Psychological Services

Photo of counseling session in progress

All of our services are free and confidential, protected by law and ethical standards. Whatever your concerns, a confidential conversation with a Center clinician is a good place to start. Below are some of the options available to you through the Well-Being Center.

Though most in-person appointments occur in MGC 214, those students who are looking to work with our available embedded clinicians may have different locations for services. Students enrolled in the Washington College of Law may meet with our WCL Clinician, Rachel Dietrich, LICSW (instructions here). Students participating in AU NCAA athletics may meet with our Sports Clinician, Taylor Lester, LPC. However, ALL in-person Initial Consultation appointments occur in MGC 214 regardless of affiliation with WCL or Athletics.

A note on teletherapy. Due to licensing laws, you must be physically located in Washington, DC (not Maryland or Virginia) at the time of your appointment. If you need a private space in the center for your virtual appointment with one of the Center clinicians, arrangements can be made when scheduling your appointment. Please note that if you have not reserved a space in the Center prior to your appointment, we cannot guarantee a space will be available for you. In addition, you must show a photo ID at the start of your appointment.

Individual & Group Therapy

The Well-Being Center can provide up to 6-8 sessions of weekly individual therapy per academic year. Many students find that their concerns can be addressed in these sessions. However, the Well-Being Center is a general practice outpatient clinic and may refer a student off-campus for the most appropriate care to best meet their needs. 

The Center offers a range of group therapy options. Group therapy is unlimited so long as there is space in the group and you remain a good fit for this treatment modality. Please click here for more information on our groups program.

The first step is to attend an Initial Consultation. You can schedule an Initial Consultation by calling 202-885-3500 or by visiting MGC 214. Please arrive at your appointed time at MGC 214 (for in-person appointments) or in the Center's virtual waiting room (for virtual appointments). The first 30 minutes of your appointment is allocated for paperwork completion. If you arrive more than 15 minutes past your appointed time, you will be asked to reschedule. Please allocate 90 minutes total for your Initial Consultation appointment.

Single Session Appointment

Single Session Appointments are for individuals who are interested in receiving professional support about a specific non-crisis concern but do not want a full course of therapy. These one-time sessions can be useful for those who are looking for community referrals, want to problem-solve a specific problem, or want to learn a few skills. Please note, same-day appointments are not available.

Please see the Single Session FAQ for more information.

Please allocate 90 minutes for your appointment. As a reminder, if you arrive more than 15 minutes past your appointed time, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment.

Crisis Support

You can always reach a qualified clinician 24/7 via ProtoCall. This service is available regardless of your location, and is available after hours (including nights, weekends, holiday breaks and during weather closings). You can reach a licensed clinician via ProtoCall at 202-885-7979

Referrals

Off-campus referrals can be a great option. They are often recommended to students who may require intensive, extensive, or specialized services. To obtain referral information you can schedule an appointment for an Initial Consultation or schedule a Single Session Appointment.

Want to learn more about referrals? Please take a look at these helpful resources on Referrals to Private Care.

Students seek psychological services for a wide variety of concerns, including:

  • Relationship challenges
  • Intimacy and sex concerns
  • Culture and identity
  • Experiences of oppression and marginalization
  • Anxiety or panic
  • Life and career decisions
  • Depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts
  • Self-harm behaviors
  • Eating and body image
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Trauma reactions
  • Coping with disability and ability differences
  • And many more …

Psychological services are free and confidential.