Waukesha Campus Counseling Services

Counseling Services are a confidential service available to College of General Studies students at no extra cost.

A college education offers many opportunities, but it also comes with its share of stress. You may be struggling because of an overbooked schedule, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, grief or loss, or another personal issue. Sometimes life’s concerns can distract you from your academic work.

Need Help Right Now?

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Women’s Center of Waukesha: 262-542-3828 

Impact 211: 866-211-3380 

Waukesha Memorial Hospital
725 American Avenue
Waukesha, WI 53188
262-928-1000

Waukesha County Outpatient Mental Health Clinic
262-548-7666 (ask to speak to a crisis worker)
262-547-3388 (after hours, ask to speak to a crisis worker)

Counseling Services through the College of General Studies

To be eligible a student must be paying segregated fees towards the College of General Studies and are attending UWM at the Waukesha or Washington County campuses. Students at other campuses of UWM can check their eligibility for services through University Counseling.

If you would like to talk with a counselor about your concerns, consider scheduling an appointment with Counseling Services on campus.

Meet Your Counselor

Katherine Kunz-Harder, MS LPC-IT

Katherine completed her degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University. Her experience includes working for UWM at Waukesha as an intern in the midst of COVID-19 before working professionally in inpatient and outpatient counseling settings. 

Katherine is back to support students for Fall 2023, addressing anxiety, depression, school stress, relationship/family concerns, life goal development, and so much more. 

Commons Counseling Concerns

•     Depression
•     Anxiety
•     Breakup of a romantic relationship
•     Family problems
•     Relational problems with a partner, roommate, friend or professor
•     Problems with drugs and/or alcohol
•     Eating disorders
•     Stress management
•     Suicidal thinking
•     Grief and loss
•     Lack of motivation

How Counseling Can Help

•     Use personal strengths and attributes in a variety of situations
•     Identify problem areas and factors that contribute to difficulties and dissatisfaction
•     Learn what thoughts and behaviors contribute to problems and how to change them
•     Improve stress-management skills
•     Build self-confidence and self-esteem
•     Enhance the quality of relationships
•     Make better decisions
•     Lead a more satisfying and fulfilling life

What is Counseling Like?

A first-time counseling session usually involves giving the counselor background information and talking about what led the student to schedule an appointment. The counselor and student will work together to develop a list of goals the student would like to meet while attending counseling. (These goals could be improving the student’s mood, coping and stress-management skills, communication skills, self-esteem, time-management skills or a particular relationship.) Subsequent sessions will focus on reaching these goals.

UWM at Waukesha provides short-term mental health counseling for currently enrolled students. If the counselor determines that it would be in the student’s best interest to work with someone with specialized experience or who is available for an increased level of care, referrals will be provided.

Confidentiality Policy

Respecting students’ privacy is of the utmost importance. Confidentiality is strictly maintained under the guidelines of state and federal laws as well as professional ethics. Students’ counseling files are held separately from academic and conduct files.

Student Resources

There are many resources that counseling can provide. Below are some videos and other resources to help!

Videos

YOU@UWM

YOU@UWM is a 24/7 health and wellness focused platform to help you holisticly. It is a no cost option for students of UWM. 

Online Mental Health Screenings

UWM has online self screenings for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and disordered eating behaviors. These anonymous screening measures are used throughout the U.S. and on hundreds of college campuses. Take the screenings and find out more information.

Additional Online Resources

Please click on the links below to learn more about the indicated topics areas. (This page contains links to internal and external webpages. UWM and Counseling Services does not control external site content or attest to its accuracy).

• Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)
• Anxiety
• Depression / Mood Disorders
• Domestic Violence / Relationship Abuse
• Eating Disorders
• Grief and Loss
• Mental Health Resources for UWM Students of Color
• Mental Health/Wellness Resources for AAPI Students & Allies – NEW!
• Resources
• Psychotic Disorders
• Relationship Issues
• Sexual Violence
• Stress Management
• Suicide Prevention
• Trauma