Welcome to my website!
SAC counseling services are a confidential support for students- primarily focused on drug/alcohol prevention and mental/behavioral health issues. Students are referred to the SAC by the school counselors, educators, administrators, parents, peers and/or student self-referrals.
I offer confidential individual and group counseling services and my groups are topic-specific. Groups topics are as follows:
grief, depression, anger management/emotion regulation, anxiety, self-esteem, adjusting to living in an ooh (out-of-home) placement setting, coping with family conflict, how addiction affects the family, LGBTQ+, and more.
I am also responsible for universal and targeted prevention programming and interventions throughout the school year - such as prevention assemblies and guest speakers, social awareness weeks, boys/girls leadership clubs, class visits, and more.
This website will be updated with current community workshops, resources, and supports. I will have links for topic-specific referral information (grief, addiction, mental/behavioral health, domestic violence, etc.) and community service resources (food pantries, health care resources and more). If you or someone you care for has a need not listed, please reach out to me and I will assist you in finding the appropriate supports. I can be reached at 609-267-4226 ext 8173 or ccech@burlcoschools.org. In addition, you can refer a student to me through the 2022-2023 SAC Referral Form .
My door is always open! Do not hesitate to reach out. I am here to assist YOU!
“Somehow we’ve come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but we’re very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. It’s as if we’ve divided the world into “those who offer help” and “those who need help." The truth is that we are both. We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.”
Colleen Cech, LCSW
Student Assistant Counselor
I'd like to introduce myself to the BCIT community. My name is Colleen Cech and I am the Student Assistant Counselor (SAC) here at BCIT - Westampton Campus. Although I joined the BCIT family in May 2019, I am not new to the SAC role or to working with youth and their families. Just to share with you a little about myself professionally, I am a clinical social worker by trade and have spent most of my career in the individual and family therapy world. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Syracuse University, where I was also a member to the SU field hockey team for four years. I received my Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers-Camden and subsequently became a NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), practicing in the south Jersey region. I went on to obtain my SAC certification from TCNJ and transitioned from the mental-behavioral health sector to the public education system. Through my work in the school system, I am able to bring valuable mental-health experience, knowledge of community supports for appropriate referrals and linkage, and also provide direct counseling services to students. I am continuing my education further through UPenn's Applied Positive Psychology certification program and hope to incorporate further strength-based supports for the WestTech community.
I'd also like to share a little about myself personally, as well. In my free time, I love spending time with my three daughters and two dogs, they keep me very busy outside of the school day. I also enjoy getting out and about, by exploring fun, community activities with my girls (parks, theater, library, and more), and coaching their sports teams. Besides my three daughters, three other things I enjoy the most are music, food and fitness. My free time is spent attending concerts, trying new restaurants, and staying physically active. I fully believe in the power of the mind-body connection, that physical fitness is a vital component to staying happy, healthy and motivated to live your best life.
I am incredibly grateful to merge my professional and personal passions to assist you or your loved one on their journey to wellness. We all have the potential to live productive and joyful lives. If you do not know where to start, it is ok. We will start the process together, as I am here to assist you. One day at a time. Because each day is a gift and we will unwrap it so.
I am so glad you are here!
~Colleen Cech
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
In addition to my role as the SAC, I am also WesTech's Anti-bullying Specialist. Please see the link below if you need to report an incident of harassment, intimidation or bullying.
Bullying Prevention Resources
NJDOE: Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB)
Pacer: National Bullying Prevention Center
Guidance for Parents on the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act
Mental Health Matters newsletters
2022-2023 newsletters:
October 2022 - Prevention Education and Awareness Month - Volume 1
September 2022 - Suicide Prevention Month
2021-2022 archived newsletters:
May 2022 - Mental Health Awareness Month
Feb/March 2022 - The essential roles of SELF-CARE and COMPASSION
January 2022 - Finding Your Motivation
December 2021 - Coping and Resilience
November 2021 - Stigma, Myths, Empathy and what to do about it
September 2021 - Building Relationships
Community Resources/
Referral information
(Click on underlined words to access websites directly)
Mental and Behavioral Health
Counseling Resources
SCIP (Screening and Crisis Intervention Program)
@ Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County
218 Sunset Road
Willingboro, NJ 08046
Burlington County
(609) 261-8000 or (609) 835-6180 (home out-reach)
In-Home out-reach and support:
Request Perform Care to schedule appointment or request Mobile Response for immediate services.
1-877-652-7624 (24 hours a day/7 days a week)
Local Burlington County Resources
The Community Counseling Center of Moorestown VNA
Family Support Organization of Burlington County
Family Support Organization programs/workshops:
Penn Medicine - Princeton House Behavioral Health
Hampton Behavioral Health Center
State Mental Health Resource Guide
State-wide mental health guide
NJ Department of Human Services Resource Guide
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Programs offered: Free 6 Week Program. (856) 222-9400. NAMI Basics is a 6-session education program for parents, caregivers and other family who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms. Please email us at namibasicsburlingtoncounty@yahoo.com
Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention: YOU ARE NOT ALONE
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
NJ Youth Helplines
Call: 988
Text or call: 1-888-222-2228
NJ Suicide Prevention Hope line
1-855-654-6735
Text HOME to 741741
Addiction Support and Recovery
Center for Family Services: Addiction and Recovery
Enlightened Solutions: Holistic Addiction Treatment Center and Rehab Facility
Solstice Counseling & Wellness Center
SAMSHA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
SODAT (Services to Overcome Drug Abuse Among Teenagers)
Starting Point - 12 Steps to a Better Future
(Coordinate and facilitate many programs including appropriate referrals to counseling and psychotherapy, workshops, forums, Twelve-Step meetings, and weekend programs)
Grief Support
Autumn 2022 Weekend Grief Camps (Ages 7-17)
Community Grief Support Groups and Individual Grief Counseling
Grief Counseling (dates & times) - groups & individual
Online Grief Resources
(podcasts, videos, articles, books and more)
NJ Grief and Loss/COVID-19 supports
Guiding the Education Community Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
Good Grief
Good Grief is a program that builds resilience in children, strengthens families, and empowers communities to grow from loss and adversity.
(Individual, group and family counseling; camps; and more)
A Better Tomorrow Counseling Services
P:856-266-4983 | F:856-637-2274 | info@abettertomorrowcounselingservices.com
hillarybilek@griefreliefcenter.com
609-379-3024
Developmental Disabilities /
Special Education Resources
SPAN Parent Advocacy - Empowered Parents: Educated, Engaged, Effective
NJ.gov Special Needs Education
A brief from the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE)
Pacer Center: Champions for Children with Disabilities
Eating Disorders Treatment & Recovery
Princeton Center for Eating Disorders
National Institute of Mental Health - Eating Disorders
Violence Prevention and Support Resources
NJ DCF (Department of Children and Families) state DV resources
NJCEDV (New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence) (contacts/resources/hotlines/shelter)
NJ Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline:
Call 1-800-572-SAFE (7233)
National Domestic Violence Videophone
for Deaf survivors:
Call 1-855-812-1001, or Text LOVEIS to 22522
SERV (Services Empowering the Rights of Victims)
SERV: Teen Dating Violence Facts/Data
New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault
1-800-601-7200
Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) Hotline
Phone 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) Chat now on their website: Rainn.org
Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office:
All survivors in NJ have the right to the speak with a prosecutor after filing a report to learn about their options in reporting.
609-265-5035
Planned Parenthood (Delran, NJ)
Reproductive Healthcare, Sex Education, STI/STD Testing
609-788-3195
Provides services to meet the needs of newly arriving refugees, victims of human trafficking and unaccompanied children. Provides English classes, health and wellness information, legal representation to low-income individuals in relation to immigration law.
215-893-8400
Burlington County Child Advocacy Center
A child friendly atmosphere for victims being introduced to the criminal justice process. Juvenile victims are interviewed here.
http://www.burlpros.org/units-departments/child-advocacy-center/
609-265-5881
Burlington County Adult Protective Services
For vulnerable adults living in Burlington County that is experiencing abusive living situations.
609-518-4793
Burlington County Board of Social Services
Board of Social Services helps with services such as emergency assistance, housing, child support, health coverage and more.
609-261-1000
Division of Child Protection and Permanency:
1-877-NJABUSE (652 2873)
To report suspicions or allegations of child abuse
Housing Assistance/Homeless resources
Housing Hub
609-265-5185
Local Homeless/Emergency Housing contacts
LGBTQ
The Safe Zone Project
The Safe Zone Project is a free online resource for powerful, effective LGBTQ awareness and ally training workshops.
Youth-centric LGBTQ program providing support and guidance to South Jersey teens.
Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
Championing LGBTQ issues in K-12 education since 1990
GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together we can transform our nation's schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.
Our priorities: proud people, loving families, safe communities, and a diverse and inclusive world.
The PFLAG Chapter Network--with over 400 chapters across the country--provides confidential peer support, education, and advocacy to LGBTQ+ people, their parents and families, and allies. PFLAG chapters are in communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. With 200,000+ members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas, PFLAG has been saving lives, strengthening families, and changing hearts, minds and laws since 1972.
Chapter Name: PFLAG Collingswood
State: NJ
Phone Number: (856) 834-6355
Email: pflagcollingswood@gmail.com
GSE (Garden State Equality)
New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ advocacy and education organization with over 150,000 members.
GSE mission is to provide quality, innovative community programs, educate and train service providers, and pass pro-equality policies to protect and meet the needs of LGBTQ New Jerseyans.
Burlington County Gay & Lesbian Alliance
2605 Saxony Drive
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
(609)802-0394
Mental Health Apps
Insight Timer - mental health app with over 90,000 FREE meditations
Headspace - live a healthier, happier, more well-rested life in just a few minutes a day with the Headspace app.
Calm - mental health app for meditation and sleep.
Mental Health Online Resources
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)