Personal Counseling

Counseling faculty offer short-term personal counseling, crisis counseling and referral services at no cost to students. We recognize that personal and emotional issues may impact personal, academic and career satisfaction. You may want to consult with a counselor if you are experiencing:
 

• Stress and anxiety
• Depression, grief, loss
• Addictive behaviors and eating disorders
• Anger and/or abuse
• Sexual concerns
• Cultural conflicts
• Relationship issues
• College and life transitions

 Counseling provides opportunities to:

• Develop self esteem
• Improve decision making skills
• Clarify personal values
• Explore personal identities
• Understand and build bridges in a multicultural world
• Explore issues of intimacy
• Enhance interpersonal communication
• Learn conflict resolution skills
• Employ stress management techniques

Is Counseling For Me?
Some students seek counseling during a period of crisis in their lives but you do not need to have a major problem before coming to the Center.

Problems Often Mentioned By Students

• Worrying too much, feeling tense
• Unwanted habits and/or addictions: overeating, insomnia, smoking, alcohol, other drugs
• Shyness, loneliness, lack of assertiveness
• Confusion and uncertainty about "who I am"
• Relationship issues: living together, breaking up, divorce
• Sexual issues/sexual identity
• Depression and suicidal feelings
• Independence; separation from parents

"What Is Counseling?"
We are here to help you resolve some of your life's puzzles. We try to do this by providing a comfortable and trusting relationship with a professionally trained and skilled counselor. Imagine having a conversation with someone who understands what you are saying, sees what you mean and honors your feelings. We do not try to put pieces in place for you. Rather, we hope to assist you in, gaining the skills and understanding you need to guide you toward your own solutions.

Counseling involves expressing your concerns, questions and feelings, and identifying ways to handle them. It is not a magical process, but one that requires your participation. Perhaps you can imagine yourself putting together a puzzle. You have all the pieces before you. Seeking the right combination can often leave you feeling frustrated. After several attempts, a key piece falls into place. What seemed impossible now seems solvable. Similarly, counseling may help you gain a new perspective on solutions to problems which have stumped you. Counseling may involve taking some risks, trying out new ways of being. With the support and involvement of a skilled counselor, this is often less difficult than you might think.

How Do I Make An Appointment?
Students arrange appointments with us on their own initiative. ALL Appointments Are FREE and can be scheduled in person in room 5229 (FOSS Building) of by calling 206-546-4559. Counseling appointments are confidential. Counselors are available during regularly scheduled hours. Evening counseling is also available. 

Appointments for counseling may be made with:

• Matt Orlando, M.S.W.
• Diana Sampson, M.A.
• Jeanne Strieck, M.A., LMHC
• Alicia Zweifach, M.A.