College is challenging, and life doesn't stop when classes start. It is never too early or too late to ask for help. BTC Counseling provides free, confidential personal counseling services to enrolled students. In addition to this short-term, solution-focused service, the BTC Counselor can also provide information on campus and community resources that may be of help to you.
If you are struggling, if something is getting in the way of you meeting your goals, or if you are experiencing things like stress, anxiety, strong emotions, challenging life transitions, loss, suicidal thoughts, or other personal challenges, please reach out and see how we can help.
To make an appointment with a counselor or find out their next availability:
To leave a confidential voicemail, call 360.752.8700
If you or someone you know needs help now with a mental health or substance abuse crisis, including thoughts of suicide, please call or text 988, or chat online at https://988lifeline.org. Additional crisis and community resources are available below.
Free personal support for BTC students. We offer nonjudgmental listening and thoughtful questions to help students process personal challenges they are facing and problem-solve them together.
Generally, any issue that is impacting your personal well-being, your ability to meet your academic goals or class expectations, or your ability to meet basic living needs may be helped by talking with a BTC Counselor. Some of the most common reasons students seek personal counseling for include stress, adjusting to school or work environments, or other big life changes, anxious thoughts, procrastination, depressed mood, grief and loss, struggling with self-worth, relationship or communication issues, balancing life responsibilities, substance misuse or abuse, or facing a crisis.
Counseling meetings are typically one-on-one and usually last 50 minutes. They are offered during academic quarters, usually between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Depending on your availability and preference, counseling meetings might occur in person, over the phone, or during an online video meeting. Before or during your first meeting, you can expect to complete brief paperwork that informs you more about this service and helps the counselor understand your concerns. Together with the counselor you will make decisions around your goals for BTC Counseling, how long and how often you will meet, and if there are additional or more specialized strategies or resources to support you in achieving your goals. Counselors also provide information on and connect students to various BTC campus and community-based resources. Many people experience some benefit after just one session.
Life can change quickly. If things suddenly start to feel overwhelming or if you are in a crisis, you do not have to go through it alone. You are more likely to get the most benefit and avoid unnecessary suffering when you request help as soon as you can when you first notice a problem. You do not need to be in a crisis to access and benefit from counseling. We're here to help!
The information you share with the counselor is private and confidential (RCW 18.225.100). It is not part of your academic record. Your counselor will not repeat what you say without your permission (even to family members or to other BTC employees). Your information will be shared only at your request and with your permission, except in specific circumstances related to immediate safety. Exceptions to this right of confidentiality, which are protected by state law (RCW 18.255.105) are listed below:
With your written authorization, or in the case of death or disability, your personal representative;
If you waive the privilege by bringing charges against the person licensed under this chapter;
In response to a subpoena from the secretary. The secretary may subpoena only records related to a complaint or report under RCW 130.050;
When the counselor has reasonable cause to believe that the physical or sexual abuse or neglect of a child, dependent adult, or developmentally disabled person has occurred or might occur; if the client presents as a danger to self or others, as required under chapter 44 or 74.34 RCW or RCW 71.05.360 (8) and (9); or
To any individual if the person licensed under this chapter reasonably believes that disclosure will avoid or minimize an imminent danger to the health or safety of the individual or any other individual; however, there is no obligation on the part of the provider to so disclose.
The BTC Counselor will discuss confidentiality and limitations with you in detail during the first appointment, and answer any questions you may have. For more information, you can also reach out to counseling@btc.edu.
That's a valid question. You may choose to share some deeply personal information and challenges with a BTC Counselor, and you deserve to feel understood and respected. We encourage you to consider scheduling a meeting to discuss this openly with a BTC Counselor and see if we are going to be a good fit for you and for what you want to work on. Additionally, there are resources in the community and online that specialize in offering support services by and for members of specific communities or populations. A BTC Counselor could help you explore your options.
BTC counseling does not provide court-ordered treatment, psychological or disability assessments, diagnosis, court-ordered treatment, or on-going mental health or substance abuse treatment. If you are seeking those services and aren't sure where to start, a BTC Counselor can assist you in finding referrals to community resources.
Yes, we can share resources we are aware of and realistic next steps and expectations in accessing other resources. Sometimes when there are barriers or delays in getting started, you may choose to meet with a BTC Counselor as a bridge of support until you are able to get started at the resource of your choice.
No, that service is outside of the scope of Personal Counseling. For help with these matters, email your College Navigator. If you are not sure who your College Navigator is or you want more information, please visit the Advising page.
If you or someone you know needs help now with a mental health or substance useCRISIS, including thoughts of suicide, please call or text 988, or chat online at https://988lifeline.org.
Below you may find helpful information and resources to help with some issues many students commonly experience. If you would like any more information on this or another issue, please contact a BTC Counselor.
Washington Listens: Call 1-833-681-0211 for free and anonymous non-clinical support to people in WA who feel sad, anxious, or stressed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
HearMeWA: Free 24/7 support for WA youth up to age 25 who are going through a tough time. Text HearMeWA to 738477 or call 1-888-537-1634. For more info or to share your concern about a young person in WA you care about, visit https://hearmewa.org/.
WA Warm Line: Call 877.500.WARM (9276); Monday through Fridays, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. WA Warm Line is a peer support help line for people living with emotional and mental health challenges. Calls are answered by specially-trained volunteers who have lived experience with mental health challenges. They have a deep understanding of what you are going through and are here to provide emotional support, comfort, and information. All calls are confidential.
BTC Accessibility Resources (if you have a diagnosis, you may be eligible for academic accommodations)
SAMHSA (National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services): For information on treatment resources, call National Helpline 800.662.HELP (4357) (English and Spanish) or visit their website or online treatment locator (https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/).
Local DVSAS (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services): Call 877.715.1563 for or visit their website at https://www.dvsas.org (web use may be monitored. If you are concerned that visiting their website would put you in danger, call their 24/7 hotline).
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800.799.7233 or text LOVEIS to 22-522.
StrongHearts Native Helpline: Call 1-844-762-8483 to reach 24/7 confidential and anonymous culturally-appropriate domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans. For more info, visit StrongHearts Native Helpline.
Local DVSAS (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services): Call 877.715.1563 for or visit their website at https://www.dvsas.org (web use may be monitored. If you are concerned that visiting their website would put you in danger, call their 24/7 hotline).
Local IHS clinics that may offer mental health and substance abuse counseling to American Indian/Alaskan Native people enrolled in any Federally recognized tribe:
Nooksack Indian Tribe Behavioral Health: call 360.966.2376 for more information. Located at 2505 Sulwhanon Dr., Everson, WA, 98247. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. (closed for lunch between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.).
Native and Strong lifeline (24/7 crisis line): The Native and Strong lifeline consists of 13 counselors, all Indigenous, who take calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To reach them, Native people can call 988, the nationwide three-digit mental health hotline, and then press option 4.
BTC Food Pantry: Located in the G Building cafeteria, in the corner closest to the large student parking lot. Current hours: Monday-Friday from 9 AM-4 PM. Please stop by or email basicneeds@btc.edu if you have questions.
BTC Basic Needs Navigator: Assists students in identifying and applying for resources to offset costs and close gaps in funding. Please get in touch if you are experiencing food or housing insecurity, or have unexpected or unmanageable costs that are disrupts your ability to meet basic needs. Book an appointment online or email basicneeds@btc.edu.
Base Camp: Check in by 7 PM for shelter. Even if you do not stay there, if you are unhoused they also offer free meals (free breakfast (7:15 AM), lunch (12 PM), and dinner (4:30 PM) every day), showers and restrooms, laundry services. Pets are welcome. Address: 1530 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225.
Northwest Youth Services: If you are 24 or under and experiencing or at risk for homelessness (including couch surfing), they can help. They have shelter options, and they also offer case management, counseling, and free resources at their drop-in centers in Bellingham and Mount Vernon (including laundry, food, clothing, gear for sleeping outside, etc.). To get started, drop-in Mon-Fri 9 AM-4 PM at 2500 E. Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, or call (360) 927-0156.
