The RC Well-being and Academic Success Counselor is a unique staff position that holistically supports Robinson Center Scholars through a comprehensive model focused on personal, social/emotional and academic development and success. This role ensures that students receive both individualized support necessary to thrive personally and academically as they transition into the University of Washington and life beyond.  

The RC Wellbeing and Academic Success Counselor role is currently held by Megan Reibel, M.Ed.

Services

Counseling services focus on supporting students through confidential short term solution focused support of the following domains: 

• Personal Social Development

• Academic Development

• Personal Development and Future Planning

• Resource Referral

Location 

The Wellbeing and Academic Success Counselor is located just off of the lounge in Guggenheim Annex (RC), Room 102a. Being located in the RC allows access to drop in appointments and quick points of connection, it also allows for easy collaboration with and support of other RC Programs. 

How to Contact the Well-being and Academic Success Counselor

1. Email. RC students can email directly at mreibel@uw.edu 

2. Book an Appointment. RC students can schedule a virtual or in-person meeting with the Wellbeing and Academic Success Counselor through the Bookings link found on the RC Scholars Website, Weekly RC Newsletter, and Megan’s email signature. 

3. Drop in. If the office door is open and Megan is available, please feel free to drop in without an appointment. Drop ins may be limited in duration based on schedule constraints. 

Megan is a professional school counselor by training and certification. Megan believes education plays a critical role in preparing young adults to step into the world “fully formed” with the tools they need to lead fulfilling lives, thrive personally, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. For advanced students especially, wellness, social-emotional learning, and life skills are essential. The toolkits our students build must go beyond academics; they must also support the ability to solve complex problems, persevere, ask questions, care for their wellbeing, and understand their place in context. Megan’s role at the RC strives to see and reach students as whole and authentic individuals. Her philosophy of student support is one that is both proactive and also poised to respond to the emergent needs of our students as individuals, as a group, and as members of the larger RC community. Megan’s approach is highly collaborative as she believes social emotional learning must be done in the context of a student’s personal identities, community, and abilities/challenges. 

Students have a right to be treated with dignity and respect and a right to privacy that is honored to the greatest extent possible (American School Counseling Association (ASCA), 2022). The school counselor is responsible for fully respecting a student’s right to privacy and for providing an atmosphere of trust and confidence (ASCA, 2022). The Wellbeing and Academic Success Counselor role recognizes that the primary obligation regarding confidentiality is to the student. All UW students, regardless of age, are treated as college students with full rights and responsibilities as they engage in university services, this includes services provided by the Wellbeing and Academic Success Counselor. 

1. Student privacy is protected by FERPA, which generally mandates written consent to release records, though exceptions exist for legal compulsion or emergencies. 

2. Students aged 13 and above may receive and consent to counseling services without parent notification. This is because in Washington state, the age of consent for mental health care is 13. 

3. UW Employees are considered mandated reporters in the following contexts: 

   1. Under Executive Order No. 56, university employees and volunteers must report suspected child abuse or neglect, following mandatory reporting procedures outlined by the UW. 

   2. Under Executive Order No. 81, staff must follow required to report discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct involving UW students. Reports can be made withholding the name of the impacted student at their request. 

Limits to confidentiality may also exist when: 

1. 1. The counselor consults with other professionals, such as colleagues, supervisors, treatment teams and other support personnel, in support of the student; 

   2. The counselor, with active student permission and participation, consults or collaborates with the student’s family; 

   3. The student participates in informal or formal small group experiences that are facilitated by the counselor;  

In these circumstances, the counselor will work collaboratively with the student to empower autonomy around their personal information to the greatest extent possible.

Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health is the promotion of mental health, resilience, and wellbeing; the treatment of mental and substance use disorders; and the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions, along with their families and communities (US Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration).

For information related to support in your region call 211. 

2‑1‑1 provides access to your local community services. 2‑1‑1 is available in multiple languages, allowing those in need to access information and obtain referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions. 

Crisis Support

If you or a loved one are in need of immediate mental health support, please call 988 or visit their webpage. 

The 988 Lifeline offers free, confidential, 24/7/365 support for thoughts of suicide, substance use concerns, and any other type of emotional distress. Trained crisis counselors who answer calls, texts, and chats can listen, offer support, and provide helpful resources. Call, Text, and chat available. People who contact 988 have options for specialized support: 

• Option 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line 

• Option 2 to get crisis support in Spanish 

• Option 4 to connect to the Native and Strong Lifeline, which supports American Indian and Alaska Native people with a Washington area code 

Crisis Connections (24/7)

Call 866-427-4747. Families residing in King County can also access moblie crisis response through the Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System through Crisis Connections. 

Crisis Text Line (24/7)

Texting support for times of crisis. Provides resources on topics like isolation, anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, bullying, relationships, suicide, and self-harm. Text HOME to 741-741.

HearMeWA (24/7)

Offers secure, free 24/7 support for youth and young adults experiencing stress, anxiety, violent threats, sexual abuse, or anything that makes life hard. Trained professionals answer calls, texts, and online tips. HearMeWA was developed by and for Washington's youth with the Attorney General's Office.

Trevor Project (24/7)

The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth offers free, confidential, 24/7 support. Call, text or chat. 

Teen Link (6-10pm)

Teen volunteers are trained to listen to your concerns and talk with you about whatever’s on your mind – bullying, drug and alcohol concerns, relationships, stress, depression or any other issues you’re facing. No issue is too big or too small! Calls and chats are confidential. 1-866-teenlink (833-6546). Call, Text, and chat available.

Behavioral Health Support

Seattle Children's Psychiatric Urgent Care (noon-8pm)

Provides same-day in-person and video visits for urgent mental and behavioral health concerns not needing the care of an emergency department. Serving children and teens ages 4 through 17, their team of pediatric-focused licensed mental health therapists, family advocates/case managers, psychiatric advanced practice providers (APPs) and medical assistants provide crisis assessment, initial care recommendations and referrals to follow-up care in the community. If in-person visits are full, please get in the virtual line for a video visit.

Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens (8am-5pm, M-F)

Connects families with mental health providers in your community who accept new patients, work with your insurance and fit your child’s treatment needs. The Referral Service is accessible to children and teens 17 and under living in Washington state. Teens between the ages of 13 and 17 can also call the Referral Service to find providers for themselves.

City of Seattle Youth Mental Wellness Resources

The City of Seattle offers a range of free and low barrier for youth up to age 24 who live or go to school in Seattle. Virtual and Telehealth options are available. 

Substance Use Resources

The Washington Recovery Help Line (24/7)

The Washington Recovery Help Line is an anonymous and confidential help line that provides crisis intervention and referral services for Washington State residents. Professionally trained volunteers and staff are available to provide emotional support 24 hours a day, and offer local treatment resources for substance abuse, problem gambling and mental health as well as to other community services. Call 1-866-789-1511.

SAMHSA National Helpline (24/7)

English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

Additional Resources

• Overdose Response/Prevention

• Seattle Al-Anon and Alateen

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Information for Teens

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Information for Parents

Sexual Assault and Abuse Support

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (24/7)

Serves survivors and their families throughout King County and engaging communities in building a world without sexual assault. 888-988-6423

Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center

Offers a wide variety of services led by an experienced and integrative team. Services can include 24/7 availability of care for sexual assault through Harborview ED, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, therapy services, and Foster Care Assessment Program (FCAP). 206-744-1600