Hotline Counselor

Apply to volunteer as a hotline counselor today! 

We are accepting applications for our Spring 2025 training class!

Email info@centrehelps.org for more information/future counseling opportunities!

Centre Helps Hotline Training Application

Please choose a time to complete this application when you can devote the attention necessary to give thoughtful and thorough answers. You will be asked to provide two references (with phone numbers), and you will have an opportunity to comment on work experience and attach a résumé if appropriate.

Centre Helps has answered the hotline uninterrupted since 1971. Our original mission was to provide alcohol and other drug intervention, information, and education. Over the years, our hotline services have expanded to include: emotional support, crisis and basic needs intervention, answering suicide calls for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and information and referral to community resources. We use an educational model. This means that we provide unbiased, non-judgmental support and education by validating feelings and positively reinforcing self-knowledge and interpersonal skills. With a drop-in center and 24-hour hotline as our foundation, we work to coordinate and deliver services throughout Centre County. We believe in the investment we are making and have benefited from the training and experience that we have received.

Centre Helps is an agency where all staff have a voice. All staff persons accept responsibility for a hotline/drop-in center shift that is scheduled on a per-semester basis. In addition, staff persons participate in policy development and in the administration of day-to-day tasks. 

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer Hotline Counselor must complete and submit an application. Accepted applicants must complete the training program before becoming a staff member. Training consists of two evening classes per week for 7 weeks (6:00-10:00pm), with some out-of-class activities. The exact days of training will be determined based on the availability of applicants. The classes are held either Monday/Wednesday evenings or Tuesday/Thursday evenings in addition to the weekend session. Training is held 3 times a year during the fall, spring, and summer.