Psychological & Wellness Services (PAWS) provides confidential mental health counseling and related services for currently enrolled UW Tacoma students at no additional costs. We also provide consultation to faculty, staff, and university student families.
It is common for students to sometimes feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of academics, work, family, and other relationships. Psychological and Wellness Services is here to help students cope with stresses and personal issues that can interfere with their ability to perform in school.
We provide intentional, problem-focused mental health counseling, aimed at building better skills and exploring alternative ways of coping. Psychological & Wellness Services provides confidential crisis, individual, couples*, and group counseling; educational workshops and classroom presentations; consultation for students, faculty, staff, and student families; and referrals (when appropriate) to community mental health and social service providers and other UWT student services and resources.
*We are unable to provide couples counseling via teletherapy.
Our office is open Monday to Thursday 8 am to 5 pm, and Friday 8 am to 1:30 pm. We have virtual only hours on Friday from 1:30 pm to 5 pm. We are located in MAT (Mattress Factory) 354.
I want to talk to a counselor
Interested in starting services with PAWS, but not sure where to start? All the information you need is here.
Concerned about a student
Concerned about a student or friend? We have resources to help you support them
Training Program
Looking for more information about our Doctoral Psychology Internship or Preinternship Training?
Psychological & Wellness Services (PAWS) provides both remote and in-person services. Here are some considerations as you decide whether remote or in-person services are right for you:
Remote Services
- No mask or physical distancing required;
- Less risk of contracting Covid-19 or other contractible illnesses;
- Convenience of counseling from your home (or preferred private space);
- Easier to work around your class, work, and other schedules;
- No need to commute to campus (if your counseling appointment is not during the same day you have classes or other campus commitments);
- No parking issues (note: with the new construction in front of the Mattress Factory, parking is very limited);
- Less construction noise;
- Must have private location and secure internet connection
In-Person Services
- Dedicated private location for your counseling appointment and no concern about internet connection;
- Person-to-person connection between you and your provider;
- Masks and physical distance required while you are on campus, in the PAWs waiting room, during your counseling appointment;
- No food or drink allowed