Statement from Our Staff
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. These tragedies reflect a longstanding and entrenched history of structural and systemic injustice that we condemn and are dedicated to addressing. While these tragedies can be traumatizing for all of us, we recognize that they are especially injurious to members of our Black and African-American community. Our hearts are with the thousands of protestors who have marched on Seattle and throughout our country to denounce police brutality and bring awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement. Anti-blackness is a deeply rooted force of oppression in this country and dismantling systemic racism will require each of us to do our part. As a center we are committed to working internally and in connection with campus partners to address these issues.
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. Additionally, and in collaboration with the Ethnic Cultural Center, we are working on programming and resources to support our students and campus community. 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 Black and African-American communities, while also committing ourselves to anti-racist policies and practices. We see you, we hear you, and we stand with you.
How to Schedule An Appointment
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.
State law limits the services that we can provide to people who currently are not in Washington but we are happy to help you find local resources. Enrolled students who are physically out of state will be eligible for counseling services with us when they return to Washington and everyone can use the online mental health resources on our website (https://www.washington.edu/counseling/resources/) from any location.
If you are outside of Washington state and a current Counseling Center client, please let your counselor know. If you are outside of Washington state, but have not been seen at the Counseling Center in the past 6 months, and would like counseling services, please call and ask about out of state referral options. We will have a counselor call you back to work with you on referrals.
If you would like a copy of the consent documents you signed, here is our Informed Consent and our Informed Consent for Telemental Health.
NOTE: If you are in crisis, we have a counselor-on-duty who will meet with you via secure Zoom.
For more information about our crisis services, please refer to our Crisis Services page.
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.
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.
Group Counseling
We are not offering group counseling to new clients during spring quarter due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Referrals
The Counseling Center offers referrals for students interested in long-term or specialized counseling.
Crisis Services
During our business hours, a counselor is available to respond to urgent needs. If you are experiencing a crisis situation after hours and cannot wait until we are open, please call the Crisis Clinic at (206) 461-3222 or toll-free at 1-866-427-4747. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
