Helping Your Student Thrive:
The GW University Counseling Center

The UCC offers a broad range of services to help your student with academic and personal issues as they pursue their degrees at GW.  Services include short-term individual therapy, group therapy, crisis services, academic skills assistance, and career counseling.  The UCC also offers telephone consultations if you are concerned about your student, and we can provide referral information for all types of mental health needs.  

College students typically encounter stressful situations or experiences during their University years.  These situations may involve their academic, family, or social life.  Our staff of licensed psychologists and highly trained professional counselors are available to help students understand and cope with issues, such as academic performance, motivation, self-esteem, self-direction, anxiety, depression, and loss.  We can help your student handle conflicts with peers and difficult relationships with loved ones, friends or family.

UCC staff can be reached and appointments can be scheduled by calling 202-994-5300 during regular business hours.  We have also extended our service after hours to be available “24/7”.  If your student has an urgent need to speak to a counselor, he/she can call 202-994-5300 and press option #3.  All counseling services at UCC are confidential and not part of a student’s academic record.  The initial appointment is free.  The Center is designed to provide brief counseling only.  A fee of $50 is applied to sessions beyond the initial assessment.  This fee can be adjusted when there is financial need.  For students who need special services not offered at the Center or the opportunity for an open-ended counseling experience, a UCC counselor can provide information about therapists in the nearby community.  Consideration will be given to a student's medical insurance plan and financial situation.

Group counseling can also offer the opportunity for your student to explore a range of issues.  For example, the following group topics are offered each semester: Finding Your Niche at GW, Living with Loss, Women's Group, Interpersonal Growth, Family Stress, and Graduate Student Group.  This service is available to all enrolled students at GW.

Educational workshops on topics, such as managing test anxiety, preventing procrastination, enhancing time management skills, and developing effective study strategies are offered multiple times each semester, at no charge. 

Career counseling is available for your student to explore their interests and identify personal strengths for choosing a career path.  The Peer Tutoring Service is also available to refer students to tutors.  Students may apply online at our web address. The UCC website is specifically designed to provide information and resources regarding personal and academic concerns for students, faculty, staff, and parents.  The web address is: http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel.

Other useful resources include:

GW University Police Department: 202-994-6111

DC Rape Crisis: 202-333-RAPE (7273)

CrisisLink – Local Hotline: 703-527-4077

National Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

National Hopeline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)