Counseling at Highland
Transformative Growth Counseling provides FREE personal counseling services for HCC students.
Liz Hamilton, Clinical Site Manager and Pre-licensed Professional Counselor, is located in the Welcome Center, office H-116B, on the first floor of the Student/Conference Center. Walk-ins are welcome! Just ask at the front desk to speak with the counselor.
To make an appointment, visit transformativegrowth.org, call 630-423-6010 or email liz@transformativegrowth.org. Appointments are available Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in person, or Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Zoom™.
Transformative Growth Counseling is a safe space, and we support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and First-Generation students.
A sexual assault counselor from VOICES is also available for to provide confidential services and support. Counseling services are available at no additional cost to Highland students. Report an incident on campus here.
In the event of a mental health emergency situation, call 911.
MindWise Mental Health Screenings
We encourage you to take a quick screening to see if feelings like prolonged sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of pleasure, and/or hopelessness might actually be related to depression.
Other screenings for generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol misuse, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder are also available. Participants will receive immediate results at the end of each screening to print and bring to a counselor for further discussion and evaluation if indicated. Please note that these screenings are to help you have an informed conversation with your counselor. They are not intended to be a clinical diagnosis.
Take a MindWise screening here.
Campus Resources
Report an incident on campus here.
New Horizons Counseling Center provides services for everything from family conflicts and parenting to self-esteem and anger management for individuals, couples, and groups of all ages.
Contact Information: 815-235-6171 To schedule an appointment: counseling@highland.edu.
VOICES provides a variety of services to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Contact Information: 877-944-7233 (toll free)
24-Hour Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 815-235-1641
24-Hour Sexual Assault Services and Crisis Line: 815-232-7200
CONTACT of Northern Illinois is a 24-hour crisis hotline.
Contact Information: 815-233-4357
Local Resources
FHN Memorial Hospital – Emergency Department
Please go directly to the FHN Emergency Department in Stephenson County if you or someone you know is at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others or if, because of a mental illness, a person has become unable to care for his or her own needs.
1045 W Stephenson St, Freeport, IL 61032
Emergency room: Open 24 hours
(877) 600-0346
https://www.fhn.org
FHN Family Counseling Center Crisis Services
Same-day, crisis, and walk-in appointments can be made from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at our Freeport location.
For after-hours crises (5 p.m. – 8 a.m. on weeknights; 24 hours on weekends), please call CONTACT at 815-233-4357.
421 West Exchange Street
Freeport, IL 61032
815-599-7300
CONTACT of Northern Illinois
CONTACT is a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week Helpline that has been serving our area for the past 34 years.
VOICES of Stephenson County
If you are in immediate danger, dial 911.
24-Hour Crisis Lines
Call these lines if you are in crisis and need assistance:
VOICES Domestic Violence Hotline: 815-235-1641
VOICES Sexual Assault Hotline: 815-235-7200
For general VOICES information, please contact us Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
815-235-9241
877-944-7233 (Toll Free)
To send us a general message, please email voices@voicesofsc.org.
Stephenson County Health Department
The Stephenson County Health Department is dedicated to protecting the citizens of Stephenson County against preventable disease, morbidity, and a variety of health-related issues, by promoting health, fitness, and public awareness.
10 W Linden St, Freeport, IL 61032
815-235-8271
Rosecrance Freeport
Rosecrance is a longstanding provider of addiction treatment centers, drug abuse recovery, and comprehensive, licensed behavioral health services.
1631 S Galena Ave, Freeport, IL 61032
888-928-5278
New Horizons Counseling Center
We are a local provider of therapeutic outpatient mental health counseling services. Our mission is to provide mental health counseling services for individuals and families regardless of their ability to pay.
34 N Whistler Ave. Freeport, IL 61032
815-235-6171
lruthe@nhccfprt.org
Reporting Elder Abuse and Neglect in Illinois
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 911 – they will dispatch assistance to you. Otherwise, call the VOICES office at 815-235-9421 or the Senior Resource Center at 815-235-9777 to report the abuse.
If the person lives in a long-term care facility or a home for individuals with developmental disabilities, the incident should be reported to the state of Illinois’ Long Term Care Ombudsman Program by calling 800-369-0895.
Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect in Illinois
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 911 – they will dispatch assistance to you.
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Child Abuse Hotline 1.800.25.ABUSE
Illinois Department Of Children & Family Services – Freeport Office
1826 S West Ave · In The Meadows Shopping Center · (815) 235-7878
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Illinois
NAMI Northern Illinois is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families living with mental illness through support, education, advocacy, and hope.
PO 6971, Rockford, IL 61125
815-963-2470
Local Resources for Victims of Sexual Assault
Stephenson County
24/7 Crisis Hotline:
Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 815‐232‐7200
Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 815‐235‐1641
VOICES – 1401 Crestwood Dr. Freeport, IL 61032
Jo Daviess County
24/7 Crisis Hotline:
Galena Sexual Assault: 888‐707‐8155
Galena Domestic Violence: 815‐777‐3680
Riverview Center Web Page
Carroll County
24/7 Crisis Hotline:
Mt. Carroll Sexual Assault: 877‐273‐7772
Mt. Carroll Domestic Violence: 815‐244‐1320
Riverview Center Web Page
Ogle County
24/7 Crisis Hotline:
HOPE of Ogle County Domestic Violence Services: 815-562‐8890
National Resources
Addiction
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Also, visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you.
Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
NIMH is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
https://www.nami.org
Online Resources for Depression & Bi-Polar
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
DBSA provides hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people who have mood disorders.
bphope.com – Hope and Harmony for people with Bipolar
bphope.com is bp Magazine’s award-winning online community. We strive to increase the awareness of bipolar disorder and provide hope for individuals and families living with bipolar disorder
Online Resources for Domestic Violence
Inside Domestic Violence: The Power and Control Wheel
The Duluth Model
Watch the YouTube video here.
Inside Domestic Violence: Power and Control
Watch the YouTube video here.
First Impressions: Exposure to Violence and a Child’s Developing Brain
Produced for the Attorney General’s Office, we learn about the effects of domestic violence on young children. A MUST WATCH! Repeated Exposure to Violence Impacts Brain Development.
Watch the YouTube video here.
A Call to Men | Tony Porter
At TEDWomen, Tony Porter makes a call to men everywhere: Don’t “act like a man.” Telling powerful stories from his own life, he shows how this mentality, drummed into so many men and boys, can lead men to disrespect, mistreat and abuse women and each other. His solution: Break free of the man box.
Watch the YouTube video here.
Violence against women—it’s a men’s issue: Jackson Katz at TEDxFiDiWomen
Jackson Katz, Phd, is an anti-sexist activist and expert on violence, media and masculinities. An author, filmmaker, educator and social theorist, Katz has worked in gender violence prevention work with diverse groups of men and boys in sports culture and the military and has pioneered work in critical media literacy. Katz is the creator and co-founder of the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program.
Watch the YouTube video here.
Stress, Mindfulness, Anger Management, Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence and Family Relationship Information from HelpGuide
Stress Management
While it may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress at work and home, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control.
Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief
To effectively combat stress, you need to activate your body’s natural relaxation response. Techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, meditation, and yoga can help.
Benefits of Mindfulness
Practices for Improving Emotional and Physical Well-Being
Anger Management
Is your temper hijacking your life? These tips and techniques can help you get anger under control and express your feelings in healthier ways.
Improving Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
When it comes to happiness and success in life, EQ matters just as much as IQ. Learn how you can boost your emotional intelligence, build stronger relationships, and achieve your goals.
Emotional Intelligence Toolkit
Want to become a happier, healthier you? This free program offers tools for managing stress and emotions, improving your relationships, and bringing your life into balance.
Conflict Resolution Skills
Whatever the cause of disagreements and disputes at home or work, these skills can help you resolve conflict in a constructive way and keep your relationships strong and growing.
Dealing with Difficult Family Relationships
Wondering how to coexist with difficult family members? Learn about common sources of conflict and how to deal with dysfunctional family relationships.
Online and Hotline Resources
National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 800-273-8255 – provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for your or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
Crisis Text Line: You can text “START” to 741-741 for 24/7 crisis-intervention help through exclusive text conversations.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers free crisis counseling, mental illness tools, information, and support you need.
Veteran’s Crisis Line connects all service members and their families to responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs 24/7.
Sexual Assault and Abuse – Sexual Assault Hotline: 815-758‐7922
Suicide Hotline – 24‐Hour Suicide Hotline: 800-784-2433
National Center for Victims of Crime: 800-394‐2255
Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline: 877-863‐6338
Confidentiality
The services provided through the Highland Community College Counseling Center are confidential, however, there are circumstances in which one’s personal information can be disclosed without written consent or authorization.
The center may disclose information without one’s consent or authorization in the following circumstances:
Child Abuse: If the counseling center therapist has reasonable cause to believe a child known to them in their professional capacity may be an abused child or a neglected child, this belief must be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Adult and Domestic Abuse: If the counseling center therapist has reason to believe that an individual (who is protected by state law) has been abused, neglected, or financially exploited, this belief must be repeated to the appropriate authorities.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings: If an individual is involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information by any party about the evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment and the records thereof, such information is privileged under state law, and information may not be released without a court order. We can release the information directly to a client at their request. Information about all other psychological services is also privileged and cannot be released without authorization or court order. The privilege does not apply when an individual is being evaluated by a third party of where the evaluation is court-ordered. One must be informed in advance if this is the case.
Serious Threat to Health and Safety: If an individual communicates to us a specific threat of imminent harm against another individual or if the counseling center therapist believes that there is a clear, imminent risk of physical or mental injury being inflicted against another individual, the therapist may make disclosures that he/she believes are necessary to protect that individual from harm. If the counseling center therapist believes that an individual presents an imminent, serious risk of physical or mental injury or death to themself, he/she may make disclosures considered necessary to protect them from harm.