Sindecuse Health Center

Counseling Services

stuffed cat and dog toys against a plain background — Sindy & Bert are interactive companion pets designed to enhance meaningful connections, reduce symptoms of depression, social isolation, and provide companionship. Sindy the cat responds with cat-like movements and purring to petting, hugging, and motion. Bert the dog responds with authentic sounds and movement to both motion and touch. Sindy & Bert are available for all to interact with while you wait here in Counseling Services. Sindy & Bert are also available if you wish to have one join you during your appointment.

Hello. We offer short-term individual, couples and group counseling for a diverse student population. The counseling process can help students learn skills to cope with problems and develop new ways of thinking, which may lead to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. Your time at Western Michigan University may include stress, complicated decisions or challenging situations. Counselors help students identify challenges and make changes to manage the emotional and social difficulties that might complicate college life.

These issues include but are not limited to:

Relationship or family conflicts
Stress and anxiety
Grief or loss
Social and peer pressure
Identity questions
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Adjusting to college life
Feeling down or depressed
Body image or disordered eating

It is our desire and goal to support each enrolled WMU student. At Counseling Services, there is a limit of eight individual psychotherapy sessions per academic year. This limit does not include emergency, initial intake, or group therapy appointments. Throughout treatment, you and your clinician will engage in continual assessment to make appropriate recommendations for care.

At WMU, eighty percent of students seeking counseling services have been seen on an average of eight or fewer sessions per academic year and their presenting concerns are conducive to a short-term therapeutic model. Students are always welcome to use emergency and crisis services as needed and attend group programming as desired.

Your first visit

Please call ahead or walk in. If you are a registered WMU student and would like to receive counseling services call us at (269) 387-1850. Limited prescheduled intake appointments are available Monday through Friday 8 to 11 a.m. Or you may walk in Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Arrangements will be made for you to meet with a counselor as soon as possible. Please inform the receptionist if your situation requires immediate attention.

If this is your first time at Counseling Services, start with the registration staff on the main level.

How we'll work with you

Every student is unique, so we tailor our services to suit your particular needs. We collaborate with other clinicians at Sindecuse or outside care professionals to ensure counseling supports other care you may receive. We take a holistic approach when working with you to treat the whole person. Our counselors are licensed mental health professionals and graduate student trainees under close supervision.

Confidentiality

Counseling Services respects your right to privacy. Your consent is required before any information is released to a third party. In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), patient health information is maintained in confidence throughout Sindecuse Health Center and Counseling Services.

Eligibility

Counseling Services provides psychotherapy and mental health assistance to enrolled WMU students only. Students with full- or part-time status, including those at regional campuses may use our services.

Counseling Services Team

The counseling services faculty and staff directory is posted online.

Counseling Services for WMU employees

WMU faculty and staff are not eligible to use Counseling Services even if they are enrolled in WMU classes as a student. Visit the Mental Health Care for Employees page that describes the many services available to WMU employees.

Call us

(269) 387-1850