Counseling Center

The “mental health of students” has been identified by college and university presidents as the most pressing issue facing college campuses (American Council on Education Survey), as these concerns cut across all demographics, and no part of campus is untouched by them. Financial gifts to the JMU Counseling Center help to support student access to important mental health resources.

Annually, our Counseling Center assists roughly 2,000 students with services including:

• Short-term (3–5 sessions) individual counseling to address personal problems negatively impacting quality of life, as well as referrals to professionals in the local area who accept clients for longer-term clinical services
• Weekly small-group counseling to deal with family issues, identity concerns, eating concerns, grief, and more
• Clinical, advocacy, consultation, and referral services for survivors of sexual trauma
• Crisis consultation—in person or over the phone—to students, faculty, staff, and others who are concerned about the distressed, unusual, problematic, or potentially harmful behavior of others
• Animal-assisted therapy and therapy dog outreach
• Award-winning specialized workshops for issues like anxiety and perfectionism, general psychoeducational workshops, and events promoting a wide range of relevant mental health resources
• Wilderness therapy programs
• Access to relaxation and creative arts self-care spaces

Counseling Center clinicians provide high-quality services to students. Using the most popular assessment of college student mental health symptoms, JMU students improved at greater levels than the national average on each of eight clinical subscales.

2024-2025 Student Evaluations of the JMU Counseling Center:

• 99% indicated that their counselor seemed skilled and competent
• 94% indicated that they were now better prepared to work through future problems in healthy ways
• 77% agreed that counseling helped improve academic focus and performance (15% answered "Not Applicable")
• 76% agreed that, as a result of the work done in counseling, they were more likely to stay in school (22% answered "Not Applicable")

Client Descriptions of Their Experience at the JMU Counseling Center:

"I've learned a lot of techniques to use for anxiety/stress. I've learned how to better approach problems/stress by taking a step back."

"I like how I feel heard and understood. Everyone was so kind and helpful."

“I learned to communicate my needs better, to help myself deal with stressful situations, conflicts, and my academic focus has improved. I wasn't sure as an international student if I could continue grad school at JMU, but with my therapist's help, I stayed in school & also thrived.”

“I have learned how to cope with grief and stress in ways I never would have. I am so appreciative of the counseling center.”

"My counselor was able to understand my story and feelings. She really went above and beyond to support me in things I couldn't handle alone."

Give to the Counseling Center.