Counseling

Wsahington and Lee's highly trained and experienced counseling staff is available to help students with a variety of difficulties that might impact not only a student's academic work, but overall sense of well-being. University Counseling provides direct psychotherapy services, assessment of academic problems and (with student consent) collaboration with faculty, administrative personnel or parents to provide necessary supports for struggling students. Psychiatric consultation is also available.

Peer Counseling

Peer Counselors are a team of student volunteers dedicated to helping other students experiencing any kind of emotional or social problems. Recognizing that students often feel most comfortable talking with friends about their issues, Peer Counselors receive extensive training on how to help other students. They are not therapists, but act as friends who are knowledgeable about the kinds of emotional issues affecting students, as well as access to campus resources. Peer Counselors work with Resident Assistants (RAs) on each hall to help first-year students make a successful adjustment to W&L, but they are also available to upper-class students.

Support Groups

W&L also offers several student-centric support groups, comprised mainly of peers, to support each other in times of crisis, self-discovery, questioning and recovery. These groups are confidential and open to any and all students. Some of the support groups include:

Washingtonian Society – a support network for students who have had problems with alcohol or substance use who want help with change and want to connect with others in a similar situation
LGBTQ Resource Center – this welcoming community for LGBTQ students and allies provides an open, diverse and safe environment in which all members of the W&L community may explore sexual and gender-identity issues.
Finding Our Truth – a confidential group of students who need a welcoming and supportive space to discuss and explore sexual orientation or gender identity
Mindful Eating Support Group – a support group for students who want to improve their relationship with food, whether they struggle with skipping meals, overeating, emotional eating or anxious eating
Depression and Anxiety Support Group – sometimes students who feel anxious or depressed have trouble talking to their friends about it and can feel isolated. This peer support group is available for students who want to connect with others who have had similar issues.
Student Sexual Assault Survivors Support Group – this support group is open to students who have experienced a sexual assault and are seeking support in their recovery.