MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELING SERVICES

Contact Information:

Michelle House -  Behavioral Health Therapist, MSW  mahouse@mail.wvu.edu  / 304-788-6976

West Virginia University - Potomac State College |  Reynolds Hall 104A 

We also have trained counselors available 24 hours a day if things feel urgent and you need to talk to someone right away. You can reach them by texting WVU to 741741 or by calling 304-788-6977.

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• Counseling Services Offered
• What is Counseling? 
• Special Statement of Support for Diversity and Culturally Sensitive Counseling
• Forms
• Talkspace
• Suicide Prevention and Hotlines (24-hour support)
• Resources
  

Counseling Services Offered

Individual Counseling: Monday - Friday by appointment

Individual counseling includes CBT (Cognitive Behavioral), Solution-focused (Brief therapy), Mindfulness and Multicultural counseling for a variety of issues, concerns and life events including: overcoming/coping with anxiety and depression, managing time and workload, adjustment issues, relationships, living with grief/loss, trauma related to racial and other social identity marginalization, etc.

Group Counseling: Mondays and Tuesdays, 6-8

Session Topics include: Mindfulness, Grief Support, and Resiliency building.

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What is Counseling?

Counseling is the process of meeting with a trained therapist to manage negative thoughts and feelings, resolve problematic behaviors, learn positive coping skills, and improve communication and relationships.  A genuine counseling relationship developed through rapport, empathy and trust is vital in creating a safe, caring environment in which individuals can challenge their negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, learn new scripts and strategies, and begin moving forward in a positive direction. 

• Counseling techniques/styles: Strengths based approach, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Solution focused (Brief) therapy, Mindfulness, and Multicultural counseling.
• Privacy: Your confidentiality is protected as much as possible. Your counselor may have to consult with another counselor or behavioral health team (only when deemed absolutely necessary) about your care, but your information will not be discussed outside of the office, unless you provide written permission to do so. There are legal exceptions to confidentiality (mandatory reporting of abuse or neglect or danger to self or others to name a couple).  Please consult with your counselor if you have any questions about confidentiality.
  

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Special Statement of Support for Diversity and Culturally Sensitive Counseling

Mental Health and Counseling Services recognizes the historical effects of marginalization and oppression of individuals and groups with regard to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, immigration and other social identities. 

• Racism: Many students of color experience racial battle fatigue, the physical and psychological response to racism.  Institutionalized, personal and internalized racism may negatively manifest in a number of different ways, including depression, anxiety, withdrawal, interpersonal difficulties and academic challenges.
• Homo/Transphobia: The LGBTQIA community continues to face discrimination, denial of civil rights, rejection from family and communities and other barriers which can impact mental health. Individuals are 2-4 times likely to experience mental health events and have higher rates of suicide.
• Ableism: 61 million Americans live with disabilities that may potentially impact their mental health at some point.  Barriers to access, communication, and social stigma create scenarios in which individuals can experience higher levels of anxiety, stress and depression.

Mental Health and Counseling Services is committed to the values of anti-racism, as well as fosters the ideals of diversity and inclusion. Culturally sensitive therapy is offered, and honors individuals’ lived experiences, values, and unique worldviews.  

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Forms

Telehealth Informed Consent form  

Informed Consent for Counseling Services

Mental Health and Counseling Referral Form

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Talkspace

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Suicide Prevention and Hotlines (24-hour support)

Emergency Services: 911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

For Speech Impaired/Deaf Callers (TTY): 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)

Crisis Text Hotlines: Text WVU to 741741

The Trevor Project Hotline (LGBTQIA…): 1-866-488-7386

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Resources