Overview
College can be a fun and exciting time for making new friends, exploring new academic heights, and learning how to make it on your own. College is also about change and facing new challenges. It is not uncommon to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or confused about how to handle such situations. This is where counseling can be helpful.
The WAU Counseling Program offers counseling services for students to address a variety of needs. Faculty and staff may make referrals for students as needed.
Counseling Services Offered
Mental Wellness Services
What is “Wellness?” Wellness is a way of living that encourages holistic health that is supportive of academic and personal success and fulfillment.
Behavior Change/Lifestyle Management Programs are action-oriented programs designed to modify a lifestyle factor and/or facilitate behavior change (i.e., stress management, weight management, nutrition management, etc.).
Mental Wellness Workshops will be provided on an on-going basis for students throughout the school year.
Consultation Services
Consultations for staff, advisors, administrators, or faculty can address such issues as the services that are available on- and off-campus, how to refer a student to the counselor, how to resolve a particular situation, how to recognize students in trouble, etc. Counselors are also available to consult with concerned roommates, friends, or family members of students in distress.
Concerned others should be aware that confidential information about a particular student’s contact with the counselor will not be divulged to any concerned party without the student’s written permission (in keeping with the law and ethical standards). Nevertheless, consultation is often very helpful to those who are worried about a student – it can help clarify what the student may be experiencing, ways to be helpful to the student, what sort of resources might be available to the student, etc.
Outreach Services
The Counselor offers programs and services to the entire Washington Adventist University community through a variety of formats, including workshops, seminars, Internet-based information and informational brochures. The content of the outreach programs and consultation services varies depending upon the needs of the University community.
The Counselor welcomes the opportunity to present in your class or organized group. Below you will find a list of possible topics that can be presented in a workshop fashion.
Possible Workshop Topics:
- Adjustment to College Life
- Anger management
- Depression and Suicide
- Diversity awareness
- Relaxation & Stress Management
Workshops tailored to your classroom or group can be arranged. If any of these topics are of interest, or if you are interested in a topic not listed above, please contact us at kbaxter@wau.edu or 301-891-4089.
Training Programs
Training sessions are available to student organizations, faculty, staff, and administrators regarding, for example, orientations to Counseling services, training in crisis-intervention, presentations on specific topics/issues in mental health or college life, etc.
Crisis Intervention Services
Students can arrange to see a counselor on an emergency basis during weekday business hours. (Emergency appointments are available the same day, while non-emergency appointments are generally available within a few days to a week.)
After-hours personal crisis support is also available from several 24-7 Hotlines in the DC/MD area. In the event of an emergency crisis please call 911 or visit your nearest hospital.
What is Counseling?
Counseling is the process of discussing difficulties and exploring possible solutions with someone who is a trained mental health professional. Counseling can help you clarify your concerns, gain insight into yourself and others, and learn new ways to most effectively cope and/or resolve problems.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is provided to help you sort out your situation, your feelings, your options and resources that might be of help to you. If the support you need is not available on campus, the counselor can help you locate and connect with appropriate, affordable, accessible resources off-campus.
Students seek counseling for a wide variety of concerns which include but not limited to:
- Relationships issues with family, friends, roommates, or other important people in your life
- Sexual identity or sexual orientation
- Feelings of anxiety or panic
- Life decisions or direction
- Feelings of depression, hopelessness
- Self-esteem
- Coping with a psychological or physical illness or disability
- Coping with traumatic events or memories
*Counseling is confidential, protected by law and by ethical standards.
Small-Group Counseling
Groups provide a caring context in which you can talk confidentially with other students who share your concerns or experiences. A group can be a wonderful source of feedback, support, good humor, and creative ideas for how to cope with personal or interpersonal challenges.
Connect to our WAU Telehealth Service for more information:
WAU Telehealth
