Most Innovative. Best for Veterans. 2026 U.S. News and World Report Best Regional Colleges North
Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Up to $5,000 annual awards available. Most associate's and bachelor's degrees pre-qualify. See exclusions.
Counseling Services
The Counseling Services staff all have extensive clinical experience working with college students. Counselors are available to help students resolve personal concerns that interfere with their academic progress, social development, and overall life satisfaction at Penn College.
Crisis Intervention
The Counseling Services office provides crisis intervention services for mental health emergencies during the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. When in crisis, students may call 570.327.4765 or stop by the office to meet with a counselor as soon as possible.
Evening and weekend response is available by contacting the Penn College Police Department at 570.321.5555 or by speaking with a Residence Life staff member.
Crisis Text Line
- Text HOME or HOLA to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis.
- A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds quickly.
- The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
Personal Counseling
Short term individual counseling is offered to help students gain a deeper understanding of the sources of their difficulties. These insights are then translated into plans of action that the student can carry out in their daily life.
Counselors also provide intervention and support designed to assist students who are experiencing academic difficulties in collaboration with the academic schools and other support services on campus to provide assistance to students.
Do I have to come to the office for counseling? Students can be seen face-to-face or through telehealth by contacting the office for an appointment by email, counseling@pct.edu, phone (570.327.4765) or walk in, Bush Campus Center, Room 204.
To schedule an appointment contact Counseling Services
In some cases, a counselor may determine that the needs of a student would be best met through a community agency. Referrals are made when the student is in crisis, has a chronic mental health problem, or can otherwise benefit from the resources of an outside agency. Counselors will assist students in obtaining such services, when appropriate.
Counseling Services:
Supporting Students in Distress
A guide to help faculty, staff, student leaders, and others who interact with students to recognize, respond effectively to, and refer Penn College students in distress.
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Plan
Access resources and learn what to do.
Set to Go
Your guide to the transition from high school to college and adulthood.
Outreach/Consultation
When faculty, staff, or another student expresses concern for a student's well-being, counselors will often attempt to reach the student on campus to assess the severity of symptoms and to offer services. In addition, counselors work closely with staff from College Health Services and Disability and Access Resources, to ensure continuity of care for students. Counselors also are available to present to classes, student organizations and residence hall groups on a variety of topics designed to enhance growth and development. In addition, Counselors are available to visit a classroom or speak to small groups of students when there has been an untimely death of student or staff or other traumatic event.
Resources: TAO
TAO (Therapy Assistance Online) is a suite of online tools and psychoeducational sessions to help clients learn about and change how they think and feel. These materials can be used flexibly as self-help for appropriate candidates, as an adjunct to therapy, with the guidance of a coach, or in a group delivery modality. When working with a therapist, along with the educational materials in the platform, every week the client will complete a short mood survey before meeting or checking in. The therapist will provide support, encouragement, problem solving, and accountability. These sessions are designed to help clients have a better understanding of their personal experiences and equip them with strategies to aid them in feeling more resilient today and as they go forward in life. The TAO model has been validated with over 100 studies in 20 countries and has been shown to be highly effective.
Resources: TalkCampus
TalkCampus is a groundbreaking global peer support platform designed for students, offering round-the-clock support. Accessible on both mobile and desktop, this mental health app ensures continuous access to care for students in need.
As student mental health becomes an increasing concern, universities and colleges are seeing a growing demand for support services. Many wellbeing teams face challenges in providing adequate resources to encourage help-seeking behavior and offer after-hours mental health support for students both on and off campus.
TalkCampus addresses these needs by providing an all-encompassing solution that integrates online peer support with real-time crisis management. The app, available for download from app stores or through a web platform, promotes greater student engagement and offers essential mental health resources.
Support Groups
Walk and Talk Group
Take a break, get some fresh air, and talk about what’s on your mind. The “Walk and Talk” group is a casual, supportive environment open to all students, designed to help you de-stress and connect with others while enjoying the outdoors.
- Wednesdays, starting January 21
- 3:30–4:30 p.m.
- CC Lobby
Neuorodivergent Support Group
Embracing the way your brain works.
Students who are neurodiverse often encounter difficulties beyond schoolwork. Let’s engage.
- Executive functioning skills
- Social/communication
- Manage emotions
- Prevent burnout
- Relationship building
-
Thursdays
Jan. 22 | Feb. 5 & 19 | Mar. 5 & 26 | Apr. 9 & 23 - 3:30–4:30 p.m.
- CC, Room 204A
Grief Support Group
It’s OK to let it out.
Grief isn’t only about death. It can follow many types of loss—relationships, routines, places, or expectations.
Grief is the process of adapting to change and the space it leaves behind.
- Thursdays
Jan. 29 | Feb. 12 & 26 | Mar. 19 | Apr. 2, 16 & 30 - 3:30–4:30 p.m.
- CC, Room 204A
Confidentiality
All students utilizing Counseling Services have the right to confidentiality. This means that under most circumstances, others will not be provided with information without their written consent. There are exceptions, however. Counselors are required to release certain information:
- If, in the judgment of the counselor, there is imminent danger of serious harm to yourself and/or others, the counselor is required by law to reveal that information to the appropriate person in order to prevent harm.
- If the counselor has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under the age of 18 years, an elder, or intellectually disabled person has been abused (physically, emotionally, mentally, or sexually) or neglected or is placed at imminent risk of serious harm, then the counselor must report this suspicion of belief to the appropriate authority.
- If the counselor is required to by process of law, such as a subpoena or a court order, or, in very limited circumstances, under applicable state law.
Counselors are available to speak with parents who may have concerns or questions about their child's emotional health and welfare. Although confidential information cannot be shared without a release from the student, the counselor can listen to parents' concerns and offer suggestions and/or referrals.