Counseling Center

 

We, at the University of Washington Counseling Center, express our grief, sorrow, anger and compassion to all those who have been impacted by racial injustice that is occurring across our nation. Most recently, we witnessed the killings of Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo, and we were triggered by the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd.  We are in solidarity with too many communities in mourning, most recently Black, Latinx, Sikh, and AAPI communities.  These tragedies reflect a longstanding and entrenched history of structural and systemic injustice that we condemn and are dedicated to addressing. Our hearts are with the millions of protestors who have marched around the world denouncing police brutality and bringing awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement. While we feel emboldened by the increase in collective action and the solidarity expressed over the course of the previous year, we mourn as we bear witness to continued violence towards BIPOC bodies in a society that continues to uphold white supremacy instead of justice. Systemic racism and anti-blackness are deeply rooted forces of oppression in this country and dismantling both will require each of us to do our part.

 

As a mental health service, UWCC is committed to affirming and providing care for all of our students who have been directly or vicariously impacted by racial trauma. In the aftermath of experiencing or witnessing trauma, it is normal to experience a range of feelings and emotions, such as shock, fear, sadness, anger, helplessness, or guilt. We encourage you to contact our office if you (or someone you know) would like support with coping and healing. Please refer to our website and blog for more resources, including resources for Black students, students who identify as Non-Black People of Color, as well as White students.

We affirm the humanity of all BIPOC communities, while also committing ourselves to anti-racist policies and practices. We see you, we hear you, and we stand with you.

 

This resource is intended to help the UW community, particularly faculty and staff, navigate important conversations about violence perpetrated against communities of color. In this resource guide, you will find strategies for fostering thoughtful and difficult conversations in light of emotionally- or politically-charged news as well as mental health resources for students who may need additional support during challenging times.

The Counseling Center is providing all services via secure Zoom. Only University of Washington students are eligible for services at the Counseling Center. If you have questions about eligibility, click here.

 

For students physically in the state of Washington, your first appointment via secure Zoom will be an opportunity to discuss your current concerns and work with you to develop a collaborative plan for next steps. These steps may include effective coping strategies, a follow-up appointment, or referral to other resources. You will receive an email the day before your appointment with a link to the Zoom meeting and instructions on how to complete forms required for your appointment. We ask that you complete these forms no later than one hour before your appointment. (If you haven’t completed your forms by then, one of our staff members will contact you at the number you provided upon scheduling. If the forms are not complete by 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment, we will need to reschedule it.) To get the most out of your appointment, please use a private location. You may be able to schedule your first appointment online (may require you to open a private browser window) or call us at 206.543.1240.

For students who are physically out of state and/or for any student who is in crisis, UW has partnered with My SSP to give students access to real-time, confidential mental health and crisis intervention support, 24/7 and in multiple languages. There are several ways to connect:

We highly recommend that you download the My SSP app (Apple App Store | Google Play) to have the full range of services at your fingertips any time.

For more information about our crisis services, please refer to our Crisis Services page.

 

If you would like a copy of the consent documents you signed for your first appointment, here is our Informed Consent and our Informed Consent for Telemental Health.



Coping with Stress Related to Coronavirus Outbreak

Click here to learn more about Common Reactions towards the Coronavirus, Coping skills, dealing with biases and discriminations, and other resources.


Tips for Studying at Home

The University of Washington have transitioned from in-person to classes to online classes due to the Coronavirus. Studying from home can be very challenging and you may find yourself easily distracted. Here are some tips for studying from home.

Coping with COVID-19 Related Stress

Daily exposure to news about coronavirus may result in a range of responses. Reactions can be emotional, somatic, and/or behavioral, and can impact mental and physical health. Download and save the flyer for quick reference on how to cope during this difficult time.

How to Get Help

The Counseling Center offers multiple options for students seeking help coping with stress and mental health concerns. Students who are currently enrolled in degree-seeking programs at the Seattle campus are eligible for our counseling services.

Mental Health Resources

Wants tips to manage stress right now? Our mental health resources page contains relaxation podcasts, suggested mental health apps, and topical information (e.g., academic success, culture shock, grief), and more.

Resources

Workshops

We have a variety of workshops available to students on various topics.

Workshops

Individual Counseling

The Counseling Center offers individual short-term counseling to degree-seeking students enrolled at the Seattle campus. Students receiving short-term counseling will meet for an average of four to six sessions, scheduled bi-weekly or monthly. Learn more about the counseling process or read some frequently asked questions about counseling.

Schedule an APPOINTMENT

Group Counseling

Check out our group counseling offerings for this quarter!

Groups

Referrals

The Counseling Center offers referrals for students interested in long-term or specialized counseling.

Referrals

Crisis Services

The Counseling Center has partnered with My SSP to give students access to real-time, confidential mental health and crisis intervention support, 24/7 and in multiple languages. There are several ways to connect:

 

Crisis Services