How Counseling and Wellness Services Work at Warren Wilson College

Warren Wilson College’s mission to empower graduates to lead purposeful lives dedicated to a just, equitable, and sustainable world integrates academics, work, and community engagement to foster curiosity, empathy, and integrity.

The Department of Wellness works to support the whole person, body, mind and spirit through health, counseling and spiritual life so that everybody can thrive at Warren Wilson College.

The Counseling Center uses a triage and referral model to help students get the right level of support for overall wellness as quickly as possible. Our goal is to respond quickly, match students with appropriate care, and support both short-term and ongoing mental health needs.

If you’re unsure where to start or what kind of support you need, the Counseling Center is here to help you navigate your options.

For more information or to connect to a counselor now you can email us at [email protected]. 

For immediate assistance or if you or a student you know is in mental health distress please call the 24 hour crisis line at 828-777-3915.

Step 1: Start with the Counseling Center
All students seeking counseling services begin by meeting with the Triage Case Manager, AJ Caruso. This initial appointment focuses on understanding your concerns, needs, and goals, and helping determine the best next steps for support. You can email [email protected] to get connected.

Step 2: Getting Students Connected to the Right Care

• Our on-site counselors can provide short-term counseling and support groups, or
• A local therapist for long-term outpatient therapy. These clinicians can meet you on-campus, off campus or virtually.

What is the difference between “counseling” and “therapy”? 

Counseling typically focuses on short-term, goal-oriented solutions for specific life challenges (e.g., grief, stress, vocational discernment, academic pressures). 

Therapy (or psychotherapy) is generally a longer-term process examining deep-seated emotional patterns, past traumas, and mental health conditions.

The College partners with a local therapy practice called Thrive to make therapy more accessible.   If you have health insurance, it will be used whenever possible.  If you are currently uninsured or under-insured the case manager will assist you in gaining coverage to meet your needs. The Wellness Department includes counselors that are available to meet with you on campus free of cost while appropriate long-term therapy services are being accessed.