Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much do counseling sessions cost?
The Counseling Center provides 6 free counseling sessions per academic year for currently enrolled University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia students.
Will anyone find out that I received counseling here?
The counseling process is confidential, which means that we cannot share any information about you without your permission, except under specific legal conditions. If you have concerns or questions about confidentiality, please discuss them with your intake counselor.
What kinds of problems do students seek help with?
Students commonly seek help for (but not limited to):
- stress
- anxiety
- depression
- low self-esteem
- adjustment difficulties
- concentration problem
- sleeping difficulties
- academic problems
- body image concerns
- grief and loss
- relationship issues
- domestic violence
- sexual assault
- family issues
- or any other concern causing distress or interfering with academic progress.
When should I seek counseling?
College is a time of change. You may find it useful to seek the assistance of a caring professional. Our trained counselors help you discover ways to cope more effectively with problems in day-to-day living like resolving a personal problem or exploring personal growth issues.
What should I expect on my first appointment?
You will be asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled initial appointment with the counselor to complete forms on a laptop computer. The forms include treatment consent, demographic information and questions that tell us how you are doing in various areas of your life. This information helps your counselor create a more tailored experience for you. After you complete the forms, you will have your intake appointment where you meet with a counselor who will go over your concerns in detail and ask other questions about your life and functioning. Once the intake appointment is complete, the counselor will recommend treatment for you based on their professional judgment.
What can I expect from counseling?
Your counselor will work with you to identify your personal goals for counseling and then tailor counseling to you and your goals. You can expect that your counselor will listen closely to understand your experience and find ways to assist you in moving towards your goals. Therapy is a personalized experience, so how it helps differs from person to person. It will often involve things such as getting a different perspective on your experiences, exploring and discovering things about yourself, making changes in unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaving, processing difficult experiences, and learning healthy coping tools.
Is counseling effective?
Yes, counseling has been shown to help people make positive changes in their lives. Approximately 75% of people who begin counseling felt some improvement. And 80% of people who engage in counseling do better than those who do not receive counseling at all.
It can be difficult to open up to a counselor but your counselor will be more effective in helping you address your concerns if you are open and honest with them. At the same time, it’s important to take your time and share at a pace that feels safe to you. Counseling works best if you find a good balance between taking the time to build trust with your counselor and taking the risk of sharing what you’re experiencing.
For myths vs. realities of psychotherapy, check out this website.
Can I use the Counseling Center services as a faculty or staff member?
The Counseling Center only serves students enrolled in classes for the current quarter. If you are a student AND a faculty/staff member, your main identity becomes faculty/staff. The dual status can cause complications and create ethical dilemmas for our staff. Your Employee Assistance Program services is the appropriate resource in these cases.
Can I get a letter for a hardship withdrawal or for DRS accommodations?
Please visit the Academic Support resource on our Resource page for information.
Feeling worried about the Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Please check the UW's informational webpage about the novel (new) coronavirus to help answer any questions you may have. Campus Safety for UWB and Cascadia also has an informational page for our campus. Please also review our handout for psychological tips for managing the coronavirus.