This page contains information regarding the student support programs and resources available at the School of Medicine.
Medical Student Counseling Service | Student Resource Center | Learning Specialist | Tutoring Program | SOM Financial Aid Office | Disability Resources for Students
Medical Student Counseling Service
The School of Medicine’s Counseling Service offers a range of services to help students and their partners cope with the demands of life in medical school. Services offered through the School’s counseling programs in Seattle or as part of the WWAMI regional program are free of charge and completely confidential.
Accessing Counseling Services
Seattle students can call, email, or drop-in to schedule an appointment with the counselor of their choice. Drop-ins are always welcome if a counselor is available. First year students at other WWAMI sites can contact the identified WWAMI counselor listed below or talk with the local WWAMI office. Clerkship students at one of the clinical centers (Boise, Spokane, and Anchorage) can obtain information on local counseling by contacting the regional WWAMI clinical coordinator or by contacting the Director of Counseling in Seattle. Students serving on clerkships in smaller WWAMI communities can contact one of the Seattle counselors to arrange telephone or email consultations.
Services available through the Counseling Service
Below is a list of the types of services offered by the Counseling Service in Seattle. The counselors at the other regional sites are available to provide many of the same support services. Counselors can provide counseling for you or your partner/spouse for individual or couples counseling. Counselors are available to discuss issues related to medical school or any other personal concern that may be troubling you.
- Individual Counseling
- Stress Management
- Coping with Clerkships
- Couples Counseling
- Test Anxiety
- Residency Match Stress
- Family Counseling
- Anxiety Management
- Career Counseling
- Support Groups
- Coping with Depression
- Academic Difficulties
- Workshops and Seminars
- Time Management
- Psychiatric Referrals
- Drop-in Consultations
- Managing Relationships
- Peer Conflicts
Counseling in the School of Medicine tends to be shorter term. If long term counseling or psychiatric assessment is needed, a counselor can refer you to one of our network of community providers who may be able to see you on a reduced fee basis. Counselors may also help refer you to one of the other programs available to students on the Seattle campus.
NOTE: This office does not provide counseling for medical school pre-admission. For that information, please contact askuwsom@u.washington.edu or call (206) 543-7212.
Hours: At the Seattle site, counselors are generally available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week but may be available to schedule appointments at other times to accommodate special scheduling needs.
Counseling Staff: All of the medical student counselors are licensed, experienced, mental health professionals who are experienced in providing psychotherapy and counseling to medical students. In Seattle, Dr. Richard Veith, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, provides psychiatric consultation to the counselors when needed. To protect student privacy and confidentiality, student names or identifying information are never utilized during these consultations.
Counseling is completely confidential. Limited counseling records are securely kept by your counselor and are not part of your academic file. Information about students who are seeking counseling is never shared with faculty or administrators unless you sign a release of information and ask your counselor to do so. If you are having academic difficulties or if personal circumstances might require a modification in your medical education program, you may sign a release of information and ask your counselor to share information with the Student Affairs Dean.
Emergency Services:
The Counseling Service does not provide emergency services or after-hours crisis intervention. Students in crisis may contact the King County Crisis Line (206-461-3222) or seek assistance at the nearest Emergency department.
Wellness Services: Counselors offer free health and wellness workshops throughout the year on topics such as stress management, meditation, family issues, etc. Information about these events and other wellness tips can be found in our periodic email newsletter. Other wellness and referral information can be found in the Counseling Service Bulletin Board outside of T-551.
Seattle Location: The Counseling Service on the Seattle campus is located on the fifth floor of the T-Wing in Room T-557. Appointments can be made by contacting the counselor of your choice in person, by phone, or by email. Dr. Alan Kent is the Director of the Counseling Service and can be contacted with concerns, suggestions, or complaints.
Seattle Counselors
Alan Kent, Ph.D.
T-551, (206) 616-3023
ajkent@u.washington.edu
Mark Wicks, Ph.D.
T-551A, (206) 616-3022
wicks@u.washington.edu
Joanne Estacio-Deckard, LICSW
T-559, (206) 616-3024
joanneed@u.washington.edu
Regional WWAMI Counselor Contacts
To access free, confidential counseling at one of the regional WWAMI sites, please contact:
UW Seattle Campus and Other Community Resources
- Hall Health Mental Health Clinic
Hall Health Primary Care Center
(206) 543-5030
Provides psychotherapy and psychiatric assessment and follow up. There are fees for this service, though UW Student Health Insurance may cover part of the fee.
- UW Student Counseling Center
401 Schmitz Hall
(206) 543-1240
Provides psychotherapy as well as a number of group programs. There may be fees for this service, though UW Student Health Insurance may cover part of the fee.
- Psychological Services and Training Center
Guthrie Hall, Annex 1
(206) 543-6511
Psychological counseling provided by psychology graduate students on a sliding fee scale basis. This service is NOT covered by UW Student Health Insurance.
- LEARN CLINIC of the Psychological Service Center
Guthrie Hall, Annex 1
(206) 543-6511
Provides testing for learning disabilities, ADHD, etc. No sliding fee scale is offered and insurance typically does not cover the cost.
- King Co. Crisis Clinic & Referral Line
(206) 461-3222
1-866-4CRISIS (1-866-427-4747)
The Student Resource Center is located on the fifth floor of the T-wing in T-557, and the office number is (206) 543-9733. The Center provides an array of information and services helpful to medical students, such as a student email computer terminal and U.S. mail drop. Also located in the Student Resource Center are financial aid specialists, research specialists, and learning specialists. The Student Resource Center has a program coordinator, Dan Olson, who can assist students in accessing the many resources available.
The School of Medicine has a full-time Learning Specialist, Peg Pattee, who is available to assist students with a variety of issues including test-taking skills, coping with test anxiety, and improving study skills. Assistance is also available with preparation for USMLE, both self-study and board preparation programs.
The Learning Specialist’s office is located in the Student Resource Center on the fifth floor of the T-wing in T-557; phone number is (206) 616-9606, email mapattee@u.washington.edu.
The School of Medicine has a tutoring program that is available to all medical students free of charge. The tutoring program for the HuBio curriculum is coordinated through the Learning Specialist. The phone number is (206) 616-9606; email mapattee@u.washington.edu.
The School of Medicine's Financial Aid Office is located on the fifth floor of the T-wing, and the phone number is (206) 685-2520. A full-time professional, Ms. Diane Noecker, and a program coordinator staff this office. Ms. Noecker serves as a liaison for medical students with the University's Office of Student Financial Aid, which is located in Schmitz Hall. She also administers the School's scholarship and loan funds and the Title VII federal aid programs.
General advice on financial aid, questions about the aid awarded, and assistance with understanding the impact of indebtedness are among some of the important issues that you can discuss with Ms. Noecker. Email messages are frequently used to remind students of deadlines or communicate information that needs immediate action. Mailers covering important financial aid issues may also be sent out. It is anticipated that highlights and updates on financial issues will be available on the Web with access restricted to our students.