For Parents

Issues That Bring Students to Counseling

College can be a period of excitement as well as stress for students. While most students have looked forward to being away from home, for some the experience can be surprisingly overwhelming. Disappointments over romantic relationships or conflicts with peers may take on a more prominent role in a student’s life when they are far from familiar friends or family. Academic pressures may be amplified in the university environment and students who breezed through high school may find themselves struggling for the first time. As students become more independent, they may question values that you have held dear. Students who have struggled with mental health problems in the past, may find those difficulties reemerging under the stress of college.

Services for Students at WSU Counseling & Testing Services

Individual Counseling
Couples Counseling
Crisis Services
Group Counseling
To see a list of current groups and workshops, click on this link. Groups & Workshops!
Anger Management Program
Stress Management Program
Test Anxiety Program
When appropriate, we coordinate with medical practitioners at Health and Wellness Services if students are in need of psychiatric medication evaluation and follow-up.
In rare circumstances, if a student requires more intensive treatment than we can provide, we assist in making referrals to practitioners in the community or to more appropriate treatment providers.

Eligibility for our Services

All students who have paid the Health Fee are eligible for our services.

If Your Child has a Problem

We very much want to be a resource to parents. We are glad to meet with you in person or talk with you over the telephone.

According to state and federal laws, unless your child gives us written permission, we are unable to even let you know whether a student is a client and we cannot discuss your child’s treatment. However, we are always able to talk with you about a problem in a general way. Please do not hesitate to call.

According to the relevant laws, if a client is in imminent danger of harming self or others, we will be able to communicate with parents regardless of whether the student gives us permission.

Resources

Please visit our pages to learn more about specific types of problems. Self-Help Pages

Here are some links to websites that may be of interest to you:

College Parents of America

http://www.collegeparents.org/

The Parent Connection – Information for parents on alcohol and drug prevention.

www.edc.org/hec/parents/

Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

http://www.pflag.org

Books:

Don’t tell me what to do, just send money: The essential parenting guide to the college years

            By Helen E. Johnson & Christine Schelhas-Miller

Letting go: A parents guide to understanding the college years
            By Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence

When your kid goes to college: A parent’s survival guide

           By Carol Barkin

Helping Squirrels

Find a listing of other useful resources here!

Counseling & Testing Services, PO Box 641065, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1065 | (509) 335-4511 | mailto:counseling@wsu.edu

WSU Counseling and Testing Services

For Parents

For Parents