Counseling Services
BetterMynd Partnership - Starting October 21, 2026!
Student Counseling Services has partnered with BetterMynd to provide CWU students with more options for mental health care.
BetterMynd is a teletherapy vendor that partners with college counseling centers to extend the mental health service options available to students. By contracting with a diverse array of licensed mental health providers across the United States - many of whom can offer appointments outside of just the typical 8-5 workday - BetterMynd supplements Student Counseling's options for care. All CWU students, except Running Start students, who are actively enrolled in classes are eligible to use BetterMynd services.
The students who are the best fit for BetterMynd are:
- Online students living outside Washington State
- CWU Center students who live too far away to come to the Ellensburg Campus for services
- CWU students who need early morning, evening, or weekend therapy appointments
Getting Started with BetterMynd:
- Scan the QR code or use this link to access Single Sign-on (available October 21, 2026)
- CWU Single Sign-on will log you into the BetterMynd platform
- Complete the registration information
- Pick a counselor and schedule a session
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is eligible to use BetterMynd?
BetterMynd is available to actively enrolled CWU students who pay the "Telehealth, Health, and Counseling fee" as part of their mandatory fees. This is most CWU students. Running Start students do not pay this fee and are not eligible for BetterMynd services.
BetterMynd is available to students during quarter breaks and over the summer as long as they were enrolled the quarter prior to the break and plan to return to CWU after the break.
Please note that BetterMynd does not provide services to students who are under 18 years old. First year students who are younger than 18 and are not Running Start students can be seen by Student Counseling Services. See our Starting Counseling page for more information - or just give us at call at 509-963-1391.
If you believe you are eligible but are not able to access BetterMynd, please contact our office at Counseling@cwu.edu or 509-963-1391.
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Is there a cost to use BetterMynd?
No! BetterMynd services, just traditional Student Counseling Services, is covered by your Teletherapy, Health, and Counseling fee. No additional charges or insurance needed!
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How do I register for BetterMynd?
To register with BetterMynd:
- Scan the QR code
- CWU Single Sign-on will log you into the BetterMynd platform
- Complete the registration information
- Pick a counselor and schedule a session
More visual? Watch a video on how to register and pick a counselor through BetterMynd.
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How do a scan a QR from a website that I'm looking at on my phone?
Scanning a QR Code Saved on Your Phone Screen or Gallery
If the QR code is inside a screenshot, email, picture, or webpage on your phone:- On iPhone: Open the photo in your gallery, tap the Live Text (OCR) icon (a small square box with lines) at the bottom-right until it turns blue, then tap the QR code to reveal the link.
- On Android: Take a screenshot of the code, open it in your gallery or Files app, and tap the Google Lens / search icon at the bottom to read and open the link. You can also use on-screen tools like Circle to Search by long-pressing the home or gesture bar and circling the code.
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How should I prepare for and what should I expect at my first session?
How to prepare:
Practical things:
- Find a private, quiet, safe environment to have your session. Can be your car, your room, a quiet corner somewhere. If you are in Ellensburg and your appointment is when Student Counseling Services is open, you can reserve a room in our center for your appointment. Call 509-963-1391 to reserve space.
- Have access to a working device with internet access - phone, tablet, or computer. Don't forget to charge it!
- Be prepared to have your camera on and be visible to your counselor. Choose a well-lit area facing the camera. Lots of folks don't love having the camera on, but your counselor needs to see how you are feeling and reacting to things as you talk. It helps them help you better!
Self-reflection things:
- Counseling isn't a test and there are no right or wrong answers. But it helps to prepare a bit.
- Write down a few notes about why you are seeking help. It is normal to feel nervous in a first session, so having some notes can help.
- What feelings or experiences made you seek counseling?
- What are you hoping to resolve or feel better about?
- What questions do you have about the counseling process?
What to expect:
- You'll meet with your counselor for a 50-minute session.
- In your first appointment, your counselor will probably have a lot of questions for you as they want to get to know you and your concerns and figure out how to best help you.
- If you and your counselor feel like it is a good match, you'll be able to schedule a follow-up appointment with them.
- If you don't feel it is a good match, you can talk to your counselor about what you need, or you can just choose to schedule with someone else for your next appointment.
- Remember, counseling can feel uncomfortable at the start and you might need to give it a couple of appointments. Like any relationship, trust and comfort take time.
- If you don't feel it is a good match, you can talk to your counselor about what you need, or you can just choose to schedule with someone else for your next appointment.
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How many sessions can I use?
BetterMynd is a short-term counseling service. If you need help finding long-term therapy, please contact Student Counseling Services and request a Care Coordination appointment. 509-963-1391
- You will have 9 appointments (50-minute sessions) credited to your account with BetterMynd.
- No shows and late cancellations will be deducted from your 9 credits and will not be added back. It is important that you attend your appointments or follow the BetterMynd cancellation policy.
- You will have 9 appointments (50-minute sessions) credited to your account with BetterMynd.
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Can I use BetterMynd and Student Counseling Services at the same time?
You can only received individual counseling from one provider at a time. As both BetterMynd and Student Counseling Services are short-term models, you can do a course of therapy with BetterMynd and then another course of therapy with Student Counseling Services - or vice versa.
You can receive individual counseling from a BetterMynd provider and receive the following services from Student Counseling Services at the same time. We may ask you to sign a release of information with your BetterMynd counselor so we can coordinate your care:
- Group therapy
- Workshops
- Crisis or urgent support
- Care Coordination
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Does BetterMynd provide drop-in/crisis services?
BetterMynd does not provide drop-in/crisis appointments. Please contact Student Counseling Services at 509-963-1391 if you need this support. Also see our Crisis Resources page for additional information.
CWU students who are 18+ can call the 24/7 BetterMynd support line at 844-287-6963 to access immediate mental health support over the phone, including those who are crisis.
Anyone can use the 24/7 National Crisis Line by calling or texting 988.
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Can I use BetterMynd when I am out of state, like on breaks? Or when I'm traveling?
It depends on your BetterMynd counselor. If they are licensed in the state you will be traveling to, you can continue to see them while you are away. If they are not, you might have to take a break until you come back to the state where you've been seeing them. Check with your BetterMynd counselor ahead of any travel or breaks so you can both be on the same page.
BetterMynd has counselors in all 50 states, so if you are going away for an internship, you could find a BetterMynd provider who is licensed in that state.
The 24/7 support line (844-287-6963) through BetterMynd works in all 50 states - and you can even use it if you are outside of the United States. For international callers, call +1-919-866-3211. Let them know what school you are enrolled in and a callback number and a counselor will call you right back.
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Is BetterMynd the same as BetterHelp?
BetterMynd is not associated with BetterHelp.
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Contact
Student Counseling Services
Black Hall 225-30
- Counseling@cwu.edu
- 509-963-1391
- Fax: 509-963-9308
Mondays 9:30-12 and 1-4:30
Tuesdays 8-12 and 1-4:30
Wednesdays 8-12 and 1-4:30
Thursdays 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:30
Fridays 8-12 and 1-4:30
Closed 12-1 for lunch
Closed University holidays
Closed last two weeks of December