshop Support at CCPH

CCPH offers a variety of groups and workshops throughout the semester. These are free for enrolled UMass Amherst students and are a great way to get support, build skills, and connect with others.

There are four types of group offerings. Each has its own registration process:

1. Therapy Groups

Therapy groups are structured, ongoing groups led by one or more CCPH counselors. They meet regularly throughout the semester and focus on specific topics such as anxiety, depression, grief, or relationship concerns.

How to join:

  • A pre-screening appointment is required before joining a therapy group
  • Call the CCPH front desk at (413) 545-2337, ext. 5 to get started
  • Staff will connect you with the appropriate group leader for a brief screening

2. Workshops

Workshops are skill-based sessions, usually one to three sessions long. Topics include stress management, sleep hygiene, mindfulness, and more. No pre-screening is required.

How to register:

3. Drop-In Groups

Drop-in groups meet on a regular schedule and do not require registration. You can attend any session without signing up in advance.

How to attend:

  • In-person sessions: walk in during scheduled times, no sign-up needed
  • Remote sessions: use the Zoom link listed on the group page on our website
TIP: Check the Groups & Workshops page for the current semester schedule, topics, and Zoom links.

4. Identity-Affirming Groups

Identity-affirming groups are designed for students to discuss specific cultural, social, or identity-related experiences. These groups are facilitated by counselors who share or have specialized training in those experiences.

How to join:

  • A pre-screening appointment is required
  • Call the CCPH front desk at (413) 545-2337, ext. 5 to get started
🧠 Psychiatric Services
🧠
PATH 01

Referred by a UHS Provider

For anxiety, depression, insomnia, or ADHD. You don't need to be a CCPH client.

🧠
PATH 02

Referred by Your CCPH Therapist

Active CCPH clients with two or more sessions. Must be a current MA resident.

🧠
PATH 03

Referred by a Community Therapist

Your outside therapist completes the Community Therapist Psychiatry Referral Form.

🧠 Psychiatric Services

CCPH offers psychiatric services, including medication evaluation and management, for students with complex mental health needs. Psychiatric appointments are not self-scheduled. All referrals are made through a clinician using one of the three pathways below.

How to Access Psychiatric Services

Pathway 1: Referred by a UHS Provider

If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, insomnia, or ADHD, any UHS primary care provider can refer you to psychiatric services through UHS. You do not need to be a current CCPH therapy client for this pathway. Instructions for setting up an appointment can be found here on the UHS Appointments website.
Pathway 2: Referred by Your CCPH Therapist

If you are an active CCPH therapy client with at least two completed sessions, your CCPH therapist can refer you to CCPH’s internal psychiatry services for more complex needs, including OCD, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or a history of psychiatric hospitalization. You must be a current Massachusetts resident to access this pathway.
Pathway 3: Referred by a Community Therapist

If you are working with a therapist in the community (outside of CCPH) who believes you would benefit from psychiatric services, they can refer you directly to CCPH psychiatry. Your therapist completes the Community Therapist to CCPH Psychiatry Referral Form, available on our Printable Forms page. You do not need to be a current CCPH therapy client for this pathway.

Billing

Psychiatric visits are billed to your insurance. There are no co-pays at CCPH. If you have questions about billing or insurance, contact us at (413) 545-2337, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.