When you're working through something, the right resource at the right moment can make a real difference. Below you'll find apps, articles, podcasts, books, and community connections, organized by what you might be working on. Most are free.
Featured tools
Three free starting points when you're not sure where to look.
How We Feel
Track and understand your emotions with quick daily check-ins. Built with researchers at Yale.
Helpguide.org
A nonprofit library of evidence-based articles on anxiety, depression, sleep, relationships, trauma, grief, and more.
Feeling Great
An interactive self-help program from David Burns, the psychiatrist behind TEAM-CBT, for working through depression, anxiety, and difficult emotions.
Find a therapist
CCPH offers brief and intermittent treatment, which works for many students. If you're looking for ongoing weekly therapy or want to start working with someone now, here's how to find a therapist off campus.
Step 1: Learn what to look for
Helpguide has a thorough guide to choosing a therapist, making the most of your sessions, and evaluating your progress.
Step 2: Check your insurance
Most insurance plans have a behavioral health provider directory. UMass student health insurance is administered through Cigna. Use your insurer's directory to find in-network options.
| Insurance | Provider directory |
|---|---|
| Aetna | Aetna mental and emotional health resources |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Mental Health Resource Center |
| Carelon Behavioral Health | Carelon Find a Provider |
| Cigna (UMass student health insurance) | Cigna Health Care Provider Directory |
| Harvard Pilgrim | Harvard Pilgrim Find a Provider |
| Health New England | Health New England member portal |
| United Healthcare | United Healthcare Find Care |
Step 3: Consider a group practice for the fastest start
Group practices have multiple clinicians and often let you book online. Three local options we've had positive experiences with:
- Handel Behavioral Health. Large group offering in-person and telehealth appointments, bookable online.
- Advance Psychotherapy Practice. Large group practice with multiple local offices.
- Northeast Health Services. Offices throughout Massachusetts, including providers who accept MassHealth.
Step 4: Use an online directory if you want to pick someone specific
- Psychology Today. Filter by location, insurance, type of therapy, specialty, and therapist identity. Tip: reach out to 6 or more providers at a time, since some will be full or slow to respond.
- Headway. Find therapists covered by your insurance and book directly.
- Alma. Book private-practice therapists directly online.
Looking for an identity-affirming match? These directories curate by identity:
Our Referral Coordinator, Bee Emily, can help you navigate insurance and find a good fit. Call (413) 545-2337 and choose option 2.
Downloadable guides
Three short PDFs you can save or share.
Student Guide to Mental Health at UMass
A student-created overview of mental health services and how to navigate them.
Taking Care of Yourself After a Critical Incident
Practical coping strategies for the days after a hard event.
Recognize and Respond to Distress
A reference for supporting a friend, classmate, or peer who is struggling.
- Anxiety, Stress, and Sleep
- Depression and Mood
- Identity and Community
- Trauma and Survivor Support
- Body, Food, and Substance Use
Tools for noticing what's happening in your body and mind, lowering the volume on the spiral, and getting better rest. Anxiety, stress, and sleep struggles often feed each other, so resources here cross between all three.
- APP How We Feel · Daily emotion check-ins to spot patterns.
- APP Calm · Sleep stories, meditations, and relaxation soundscapes.
- APP Dawn · iOS app pairing you with a sleep coach for CBT-I-based therapy.
- PODCAST Anxiety Slayer · Short, practical episodes with guided meditations.
- PODCAST Meditation Minis · Award-winning short guided meditations for anxiety, stress, and sleep.
- WORKBOOK CBT Self-Help Workbook: Anxiety · Free workbook from the Centre for Clinical Interventions.
- BOOK The Insomnia Workbook by Stephanie Silberman · A comprehensive guide to the sleep you need.
- ARTICLE Helpguide: Anxiety · Plain-language articles on anxiety, panic, social anxiety, and worry.
- ARTICLE Helpguide: Sleep · Plain-language articles on sleep hygiene and insomnia.
For when motivation, energy, or your sense of self feels off. The resources here range from quick mood-shift techniques to longer-form learning about how depression works and what helps.
- APP Feeling Great · Self-help program from David Burns based on TEAM-CBT.
- PODCAST Feeling Good Podcast · TEAM-CBT-based episodes on depression, perfectionism, and more.
- PODCAST The Hilarious World of Depression · Honest, funny conversations about clinical depression.
- WORKBOOK CBT Self-Help Workbook: Depression · Free workbook from the Centre for Clinical Interventions.
- BOOK Feeling Great by David Burns · Updated CBT approach with new techniques for stuck depression.
- ARTICLE Helpguide: Depression · Articles on signs, types, and self-help for depression.
Resources that center identity and community, for students navigating who they are alongside everything else. Includes options for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, international, and religious or spiritual students.
- COMMUNITY Asian Mental Health Collective · Community, directory, and support for Asian mental health.
- DIRECTORY Therapy for Black Girls · Directory of culturally responsive therapists.
- LOCAL LGBTQ+ Care at Cooley Dickinson · Inclusive primary and behavioral health care in the Pioneer Valley.
- BOOK Trans Bodies, Trans Selves · A resource for the trans, gender-expansive, and non-binary community and their families.
- CAMPUS Religious and Spiritual Life at UMass · Supports students of all backgrounds and beliefs.
- SUPPORT 7 Cups · Free, anonymous emotional support from trained listeners.
If you've experienced violence, abuse, or another traumatic event, you don't have to figure this out alone. These resources include crisis support, advocacy, and specialized therapy options.
- CAMPUS Sexual Assault Support and Advocacy (SASA) · 24/7 confidential support at (413) 545-0800.
- CAMPUS Center for Women and Community · Specialized services for people impacted by trauma or sexual violence.
- ARTICLE Helpguide: PTSD and trauma · Articles on the impact of trauma and paths to recovery.
Resources for eating, body image, alcohol, and drug concerns. Whether you're questioning your relationship with food or substances, in recovery, or supporting someone who is, you have options.
Eating and body image
- CAMPUS UHS Eating Disorder Consultation · Schedule an evaluation with the UHS team at (413) 577-5101.
- SUPPORT Eating Recovery Center: Virtual Support Groups · Free peer support groups led by trained facilitators.
- SCREENING Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) · A widely used self-report screening tool.
- ARTICLE Helpguide: Eating disorders · Articles on disordered eating, body image, and recovery.
- WORKBOOK CBT Self-Help Workbook: Body image · Free workbook from the Centre for Clinical Interventions.
Alcohol and substance use
- CAMPUS UMass Recovery · Community and resources for students in or curious about recovery. Narcan available on campus.
- SUPPORT Alcoholics Anonymous · The oldest and largest alcohol peer support community.
- SCREENING BASICS: Brief Alcohol Screening for College Students · Confidential, non-judgmental motivational interviewing program at UMass.
- STATE Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line · Connects you to outpatient, urgent, and crisis care for mental health and substance use.
- ARTICLE Helpguide: Addiction and substance use · Plain-language articles on alcohol, drugs, and recovery.
UMass campus resources
CCPH isn't the only place to turn on campus. These offices and programs partner with us on student wellbeing.
Dean of Students Office
Help navigating a hard semester, family emergency, or academic concern.
Center for Women and Community
Confidential support, advocacy, and a 24/7 hotline for survivors.
Religious and Spiritual Life
Chaplains, faith communities, and meaning-making support.
Student Legal Services
Free legal advice for students on family, housing, immigration, and more.
Academic Advising
Help choosing or changing a major, planning your path, and navigating requirements.
Crisis support
If you or someone you know is in crisis, here's where to start. Visit our Crisis Services page for the full picture.
SASA 24/7 Hotline
Confidential support for sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking.
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
Statewide help line for mental health and substance use, 24/7.
Call (833) 773-2445
Disaster Distress Helpline
Year-round disaster crisis counseling, multilingual.
Call or text 1-800-985-5990