College life comes with several unique demands on students: increased academic pressure, navigating new-and old-relationships, and dealing with homesickness and change. College is often the time individuals will have their first experience with mental health difficulties or see their mental health needs intensify. Student Counseling Services are here to help.

Free Counseling Services for Students
We employ two licensed mental health counselors at Holy Cross College. Our counselors offer a safe, confidential space for students to process what is happening in their lives, while also providing evidence-based tools to empower students to meet their mental health needs. Students may have up to six free counseling sessions per semester, and a counselor can provide referrals to community providers if a student should need more intensive support.

Accessing Counseling Services

To schedule an intake appointment, you may click on the links below to schedule an appointment, free of charge, with either of our clinical staff. Alternatively, you can walk over to our offices–located in Vincent Hall near the Testing Center. If the office door is open, you are welcome to come in. Each counselor has a QR code outside their office that has a direct link to their Bookings Page.

An intake appointment is one hour, with follow-up appointments ranging from 20-45 minutes. Once an intake appointment is scheduled, students will receive an email with a link to forms they must complete prior to their first appointment. Completing these forms prior to intake will help in-person discussions stay focused on what is most important to the student.

*As with all clinical services, the Counseling Center follows HIPAA standards for confidentiality and privacy. Feel free to contact our offices for additional information as needed.

Counseling Services Clinical Staff

Dr. Phyllis Florian Psy.D.,LP, HSPP
Director of Mental Health and Wellness
Office V:169
Phone: 574-239-8303

Schedule an Appointment with Phyllis

Bridget Carlson, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Counselor
Office V:171
Phone; 574-239-8336

Schedule an Appointment with Bridget

Students may also send a confidential email to schedule an appointment by emailing: [email protected]

Insurance-based Services (OFF SITE)

Students seeking the services of a psychiatrist or other licensed psychologist or clinician may do so using their own health insurance plan. Student Counseling Services can assist you by providing contact information for area professionals, as needed.

Emergency Assistance

• Free, confidential, and caring support is available 24/7 through the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Use your phone to call or text 988, or use the 988 Lifeline chat feature on your web browser.

• In South Bend, IN, the local hospital, Epworth Memorial Hospital, is available for 24-hour emergency mental health crisis situations: Beacon Health Locations

*In the event of any other on-campus emergency, please contact the Hall Director On-Call at (574)-334-1813.

Disclaimer: At this time, HCC Counseling Services cannot endorse the use of AI chat tools for mental health support due to emergent mental health safety concerns and limited evidence-based supporting research.

Counseling Services and Health Clinic Confidentiality

The Counseling Services and Health Clinic at Holy Cross College value the privacy of its patients and the confidentiality of the personal, mental, and physical health information entrusted to us. We respect that students have concerns about confidentiality. Counseling Services and Health Clinic staff maintain confidentiality of all private communications in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

In accordance with HIPAA mandates, we will not release information to anyone, including the student’s immediate family, without the student’s prior approval. In addition, if a student needs their health records sent to another facility, they will need to first sign a release form available from Counseling Services or the Health Clinic. Information is released only with written permission by the student, except as required by law or in a life-threatening situation. Health records are not a part of a student’s transcript or college records and are not available to Holy Cross College faculty or staff outside of Counseling Services and the Health Clinic. Counseling records are also confidential and are NOT accessible by any college employee except clinical counseling staff.  Our clinical/counseling staff do consult as necessary, only sharing minimum information to ensure student safety and best clinical care.

Oversight includes internal and external audits, chart reviews, investigations, licensures, and inspections required for compliance with government, college, and accreditation programs, and laws, as well as internal quality assurance/risk management programs. Only the minimal necessary information will be released. All individuals performing these reviews, audits, etc. will be required to agree with and sign the non-disclosure confidentiality standards of Counseling Services or the Health Clinic before being granted access.

Information and complaints: Students may file complaints regarding the security and/or privacy of their personal health information with the Dean of Student Engagement.