Counseling

Personal Counseling
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 Advising and Counseling Center. Counseling involves expressing your concerns, questions and feelings, and identifying ways to handle them.

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. Call 206-546-4559 or come in (5229 FOSS Building) and ask for an appointment. We will schedule appointments at your convenience. Counselors are available during regularly scheduled hours. Evening counseling is also available. There is no charge, and counseling is confidential. We offer individual and group counseling.

Appointments for counseling may be made with:

• Nancy Field, M.Ed., LMHC
• Marty Olsen, M.Ed., LMHC
• Linda Sue Nelson, M.Ed., LMHC
• Matt Orlando, M.S.W.
• Diana Sampson, M.A.
• Jeanne Strieck, M.A., LMHC
• Alicia Zweifach, M.A.