1. Student Support Services
  2. Counseling and Testing Center

Counseling and Testing Center

Walla Walla University is committed to the mental health and wellness of our students. The Counseling Center offers a holistic approach to problem solving in an environment of respect and acceptance. We have a number of resources to support whole-student wellness coordinated through our Student Health and Wellness program. The Testing Center administers national standardized tests, placement tests, challenge exams, required department exit tests and provides proctoring services for a variety of other exams to meet the needs of our students. 

If you or someone you know is suicidal and needs help immediately, do not call the Counseling and Testing Center, call 911 or the Walla Walla Crisis Response Unit at (509) 524-2999, or go to the Providence St. Mary Medical Center emergency room. Find emergency resources.

Counseling services

Our therapists can help you work through a variety of life's challenges, including anxiety, depression, relationship distress, childhood abuse, substance abuse, grief, and career uncertainty.

Group coaching

The group format is ideal for learning to cope with life in a pandemic. We are all mourning the loss of experiences we expected to have during this time in our lives. We suffer in isolation and heal in community. This group will allow you to connect safely through a video platform, learn skills to adapt to our shared current circumstances, and make meaning from these experiences. 

Counseling

If you are interested in receiving therapy and you are currently living in Washington state, this is for you. This applies to both new clients and returning clients. You will be able to connect virtually with a mental health professional who can help you navigate the process of getting set up with the services that you would benefit from. In many cases, that will include working with one of our therapists on your goals and how to achieve them. 

Returning Clients: If you have previously worked with a therapist in the counseling center and you have questions or concerns please send your therapist an email. They will be able to help you figure out what your next steps are and how to get what you need from wherever you are located

Virtual walk-in

If you would like to talk with an on-campus mental health professional please schedule a consultation meeting. This is great option if you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, need someone to talk with, and haven’t received services through the Counseling Center before. Anyone can schedule a consultation meeting no matter where you are located—in the United States or internationally. 

You can make an appointment for a consultation meeting during our "virtual walk-in" hours: Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. (PST).

Individual coaching

If you are living off campus, in another state, or internationally, but would still benefit from receiving support we are excited to be partnering with Synchronous Healthcare as a way of extending our campus services everywhere. Individual coaching sessions are offered in addition to or instead of group sessions. If you have specific concerns and prefer the personal attention of individual sessions you may choose to work with a coach one on one. You will learn new skills and work through the specific barriers that you may have to using them.

If one or more of the following statements describe you, you may benefit from counseling: 

  • I am anxious, worried, or nervous much of the time. 
  • My sleeping or eating patterns are disturbed or have changed. 
  • My moods change rapidly. I often feel like crying. 
  • My relationships with other people often feel difficult. 
  • I feel confused and have difficulty making decisions. 
  • I can't decide on a major or career. 
  • I feel that I am not functioning effectively in an important area of my life. 
  • I am going through a significant change in my life. 
  • I am experiencing difficulties due to the use of substances or behaviors that I am not able to manage. 
  • I am curious to know more about myself and my relationships.

The three most common reasons people seek counseling: 

  1. They are experiencing a crisis due to the loss of a relationship, the experience of overwhelm at the death of a loved one, stress overload, or family problems. 
  2. Chronic stress such as experienced by anxiety, depression, harmful relationships, eating disorders, drug abuse, or self-harming behaviors. 
  3. Desire for growth through increased self-confidence, enriched personal relationships, or enhanced self-understanding.

Testing services

Testing services are offered by appointment oniy until further notice. Pearson VUE testing has been suspended.

Contact Jill Atchison to make an appointment:
testing@wallawalla.edu

Student Health and Wellness resources

Our goal is to support the health and wellness of Walla Walla University students by identifying and understanding both local and national wellness challenges and working to address those needs in our community in a sustainable way—armed with honesty and compassion.

Resources:

In the event of an urgent situation during evenings or weekends, contact Campus Security at (509) 527-2222 or your residence hall dean on duty. You may also call the Walla Walla County Crisis Response Unit at (509) 524-2999 or go to the Providence St. Mary Medical Center's Emergency Room. Find more emergency resources.

Event Details

Shown in {{ timezone.name }}