A clinical therapist from Transformative Growth Counseling is available to talk with you privately and confidentially at no additional cost. Common reasons students might reach out for counseling include: career counseling, stress management, anxiety, test anxiety, depression, family/friend and relationship conflict/stressors, life transitions, trauma, self-esteem and first-generation college experience.
Clinical Site Manager and Licensed Professional Counselor
Liz Hamilton
Liz Hamilton is a compassionate beginning counselor who employs an integrative approach to therapy, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, attachment theory, and person-centered techniques. She has extensive experience working with a diverse population, including first-generation and low-income students, providing essential support as they navigate academic and personal challenges. Liz is an alumna of Highland Community College and holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Columbia College of Missouri. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Marquette University. Liz is committed to fostering a supportive and empowering environment for her clients, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.
Contact Information
Email: counseling@highland.edu or liz@transformativegrowth.org
Call: (815) 599-3611
Text: (608) 352-3195
Scheduling
Student Scheduling
• Students may schedule an appointment by sending an email in their student email account to counseling@highland.edu.
Join a Virtual Zoom Meeting
• Join a Virtual Meeting: Liz Hamilton is available every Friday virtually. You can join the meeting using the following Zoom link: https://highland.zoom.us/j/81134614286?pwd=WVq2Bu7VQu1XXn4HTDrga3uXl1ERmS.1
Location on Campus/Hours of Service
Located in the HCC Welcome Center, first floor of building H, office H-116B. Ask the Student Information Assistant to speak with the counselor.
- Available in person, Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Available on Zoom, Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (link)
To make an appointment, visit transformativegrowth.org/, phone 630-423-6010 or email contact@transformativegrowth.org.
Walk-ins are welcome! Come sign up for a session and learn more about the counseling process.
IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL COUNSELING SERVICES ARE FREE FOR ALL HCC STUDENTS!
Transformative Growth Counseling is a safe space, and we support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and First-Generation students.
Sexual Assault Services
A sexual assault counselor from VOICES provides confidential services and help to access on and off-campus assistance. Students may file a confidential report to reach the VOICES counselor via the sexual assault reporting form.
For additional information, please see the list of campus contacts.
Crisis Resources
⟫ 988: The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
If you need support now, call or text 988 or chat at https://988lifeline.org/
⟫ The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project offers support to the LGBTQ young adult community. It is a 24/7 suicide hotline.
24 hour hotline: (866) 488-7386
Website: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
⟫ Crisis Text Line
To connect with a live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor, text HOME to 741741.
Website: https://www.crisistextline.org
⟫ 2-1-1
Phone: Dial 2-1-1
2-1-1 gets you in contact with a community resource specialist to help with crisis, emergency, and essential needs.
Website: https://211.org/
⟫ Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
24 Hour Hotline: (800) 985-5990
Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
⟫ Veterans Association
The VA’s focus is to help veterans of all ages adjust to the transition of coming back, in addition to helping with any mental health issues or relationships. The VA offers 24/7 help with live chat available on their website.
Hotline: Call 988 and press 1
Textline: 838255
Chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat
Website: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/
⟫ Salvation Army of Freeport & Stephenson County
The Salvation Army is a social service location. They have a food pantry, disaster services, emergency financial assistance, food and nutrition programs, and more.
Addresses: 106 W Exchange St. Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 235-7639
Website: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/freeport/
⟫ Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency (NICAA)
The NICAA has resources for Stephenson and Jo Daviess counties, such as energy assistance, emergency vehicle/housing repairs, Head Start daycare, scholarships, and more.
Addresses: 106 W Exchange St. Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 232-3141
Website: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/freeport/
⟫ Tri-County Opportunities Council
The Tri-County Opportunities Council has resources for Lee, Carroll, and Ogle counties, such as energy assistance, emergency vehicle/housing repairs, Head Start daycare, scholarships, and more.
Address: 735 N. Galena Ave., Suite 105, Dixon, IL 61021
Phone: (815) 994-4903
⟫ Freeport Area Church Cooperative (FACC)
FACC provides food, shelter, clothing and emergency services to those most in need.
Address: 514 S Chicago Ave., Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 233-0435
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Resources
⟫ New Horizon’s Counseling Center
New Horizon’s Counseling Center provides counseling for individuals, couples, families, seniors, teens, adolescents, children, and groups. They specialize in depression, anxiety, family conflict, parenting, self-esteem, divorce, stress management, anger management, and more.
Address: 34 N Whistler Ave., Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 235-6171
Website: https://www.newhorizonscounselingcenter.com/
⟫ Sinnissippi Centers
Sinnissippi Centers is a community based behavioral healthcare center that has provided quality care to the Illinois residents of Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside Counties since 1966. Sinnissippi is a fully accredited behavioral healthcare agency by The Joint Commission.
Address: 524 W Stephenson St., Suite 340, Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 516-8898
Website: https://sinnissippi.org/
⟫ Rosecrance Stephenson County
Rosecrance Stephenson County offers behavioral health services for mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders for children, teens, adults, and families. Levels of care and support include screenings and assessments; individual, group, and family therapy; intensive outpatient program (IOP) treatment, and continuing care.
Address: 1631 S Galena Ave., Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: (815) 391-1004
Website: https://www.rosecrance.org/locations/rosecrance-stephenson-county/
⟫ Midwest Medical Center
Midwest Medical Center will provide the caring, competent, cost-effective healthcare every member of this great community deserves.
Address: 1 Medical Center Dr., Galena, IL 61036
Phone: (815) 777-1340
Website: https://www.midwestmedicalcenter.org/behavioral-health
⟫ Stephenson County AA Meetings Link: https://aa-nwil.org/meetings/
⟫ Stephenson County NA Meetings Link: https://www.narcotics.com/na-meetings/illinois/freeport-illinois/
⟫ Finding A Mental Health Provider
The National Council for Behavioral Health– Search for organizations that are committed to providing mental health services to anyone in the community who needs it regardless of their ability to pay. Website: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/get-involved/members/?state=il
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – SAMHSA provides information on mental health services and treatment centers through an online service locator. You can search by your location, whether or not they provide services for youth, payment options (private insurance, cash, or something else), languages spoken, etc. Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help
Domestic & Sexual Violence Support
⟫ Loveisrespect
Loveisrespect focuses on young adult relationships and hopes to end dating abuse. They offer 24/7 help and live chat available online.
Hotline: (866) 331-9474
Text line: text LOVEIS to 22522
Website: https://loveisrespect.org/
⟫ Rape, Abuse, and Incest Network
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the “nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.” Their goal is to provide options and programs to victims, in addition to finding ways of preventing sexual violence. RAINN offers 24/7 help and they have live chat available online.
Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Website: https://rainn.org/
⟫ VOICES of Stephenson County
VOICES is a non-profit organization located in Stephenson County that offers support services for all victims and survivors (and significant others) of domestic abuse and sexual abuse. Domestic violence services available are a 24/7 crisis line, domestic violence counseling, legal advocacy, knowledge services, transitional housing, virtual legal clinic, support group, safety planning, and more. Sexual assault services available are a 24/7 crisis line, sexual assault and abuse prevention program, quarterly meeting for sexual assault, and several other services.
Address: 565 N Turner Ave., Freeport, IL 61032
Domestic Violence Hotline: (815) 235-1641
Sexual Assault Hotline: (815) 235-7200
Phone: (815) 235-9421
Email contact: voices@voicesofsc.org
Website: https://voicesofsc.org/
⟫ Riverview Center
Riverview Center offers 100% free and confidential services for survivors of sexual violence in Iowa, and for survivors of sexual and domestic violence in Illinois. Services include 24-hour crisis hotlines, legal, medical and social service advocacy, long- and short-term counseling, trauma-informed therapy, transition and basic needs assistance, and more.
Address: 1789 Elm St., Dubuque, IA 52001
Jo Daviess Domestic Violence Hotline: (815) 777-3680
Jo Daviess Sexual Assault Hotline: (815) 777-8155
Carroll Domestic Violence Hotline: (815) 244-1320
Carroll Sexual Assault Hotline: (815) 244-7772
Phone: (815) 777-8167 (Galena Office)
Phone: (815) 244-7704 (Mt. Carroll Office)
Website: https://riverviewcenter.org/
Additional Resources
To learn more about on-campus, local, and national resources or to take a quick MindWise mental health screening, log in to the student portal and go to the Counseling page on the main portal side menu.
Academic and Conduct Referral Form
Highland Community College believes in developing a supportive community of learners. We encourage faculty, staff, students, and members of the college community to alert us to academic and conduct concerns. This referral form provides a convenient tool for reporting early academic and other concerns.
Your referral will be automatically routed to the appropriate responder and will help us provide more timely intervention services.