Two weeks ago, I started this series, Heller Hacks: Pro-Tips from the Inside” with a post about Heller Enrichment Funds. This series is deigned to give both prospective and admitted students the inside scoop about programs at Heller that they may not otherwise be aware of, things that I’ve noticed many of our most successful students take advantage of during their time at Heller. Today’s post is, I think, especially important for students to know about, as I really believe support in this area can be a make-or-break factor in your success at graduate school: BCC’s Community Therapy program.
Let’s face it, graduate school can be tough. One thing I’ve learned from my time in higher education is that any problem a person can have, a student in graduate school can also have. That includes, but is not limited to health problems, job loss, break-ups, new relationships, starting a family, losing a friend or family member… the list goes on. But when you’re in graduate school, you could potentially be dealing with any of these problems on top of managing to study, take tests, write papers, and attend classes, which is already hard enough! That’s why, in addition to the access that all students have to Brandeis’ Counseling Center, Heller also has an in-house community therapist.
Driven by the counseling center’s mission and inspired by Brandeis’ value of community transformation, BCC Community Therapists provide free, confidential mental health services. Community Therapists can offer strategies to strengthen life and coping skills, insight and support, as well as information and connection to additional resources. Whether it’s stress, worry, sadness, relationship or family dilemmas, or academic performance, sharing concerns with another person can make an impactful difference. No topic is off-limits! Community Therapists can also help determine whether formal counseling would be useful and, if appropriate, assist in getting connected to appropriate services.
All Brandeis students can receive a total of three community therapy sessions. And at Heller, we are lucky to have Roxann Mascoll, LCSW, as our staff therapist. A little about Roxann: “Roxann identifies as a Black Nuyorican. Her professional interests include relational therapy, trauma-focused family dynamics, and she is an empathic clinician. Roxann’s interests are counting how many times someone sings the “Roxann” song (The Police/UTFO). She loves working to improve her health and mental wellness. She is an avid Caribbean cruiser.”
At Heller, we believe that mental health is a crucial component of success in both academics and life. That’s why we are committed to providing access to mental health resources for our students, including the services of our talented staff therapist, Roxann Mascoll. As a student, don’t hesitate to reach out and take advantage of this valuable resource!