Counseling and Support

Life does not stop during law school. Balancing a rigorous academic schedule, extracurricular activities, and one's personal life can be overwhelming at times. Some issues that might arise include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety or fear of being called on in class (which affects class attendance)
  • Problems related to alcohol or drug use
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Compulsive gambling
  • Family issues, such as an ill parent or child
  • Juggling school and one's personal or family life
  • Concern about the impact of a prior problem on possible bar admission
  • Uncertainty about whether law school is the right choice for you
  • Issues related to grades and academic performance
  • Disrupted sleep or eating

Fortunately, Boston University and the Boston area provide several resources that can help:

  • BU Law Office of Student Affairs: meets with J.D. students with questions or concerns, or who need information about counseling or disability services and other educational and community resources.
  • Boston University Educational Resource Center: provides academic support programs to the B.U. community, helping them excel in their studies.
  • Student Health Services, Behavioral Medicine : includes a walk-in medical clinic, in-house laboratory, infirmary, and a behavioral medicine clinic which includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and a licensed social worker who serves as a crisis intervention counselor. The counseling resources are confidential (with very limited exceptions).
  • Danielsen Institute: Boston University’s confidential mental health care clinic licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
  • Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders: provides comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatments in individual and group formats, as well as in-depth assessments of psychological functioning.
  • Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers, Inc.: provides confidential counseling services for a wide variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, work/family balance issues, questions related to information that must be reported to the bar authorities and substance abuse.
  • International Students and Scholars Office: provides essential services and support to students, faculty and staff to ensure student, scholar and institutional compliance with federal regulations. The ISSO office provides professional expertise on immigration and employment issues.
  • Center for English Language and Orientation Programs: ensures that students receive the most advanced methods of intensive English instruction from professionals.
    Current BU Support Groups:

    Behavioral Medicine Clinic Groups:   881 Commonwealth Ave
    To make a referral or obtain more information please call the group leaders directly at 617-353-3569
    Grief and Loss Group               Monday         4:15-6PM Barbara Lewis MD, David Seeman PhD
    Bipolar Support Group             Monday           7-8PM             Phil Sandler MD
    Graduate Student Group           Wednesday  4:15-5:30         Paul Lipsitt PhD
    Coping with Chronic Medical Problems   Tuesday   6-7:15 PM  Sandy Clifford CNS
    Coping with Major Family Challenges   Wedesday    TBA  Ziva BenEzra PhD, Anne Stanton RN

    Groups in Formation at Behavioral Medicine, Student Health Services.  Please call if interested, at 617-353-3569
    Peace with Food and Body       Tuesday           4:30-6:00 PM  Margaret Ross MD

    Danielsen Institute, 185 Bay State Rd

    To make a referral or obtain more information call Danielsen Institute at 617-353-3047
    Young Adult Psychotherapy Group       Tuesday           6:30-8PM      Ages 20-35
    Adult Group                                         Thursday        6:30-8PM Ages 35-60
    Men’s Transition Group                        Tuesday           5-6:30PM Age 25-60 in the midst of a life transition

    CARD (CENTER FOR ANXIETY AND RELATED DISORDERS)  648 Beacon St

    To make a referral or obtain more information call CARD at 617-353-9610
    Social Phobia Groups.                          Various evenings           2 hours
    Time limited groups

    CENTER FOR PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION Group held at GSU

    To make a referral or obtain more information call Andrea Bengtson at 617-353-3549
    Active Minds:  a peer support group run by and for BU student to empower each other to live well on campus with challenges such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness Wednesday                  5:30-7PM           Refreshments served

                Other resources:
  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Gamblers Anonymous
  • LGBT Health
  • Jane Doe Inc. (issues of sexual assault or domestic violence)