Blue Square Blog

Check back often for articles full of helpful tips for managing the mental health of you and your family.

Therapy for College Students in MA: What to Expect and How to Get Started
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

Therapy for College Students in MA: What to Expect and How to Get Started

Starting college is a big step — new classes, new friends, and a whole new world of experiences. It’s also a time when many students face mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, loneliness, or uncertainty about the future. If you’re considering therapy but aren’t sure what it’s like or how to begin, you’re not alone. Therapy can feel intimidating at first, but it’s a powerful tool to support your mental wellbeing and help you navigate college life with more confidence.

If you’re a college student in Massachusetts — whether near Billerica, Lexington, or anywhere else — this guide will walk you through what therapy looks like and how to get started, including options for in-person and telehealth sessions.

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Safe, Seen, and Supported: LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy in Massachusetts
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

Safe, Seen, and Supported: LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy in Massachusetts

Finding a therapist who truly understands and affirms your LGBTQ+ identity can be life-changing. In Massachusetts, many LGBTQ+ individuals face unique challenges—whether it’s navigating family tensions, coping with discrimination, or healing from trauma. Affirming therapy creates a safe, supportive space where you can be your authentic self and receive care that respects your whole experience.

If you’re searching for LGBTQ+ affirming therapy in Massachusetts, you’re not alone—and help is here. At Blue Square Counseling, we specialize in inclusive, trauma-informed mental health care designed to empower LGBTQ+ clients at every step of their journey.

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Overthinking Everything? How CBT Helps College Students Stop the Spiral
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

Overthinking Everything? How CBT Helps College Students Stop the Spiral

College life can be thrilling — new classes, new friends, and exciting opportunities. But for many students, it can also feel like your mind is stuck on repeat, cycling through worries, doubts, and “what if” scenarios that just won’t stop. If you find yourself overthinking everything — from test scores to social situations to future plans — you’re not alone. Overthinking is a common experience for college students, and it can contribute to anxiety, rumination, and decision paralysis that make daily life feel overwhelming.

The good news? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a proven approach that helps students break free from the spiral of overthinking and regain control of their thoughts and emotions.

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Healing from the Inside Out: How Reiki and Holistic Therapies Support LGBTQ+ Mental Health
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

Healing from the Inside Out: How Reiki and Holistic Therapies Support LGBTQ+ Mental Health

For many LGBTQ+ individuals, mental health journeys often involve healing not only the mind but also the body and spirit. Traditional talk therapy is invaluable, yet holistic therapies like Reiki and yoga-informed therapy offer complementary pathways to wellness that honor the whole person—mind, body, and soul.

At Blue Square Counseling in Massachusetts, we’re proud to offer these alternative healing modalities alongside counseling services, creating a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ clients exploring diverse ways to nurture mental health and emotional balance.

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What LGBTQ+ Young Adults Want from a Therapist (And How to Find the Right Fit)
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

What LGBTQ+ Young Adults Want from a Therapist (And How to Find the Right Fit)

Therapy is for everyone—but not every therapist is the right fit for you.

For LGBTQ+ young adults, finding a therapist who truly gets it can be the difference between just surviving and actually thriving. Whether you’re exploring your identity, navigating relationships, managing anxiety or depression, or just trying to make it through college life, you deserve a space where you feel supported, not judged.

At Blue Square Counseling, we specialize in working with young adults—including many LGBTQ+ clients—and we believe mental health care should always be affirming, inclusive, and empowering.

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Burnout Isn’t Just Work Stress—Here’s How Therapy Helps You Recover
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

Burnout Isn’t Just Work Stress—Here’s How Therapy Helps You Recover

Burnout has become a buzzword in recent years, but for those experiencing it firsthand, it’s far more than a trend. It’s a heavy, draining, and often invisible struggle that impacts your work, relationships, energy levels, and even your sense of identity. If you’re constantly tired, unmotivated, or emotionally detached, it’s not just “a busy season”—you might be experiencing burnout.

At Blue Square Counseling, we offer compassionate, evidence-based therapy for burnout to help adults and professionals recover, reset, and reconnect with what matters most.

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Why Therapy Isn’t Just for Crisis: How Young Adults Can Build Resilience Now
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

Why Therapy Isn’t Just for Crisis: How Young Adults Can Build Resilience Now

When you think of therapy, you might picture someone going through a tough breakup, grieving a loss, or struggling with panic attacks—and yes, therapy can absolutely help in those moments. But what if you didn’t have to wait for a crisis to begin?

More and more young adults are turning to therapy as a proactive tool for wellness, clarity, and self-growth. And we think that’s a smart move.

At Blue Square Counseling, we support young adults and college students across Massachusetts—in-person in Billerica and Lexington, and via telehealth statewide—who want to take charge of their mental health before things feel overwhelming.

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Mental Health Matters: Supporting LGBTQ+ College Students Beyond the Rainbow
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

Mental Health Matters: Supporting LGBTQ+ College Students Beyond the Rainbow

College can be an exciting time of growth and discovery—but for LGBTQ+ students, it can also be a time of increased emotional stress. Navigating identity, family relationships, and campus life while dealing with discrimination or internalized shame can take a toll on mental health. That’s why it’s so important to shine a light on the unique mental health challenges LGBTQ+ college students face—and how therapy can help.

At Blue Square Counseling, we provide LGBTQ+ affirming therapy for young adults in college, both in person at our offices in Billerica and Lexington, MA, and through virtual telehealth across Massachusetts. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, identity-related stress, or just need a safe space to talk, you don’t have to go through it alone.

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How CBT Can Help You Break the Cycle of Negative Thinking in College
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

How CBT Can Help You Break the Cycle of Negative Thinking in College

College is often painted as “the best years of your life.” But for many students, it’s also one of the most emotionally challenging times. Between academic pressure, social comparisons, and the weight of expectations, it’s easy to fall into patterns of self-doubt and harsh inner criticism.

If you constantly think, “I’m not good enough,” or “I’m going to fail,” you’re not alone. These thoughts can become a mental loop that’s hard to escape—but there’s a proven way to interrupt it. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective tools for helping students overcome negative thinking and regain confidence and clarity.

At Blue Square Counseling, we offer CBT therapy for students in and around Billerica and Lexington, MA, and via telehealth or online counseling, helping young adults challenge unhelpful beliefs and develop healthier, more empowering thought patterns.

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5 Signs You’re Struggling More Than You Think in College (And How Therapy Can Help)
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

5 Signs You’re Struggling More Than You Think in College (And How Therapy Can Help)

College is supposed to be one of the most exciting times in life. New freedom, new friends, and the chance to figure out who you are.

But for many students, it’s also incredibly stressful.

If you're feeling off lately—tired, irritable, disconnected—it might be more than just a rough week. Mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and burnout are common among college students, and they don’t always show up in obvious ways.

At Blue Square Counseling, we work with young adults and college students across Massachusetts (in person and via telehealth) to help them feel better, think more clearly, and get back to enjoying life again.

Here are five signs you might be struggling more than you realize—and how therapy can help.

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Homesick, Overwhelmed, or Anxious? Why College Might Be Harder Than You Expected
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

Homesick, Overwhelmed, or Anxious? Why College Might Be Harder Than You Expected

You’ve made it to college. You packed your bags, moved into a dorm, and started a new chapter. But instead of feeling excited and free, you feel… off. Maybe it’s anxiety. Maybe it’s homesickness. Maybe it’s a mix of everything. If college has been harder than you expected, you’re not alone—and more importantly, you don’t have to figure it out alone either.

At Blue Square Counseling, we specialize in therapy for students away from home. Our team understands the emotional rollercoaster that can come with this life transition—and we’re here to support you through it.

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5 Common Mental Health Struggles College Students Face—And How Therapy Can Help
Emily Hammons Emily Hammons

5 Common Mental Health Struggles College Students Face—And How Therapy Can Help

College is often described as “the best time of your life”—but for many students, it can also be one of the most stressful. Between academic pressure, major life transitions, and growing independence, it’s no surprise that college students frequently experience mental health challenges.

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone—and support is available. At Blue Square Counseling, we specialize in therapy for college students, offering individualized care to help you manage stress, anxiety, and other common concerns.

Here are five common mental health struggles college students face—and how counseling for students can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

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