The Hunterdon Learning Center is an educational social system formed as a therapeutic community.  The HLC community creates a network of mutual support, encourages a sense of belongingness, and requires members to be responsible for themselves and to each other.

All staff members (teachers, administrators, and counselors) work toward promoting behavior change, increasing self esteem, raising students confidence in their ability to succeed, and helping students set goals and gain the academic and social skills necessary to reach them.  From the way students are greeted when they step off their buses in the morning,  to the individualized selection of classroom materials, the entire staff works together to create a stimulating yet supportive environment.  In short, all programs and activities at the Hunterdon Learning Center are designed to be therapeutic as well as educational.

Within this context, The Hunterdon Learning Center provides a variety of formal and informal counseling experiences for students.  All students participate in regularly scheduled group counseling three times a week.  Individual counseling is also provided when requested by students or when viewed as necessary by the counseling staff.  Most of the individual counseling is arranged to address current conflicts and crises and to provide follow-up attention related to issues raised during group discussions.

In addition, numerous social activities as well as the daily Hunterdon Learning Center instructional program are planned to create personal discussion between students and staff related to students conflicts and conduct, values and life goals.

Students who require more intensive counseling, psychotherapy, or addiction assistance may need supplementary services from other professionals outside of school and are referred accordingly.