Our office strives to provide an inclusive space that honors the strengths, lived experience, and uniqueness of each individual. Our counselors provide services focused on wellness, growth, and self advocacy, in order to enhance your success at the university and in the larger community.
Getting Assistance
For the academic year, Counseling Services staff will continue to provide both in-person and virtual counseling sessions. Students are able to indicate their preference when they connect to make an appointment. Students may register for a counseling session by completing the Fall 2026 Scheduling Form.
Regular hours for the Counseling Services office during the academic year are as follows:
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During the regular academic year, enrolled students may contact the Counseling Services office through any of the following means:
- Emailing counselingscheduler@fitchburgstate.edu
- Calling 978.665.3152
- Visiting Hammond 317
Additional Resources
An additional resource is Uwill. Uwill is a recognized and reputable student mental health and wellness platform, designed specifically for college students. Uwill offers students free immediate access to teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, and wellness programming through its easy-to-use online platform.
To schedule teletherapy through Uwill:
- Create a profile with Uwill.
- Choose a therapist based on your preferences, including availability, issue(s) of concern, gender, language, and ethnicity.
- Choose a time that fits your schedule with day, night and weekend availability.
Uwill is private, secure, and confidential.
Uwill also offers students a direct crisis connection. For students experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available 24/7/365, by calling 833.646.1526.
In emergency situations, students should contact University Police at 978.665.3111, dial 911, or seek out emergency care at their local emergency room.
Counseling Services staff have assembled a number of resources that can be accessed remotely (e.g., self-care, mindfulness, relaxation, managing emotional balance).
Below are some additional resources that may be of benefit to you*:
- National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988 - After dialing 988, press “1” for Veterans or press “2” for services in Spanish
- Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" or "HOLA" to 741741
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.7233
- Pathways for Change (Sexual Violence Crisis Center of Central MA) Hotline: 1.800.870.5905
- Trans Lifeline: 877.565.8860
- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ Crisis Support): Call 1.866.488.7386, Text "START" to 678-678, or visit their website to chat
- The Steve Fund (Students of Color Crisis Support): Text "STEVE" to 741741
*Services are also available in Spanish or for people who are deaf/HoH. Please connect to their respective websites for more information.
Meet Our Staff
Lauren O'Brien
Amanda Sapienza
Julia Kempster
Brianna Buckley
Bob Sovocool
Samantha Dougherty
Alexandra Levine
Prakruthi (Praks) Nikam
Danny Portillo
Kelly Joyce
More Information
As a student receiving counseling services, you have a right to privacy and confidentiality, however:
- A counselor may release confidential information if you have given written consent to do so.
- A counselor may release confidential information if they have reason to believe that a client is a danger to themselves, or presents a danger to others.
- A counselor must report any knowledge of abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or a person with a disability.
- In rare circumstances, a court of law or judge may require a counselor to produce confidential information.
Counseling records never become a part of a student's transcript or Fitchburg State University record. All records are securely kept in the Counseling Services Office.
Email Policy
Counseling is conducted in real time, not through email.
The privacy and immediacy of email cannot be assured, therefore we encourage you not to communicate with our office using this method. Although we check our email often, we make no promise concerning when or how often email is read. You have no way of knowing whether the recipient is unavailable due to vacation, illness or other reason. Therefore, your message may not be received and read promptly.
It is recommended that if you need to make contact with a Counseling Services staff member, you do so by calling the office at 978.665.3152. For general scheduling issues, the counselingscheduler@fitchburgstate.edu email may be used.
During Business Hours
The Counseling Services Office offers an "Urgent Hour," weekdays from 2 to 4 p.m. The Office is located in the Hammond Building, Room 317. "Urgent Hour" appointments are intended to be brief, problem-focused discussions pertaining to emergency situations, when a student is unable to arrange an appointment. Whereas it's always preferable to make an appointment, Counseling Services staff will make efforts to connect with students during "Urgent Hours," as staff availability permits.
After Business Hours
If You Live On Campus
During the regular academic year, Counseling Services staff provide 24-hour crisis response to the University. Resident students may contact the University Police Department (978.665.3111), or a residential staff member (e.g., a Resident Assistant).
If You Live Off Campus
Contact your usual health care provider (e.g., HMO, clinic, primary care doctor, or therapist), call 911, or proceed to the nearest hospital Emergency Department. Please also refer to the Distance Learners page to learn more about mental health services in your area.
Hotline Numbers
- Pathways for Change (Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts) Hotline: 1.800.870.5905
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.7233
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1.800.273.TALK
For over 30 years, the Fitchburg State University Counseling Services Office has offered a graduate training experience dedicated to supporting the personal growth and development of future mental health professionals.
The training program is open to graduate students currently enrolled in clinically-oriented psychology and counseling programs. The program takes place over the course of the academic year, beginning in late August and ending in the middle of May. Typically, trainees spend 20-22 hours per week in the Counseling Services Office; approximately 10-12 of those hours are spent providing direct clinical service to enrolled students at Fitchburg State University. Trainees will engage in both weekly individual and group supervision opportunities. Trainees are also invited to participate in outreach and prevention-oriented activities of the Counseling Services Office (i.e. suicide prevention, interpersonal violence prevention, etc.).
Application Process
We begin accepting applications in December for the following academic year. Interested applicants should please e-mail a cover letter, resume/CV, and two letters of reference to the attention of Amanda Sapienza at asapienza@fitchburgstate.edu.
The deadline for applications is February 1. Interviews typically take place in late January and early February, with offers extended to successful applicants in February/March.
