Counseling Services

Welcome to Northland Community & Technical College Counseling Services. If this is an emergency, contact emergency services at 9-1-1 or the mental health line at 9-8-8.

The goal of counseling services is to help you address any situation or concern that interferes with your ability to find educational success. Counseling services can aid in helping you identify solutions to these problems by adjusting your thought processes, exploring alternative approaches, and learning more effective skills that can allow you to manage and resolve situations that are negatively affecting your life.

Counseling is a cooperative venture between you and a counselor. Counseling is also an educational process. You may learn new things about yourself and how you interact with others. Counseling provides a safe, confidential environment for you to process and explore.

Informed Consent Form

Availability

Counseling services are provided to enrolled students free of charge. Counseling services are available on each campus and via Zoom to assist you in academic, career, and personal development. Scheduling an appointment is encouraged as walk-in availability is limited.

Appointments can be made by contacting campus counselors directly by phone or email or requesting an appointment via the scheduling link on this page.

Academic Year Schedule*

  • Monday: TRF/Zoom (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
  • Tuesday: EGF/Zoom (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: EGF/Zoom (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
  • Thursday: TRF/Zoom (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
  • Friday: Zoom by appointment only

Winter and Summer Break by appointment only.

*Schedule and location subject to change based on events and student needs. Appointments are highly encouraged.

Each student is assigned an advisor for their chosen major who they can meet with to determine course selection as well as support in the development of academic goals. However, academically speaking, counseling services can be a great resource in the following areas:

  • Academic Progress — If you are on warning or suspension, or simply concerned about a grade in one specific class, counseling services can assist you explore what warning, suspension or a poor grade means, as well as explore options you may have
  • Appeals — If you are in the process of filing an appeal, counselors can help support you in this process
  • Stress and Time Management
  • Study Skills
  • Test Anxiety

Academic Resources

Choosing a career is an important life decision. Often, students are undecided about the career or major they want to pursue, and that is OK! Students who have a well-thought-out career goal and/or major are often more successful in college and more likely to complete their education. Career exploration and development is a process that will take some time and effort, and luckily there are a lot of resources available to help guide you through this process. 

Career exploration and planning includes the following steps:  

  1. Assess Yourself 
  2. Career Exploration 
  3. Create a Plan and Set Goals 
  4. Expand Your Skills 
  5. Find a Job 
  6. Manage Your Career 

Need help getting started? 

The Minnesota State CAREERwise Career Planning Workbook can guide you step by step through the career exploration process. Below you will find many other resources available that can help you through your career exploration. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with a Northland counselor to discuss career exploration further, schedule an appointment here! 

Career Exploration Resources

The following resources are available to help students work through the career exploration process. Some are designated for students who have been admitted to Northland, but many are available and free for public use. Each site has a lot of information to navigate through, so we have identified some good resources within each site to help get you started. 

Focus 2 Careers 

Take one or all available assessments and see how your results can connect to programs at Northland and explore the many possible career options! This resource is available to all admitted Northland students. Register using your Northland student email. 

Email Format: firstname.lastname@go.northlandcollege.edu 
Access Code: northland 

Haven’t applied to Northland yet? Apply here for FREE! 

Minnesota State CAREERwise 

This is a free resource for anybody interested in career exploration in Minnesota. This website includes a lot of information and resources and is a great place to start your career exploration process. 

Assessments  

Learn about and take any of the available assessments, good ones to start with are: 

Exploration 

Planning and Setting Goals 

Expanding Skills 

Finding a Job 

Managing Your Career 

CareerOneStop 

Another free resource sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. CareerOneStop offers a variety of career exploration resources for those at any stage in the career exploration and planning process. Not sure where to start? Here are some places to begin: 

Look for Job Opportunities 

Finding a Job 

There are many challenges students face that can affect success in college. These challenges can also affect students’ emotional well-being and personal growth. Counseling Services works with students on strategies to overcome the challenges they face. Counseling Services can also improve overall well-being, coping skills, communication skills, self-confidence, and promote behavior change.

Common challenges personal counseling can assist with include:

  • Anxiety
  • Decision Making
  • Depression
  • Grief and Loss
  • Low self-confidence
  • Relationship concerns
  • Stress
  • Transition to college

To provide the best support to students, Counseling Services may refer students to appropriate agencies in the community that have expertise in specific areas. Counseling Services will work with students to determine the best course of action for each individual student seeking support.

Online Mental Resources

Printable Mental Health Resource List with Contact Information

Below you will find links to local and national resource information that can help connect you with mental health services. While we strive to include a comprehensive list of resources, this is not an exhaustive list of all mental health services and resources. If it is an emergency, contact emergency services by dialing 9-1-1

National Crisis Line

  • Phone: 988 or 800.273.8255
  • Text: 988
  • En Espanol: 888.628.9454

Local Resources

  • NW Area Crisis Phone Line
  • Counties Served: Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, & Roseau
  • Phone: 1.800.282.5005
  • Text “MN” to 741741

East Grand Forks

Thief River Falls

National Resources

For additional resources, visit the Northland Basic Needs and Support page.

Counselors follow professional standards of ethics and confidentiality. All counseling communications between a student and counselor are confidential and will not be revealed unless you give written permission to release such information. A copy of the Consent of Release of Information form is available from the counselor.

The following are exceptions to our counseling confidentiality practice:

  • If a counselor believes you present an imminent danger to yourself or others. In situations of imminent danger, counselors are legally required to take action to protect your safety and the safety of others. The counselor’s actions in these situations may include notifying law enforcement authorities and/or individuals at risk or arranging for voluntary or involuntary hospitalization.
  • When a counselor believes that the health or welfare of a child or vulnerable adult is being jeopardized by physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation. In these situations, counselors are legally required to report the situation to Child Protection Services and/or other appropriate county and/or state authorities and/or law enforcement authorities.
  • When disclosure is made necessary by legal proceedings via a court order, such as a subpoena.
  • Counselors may consult with other professionals to enhance services provided to students. While consulting with professional colleagues, every effort will be made to protect your identity.
  • Counselors are unable to guarantee confidentiality by email and want students to be aware of this when communicating with counselors via email.

In all other cases, what you discuss in counseling will remain confidential.

Contact Us

We invite you to contact us with your questions or concerns. Appointments are recommended, as walk-in availability is very limited. Appointments can be made by contacting the campus counselor directly by phone or email, or by requesting an appointment time via the scheduling link on this page.

Photo of Rebecca Johnson

Rebecca Johnson

Counselor

  • 218-683-8543