Student Health & Counseling

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Wellbeing Coaching

Wellbeing Coaching Appointments Now Live

What is Wellbeing Coaching?

Wellbeing Coaching offers collaborative strengths-based peer coaching services, supporting students through their process and journey of behavior changes. Students can connect with coaches one on one both in-person or virtually to build plans towards reaching their personal wellbeing goals. 

The wellbeing coach approach is rooted in curiosity, self-compassion, internal and community strengths, focused on eight Dimensions of Wellbeing: Emotional/Mental, Physical, Relational, Academic, Environmental, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Financial wellbeing.'

Topics students might collaborate with a coach on could include, stress management, life transitions, sleep habits/hygiene, mindfulness, community/connections building, etc.

What to Expect: 

  • You will meet one-on-one with an extensively trained peer Wellbeing Coach, who is an undergraduate or graduate student at Portland State. 
  • First sessions last one hour. Your coach will ask questions to get to know you and then help identify goals using the 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing and your personal strengths.
  • Ongoing sessions last 45 minutes. Your coach will provide encouragement and a nonjudgmental space to discuss your goal progress. 

Eligibility/Cost:

As a student at Portland State University, there is the Student Health Fee charged to your student account each term. This fee covers Wellbeing Coaching Services, and so there is no additional cost or fees to meet with a wellbeing coach. Students who don’t pay the Student Health Fee can still meet with a coach for one complimentary brainstorming session. 

How to Schedule: 

To schedule a session with a Wellbeing Coach click to the bookings page.

Questions?

Please contact Quinn Westlynd, Wellbeing Coach Coordinator at wellbeing@pdx.edu.

  • Email: wellbeing@pdx.edu 
  • Address: UCB 310 (in the Mind Spa Suite)
  • Phone: (503) 725-2029
Ellie headshot in front of SHAC

Meet Ellie (they/she) - Peer Wellbeing Coach

I’m an out-of-state transfer studying psychology & public health. I love working with students to create personalized strength-based goals. I keep an open, safe energy & meet you where you’re at, while thinking critically & introspectively. I love TriMet, Dutch Bros, & watching movies with my girlfriend! :) 

Christine headshot in front of SHAC

Meet Christine (she/her) - Peer Wellbeing Coach

I am an AK Native, bisexual & indigenous, first-generation transfer. I'm excited about this work because I’ve always wanted to help others grow - as a sociology major trained in yoga and trauma-informed teaching, I’m excited to help you thrive. I like to spend time with my partner, my hedgehog, cat, & 2 mice!

Below you can find some programs that the wellbeing coaches collaborate with.
These departments are able to support you in your wellbeing journey in a more specialized approach. 

The C.A.R.E. Program

CARE Advocates offer one-on-one meetings to support students who are navigating personal/academic concerns or other barriers that are affecting their ability to be a student. They help to collaborate on a plan to address these barriers and help ease the stress of navigating multiple systems while a student is experiencing challenges and/or distress. CARE Advocates generally focus on resource connection and short term support to address specific situations/challenges in the moment. The CARE Advocates can always be a point of support for any future concerns throughout your time at PSU. They're also able to support students in academic adjustment requests. 

Some of the barriers they navigate with students: 

  • Medical/family emergencies and communicating with faculty 
  • Food and/or housing insecurity 
  • Mental health challenges
  • Suicidal ideation or attempts

To learn more connect with The CARE Program: 

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SHAC Counseling Services

Support for the present, looking at the past. Support for crisis. 

SHAC’s Counseling Services team are trained mental health professionals that offer clinical support and care. They are able to provide diagnosis and treatment plans for mental and emotional health concerns. Counseling Services also offers emergency counseling appointments to support students who might be experiencing a mental health emergency/crisis. The providers in the Counseling Service team offer short term counseling services, and can work with students to get connected with mental health providers out in the community who offer long-term counseling services. SHAC’s Counseling Services is also partnered with MySSP, an app that students can download to access 24/7 emotional and mental health support services. 

To learn more, connect with SHAC’s Counseling Services: 

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The Learning Center's Academic Coaches

The Learning Center's Academic Coaches are another collaborative support service on campus that utilize similar approaches to Peer Wellbeing Coaching. Academic Coaches offer specialized knowledge and support for students wanting to grow in or be curious about the dimension of academic wellbeing. They help to provide an accountability buddy.

Some of the specialized topics Academic Coaches work with students on are: 

  • Active learning and studying strategies
  • Organization
  • Motivation and persistence 
  • Overcoming Procrastination 
  • Building plans to catch up from falling behind in courses

To learn more, connect with The Learning Center’s Academic Coaches:

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