Counseling Services

NCSSM - Durham Campus

NCSSM Counseling Services is committed to creating an environment that celebrates the unique stories and voices of each member of our community, recognizing all dimensions of identity (e.g., ethnicity, culture, race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, physical and mental abilities, religious beliefs and socioeconomic background). Our approach to mental health and wellness integrates physical, emotional, academic, spiritual, social, and cultural well-being. We support students’ adjustment to the NCSSM community, individual personal growth, academic endeavors, and transition to college or other life pursuits.

Connect with us!

Royall Center, 2nd Floor

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday

8:30am - 5:00pm

919.416.2835 (phone)

844. 929.1420 (fax)

itMatters

itMatters: Student Well-Being is an online, evidence-based behavioral intervention designed specifically to promote well-being among students by sharing healthy behavioral strategies and tools that will empower students' in high schools and colleges to make well-informed decisions. Find the fall schedule here: itMatters Schedule.

How to seek support and connect with an NCSSM counselor:

Students are assigned alphabetically by last name to a school counselor.
Email your assigned school counselor or counseling intern by clicking on their highlighted name below.
Schedule an appointment with your assigned school counselor by clicking on their appointment calendar link below. If their calendar is full, schedule an appointment with the counseling intern.
If you are interested in meeting with a wellness counselor, complete the following form WELLNESS SELF-REFERRAL FORM. Once completing the form, one of the wellness counseling team memberes will email you within a couple of days to schedule an appointment.
While appointments are preferred, walk-ins who have time-sensitive or urgent needs may be seen by an available counselor.

Need to speak to someone after hours about an urgent mental health need?

See the Community Coordinator on duty at the Bryan desk or call 919.416.2825. If needed, they will connect you with an on-call licensed therapist through ProtoCall.
Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988
Text START to the Crisis Text Line 741-741
Text START to The Trevor Project 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386

Interested in finding a therapist?

Click here to learn about NCSSM's referral resources.

Have barriers to accessing therapy?

Click here to learn about ways NCSSM may be able to support you in paying for therapy.

Meet the Staff of Durham's Residential Counseling Services

Lori Newnam

Dean

Royall 216

919.416.2838

Pam Oxendine

Program Assistant

Royall 208

919.416.2835

Scott Schwartz

School Counselor

Royall 209

919.416.2840

Appointment Calendar for the following students only:

Juniors: Abdul-Dober

Seniors: Adali-Dowden

Lamia Younes

School Counselor

Royall 212

919.416.2837

Appointment Calendar for the following students only:

Juniors: Domachowski-Kolar

Seniors: Downs-Lei

Damon Toone

School Counselor

Royall 217

919.416.2704

Appointment Calendar for the following students only:

Juniors: Kolla-Rubio-Mendiola

Seniors: Lin-Posadas-Saldana

Janice Webster

School Counselor

Royall 214

919.416.2831

Appointment Calendar for the following students only:

Juniors: Safir-Zou

Seniors: Pramanik-Zmijewski

Justine Davey

School Counselor

Royall 215

919.416.2690

Appointment Calendar for the following students only:

Juniors: Kolla-Rubio-Mendiola

Seniors: Lin-Posadas-Saldana

Gina Burger

Wellness Counselor

Royall 213

919.416.2834

Refer to the information above regarding the wellness referral form.

Carissa Trotta

Wellness Counselor

Academic Accessibility Specialist

Royall 211

919.416.2832

Refer to the information above regarding the wellness referral form.

Dasni Lakpriya

Case Manager/Wellness Counselor

Royall 210

919.416.2682

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Refer to the information above regarding the wellness referral form.

Sisley Luo

Counseling Intern, UNC-CH

Royall 216A

Appointment Calendar

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Counseling Personnel.pdf

Welcome to Counseling Services!

School Counselors - All NCSSM students are assigned to a school counselor before they begin their junior year. Families and students can locate the name of their assigned counselor in Blackbaud. Counselors host introductory, small group meetings with their students at the beginning of every academic school year to introduce themselves and Counseling Services. School Counselors provide college and career planning, academic counseling, and personal counseling through individual, small and large group sessions.

Wellness Counselors - If a counselor or student believes that a student needs additional mental health support, the student’s counselor can refer them to a NCSSM Wellness Counselor. Wellness Counselors provide support for more significant chronic and acute mental health needs. They also assist in coordinating referrals to outside mental health services. School Counselors can also make these referrals.

Peer Counseling Coordinators

PCCs help orient students to the services provided by counselors, assist students with information related to the college process, scholarships, financial aid, and enrichment opportunities, and coordinate initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion and mental health.