The UW Information School is committed to supporting student well-being through accessible mental health support and wellness programming. 

On our staff, we have an embedded mental health professional whose primary role is to promote student well-being through a variety of offerings including individual confidential consultations, wellness events, resource sharing, advocacy and community-building initiatives. These services are designed to support students in navigating challenges, strengthening resilience, fostering a sense of connection and belonging, and enhancing overall well-being.  

Meet Leigh Eisele, the Information School Mental Health Counselor 

My name is Leigh Eisele [pronounced Lee Eyes-Lee] (she/her) and I am the Information School's mental health counselor. I am a UW alumna and am a licensed clinical mental health therapist in Washington.

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, stuck, anxious, homesick, uncertain about next steps, or simply looking for someone to talk things through with, I'm here to help.

I understand that being a student can be both exciting and challenging. My goal is to provide a welcoming, supportive, and judgement-free space where you can explore what's on your mind and connect with resources that support you.

To learn more about me, check out my UW Counseling Center page. I look forward to supporting you!

Book an Informal Consultation with Leigh 

Mental health consultations are confidential and are available at no-extra cost to all currently enrolled Information School Students. 

These meetings provide an opportunity to gain perspective, learn coping skills, explore resources, and identify next steps for support. Consultations are not therapy sessions and are not a substitute for counseling, crisis intervention, or psychiatric care, but they can be an important first step in accessing support.

Students can schedule an informal consultation to talk about a variety of topics. Common reasons students meet with the counselor include:

• Academic stress and burnout
• Anxiety and overwhelming emotions
• Relationship and interpersonal concerns
• Identity exploration and belonging
• Life transitions and adjustment challenges
• Family concerns
• Self-care
• Challenges with current events
• Mental health resources and potential referrals

Students do not need to be experiencing a crisis to seek support. Consultations are available to anyone who may benefit from a conversation or a supportive place to process challenges they are experiencing.  

Schedule and Location

Students can typically meet with Leigh Mondays through Fridays, with in-person availability typically on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Leigh's schedule is subject to change over university breaks and summer quarter. 

Leigh's office is located on the third floor of Mary Gates Hall. If for some reason the door is locked and closed, please wait outside until Leigh meets you to welcome you back to her office.  If you are waiting more than 10 minutes, please email Leigh (leisele1@uw.edu). Additionally, you can contact Leigh if you need support with mobility or access to this space for any reason, and she will work to accommodate your needs. 

It is important to focus your email communications with Leigh on logistics and scheduling, rather than the topics you want to discuss, to ensure that no personal information is exposed. Email platforms are not HIPAA compliant. 

What to Expect

For many students, connecting with a mental health professional may be a new experience. 

In general, students can expect:

• A welcoming and nonjudgemental environment
• Respect for diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Confidential conversations, with limited legal and safety exceptions
• Support in identifying goals and next steps
• Guidance in connecting with campus and community resources
• Opportunities to develop coping skills and wellness strategies
• Space to provide feedback or ask questions

There is no "right" reason to seek support. Services are available for students facing significant challenges as well as those who are simply looking to strengthen their overall well-being. 

Other Offerings

Faculty and Staff Consultations

Faculty and staff can schedule an informal consultation to discuss concerns related to student well-being. These conversations offer guidance, resources, and strategies that contribute to a supportive and responsive academic community.

Schedule an informal consultation or email or Teams Leigh (leisele1@uw.edu) to find a mutually convenient time. 

iWellness is an iSchool committee made up of staff volunteers who support student well-being through programs and events offered throughout the year. These opportunities encourage students to step away from academic demands, connect with the broader iSchool community, and engage in activities that promote wellness. iWellness also helps students learn about support resources available to them and provides spaces where they can recharge and reflect on their well-being.

Please keep an eye out for events and offerings or feel free send recommendations or requests to iWellness@uw.edu. 

Common Ground

What becomes possible when people from across the iSchool take time to talk together?

iSchool Common Ground, is a co-created offering by IDEAS and iWellness to provide students, staff, and faculty a chance to connect through conversations that explore topics relevant to our shared experience. Held virtually every month, these gatherings create opportunities to meet people outside your usual circles and contribute shared perspectives. Inspired by the University of Michigan School of Information’s Circles of Solidarity, and developed with guidance from Devon Archer, Ashley Everitt, and Julia Dang, iSchool Common Ground is designed to strengthen our community through ongoing engagement and shared understanding. 

Please keep an eye out for event details.

Take a Breath

Take a Breath is a monthly virtual wellness session led by Leigh. Each 30-minute session offers students dedicated time away from academic responsibilities and the pressure of daily tasks. Participants are invited to slow down and focus on the present moment through a guided experience that supports mental well-being. 

The sessions are open to all students and requires no preparation or previous mindfulness experience. 

Please keep an eye out for event details. 

Additional Resources 

There are several options depending on the level of support that you may need. For more comprehensive resource options, please log in with your UW Net-ID to the iSchool Wellness Resource Canvas Page.

Immediate 24/7 Support Options

• Husky Helpline: Call 206-616-7777 or by app (Apple App Store | Google Play). Provides free same-day, confidential mental health and crisis intervention support in multiple languages. Available to students both within and outside of Washington state
• Crisis Connections: Call 866-427-4747
• National Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 or text the word CONNECT to 741741
• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• UW Medicine hospitals and emergency rooms

UW Counseling Center

• Phone 206-543-1240; 401 Schmitz Hall
• Hours - M, W, Th, F: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; T: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Provides short-term counseling (averaging 4-6 sessions), groups, workshops and crisis services.
• Log on to the Student Portal to make an appointment.
• If you need immediate assistance during business hours for situations related to safety, harm, death of a loved one, and extreme psychological distress, you can meet with a counselor on duty at the center.
• Group therapy and workshops are available as well. Explore the available options.

SafeCampus

• Call 206-685-7233 or email safecampus@uw.edu
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All calls are private, and you can remain anonymous.

Livewell Center

• Advocacy and health promotion
• Services include Survivor Support & Advocacy (Confidential Advocates), Student Care, Suicide Intervention Program, Alcohol & Other Drug Consults, Peer Health Education, Peer Wellness Coaching and more.

*Disclaimer*

Individual meetings with Leigh are based on the national "Let's Talk" model, which are consultations with mental health professionals that are not therapy sessions and do not constitute mental health treatment. The Let's Talk program provides easy access to informal, brief, consultation sessions with mental health professionals from the University of Washington Counseling Center, including counselors who are embedded in schools, programs and cultural spaces across our campus. It is free and there is no paperwork to complete.  

Let’s Talk meetings are not part of the student’s mental health records. Let’s Talk is not for urgent concerns. If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please call the Counseling Center at 206-543-1240 or after hours, call Husky Helpline at 206-616-7777. 

Limits to Confidentiality

When there is an immediate threat of harm to you or others, Let’s Talk counselors are required by law to report this. When a minor, elderly person or someone otherwise incapacitated is being abused, Let’s Talk consultants are also required by law to report this.

If your Let’s Talk counselor assesses that you could benefit from a higher level of care, they will provide you with resources at the University and surrounding community.   

Urgent concerns:

• For urgent concerns between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., please call 206-543-1240 and inform the Counseling Center front desk that you have an urgent concern and would like a same-day phone consultation with a therapist.  
• For after-hours support, please contact the Husky Helpline: 206-616-7777.

Background/History of Let's Talk

The Let’s Talk program at the University of Washington is based in part on the Let’s Talk program at Cornell University. We would personally like to thank Dr. Veronica Orozco at UC Berkeley for providing materials for our program to adapt. 

Learn more about Let’s Talk at UW.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will my professor or advisor find out if I talk with the counselor?

No — unless you explicitly state you want them to! The counselor offers students a safe and confidential place to talk. As a mental health practitioner, the counselor follows HIPAA’s rules of confidentiality. No one will be informed if a student utilizes services or not. Also, content of your conversations will not be shared with anyone else except in instances of physical harm to yourself or someone else. You can read the full UW Counseling Center Informed Consent Policy here and learn more about mandated reporting here.

Q: How much does it cost?

All services are provided at no extra cost! Informal consultation sessions are free of cost as they are just consultations. If you and the counselor decide that short-term therapy is appropriate for you, the Counseling Center will bill your insurance. However, all co-pays or non-covered services are paid for by the Student Services and Activities Fee. If you don’t have insurance or prefer not to bill it, services are still covered!

Q: I want to work with a counselor who shares some of my identities; is that an option?

Yes, you can go to any counselor at the UW Counseling Center for free – read the counselor profiles and schedule online here. Or you can look for a counselor outside of the UW system. However, this will either be billed to insurance or have an out-of-pocket cost.

Q: My friend is in crisis. What should I do?

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. You can also call or text the National Suicide Hotline at 9-8-8 or the Husky Helpline at 206-616-7777. After you are safe, you can reach out to the counselor, Husky Helpline or the UW Counseling Center for support processing your experience.

Q: I already have a therapist. Can I still access the counselor for support?

It is wonderful that you already have a therapist! This should be the person that you turn to for support. However, if you are having issues with your therapeutic experience outside of the UW system, please feel free to discuss these concerns with the counselor.