CORNISH_Logo_TypeOnly
 / Office of Student Life / Counseling Services

Counseling Services

Counseling Services at Cornish College of the Arts is here to assist students with their academic and artistic pursuits by providing supportive counseling, referrals and outreach programs that promote students’ mental health and emotional well being.

Details

Counseling Office Hours

Counseling Services is open Monday through Friday.  Please contact one of the counselors below for their appointment hours or to learn about our daily designated walk-in hours.

There is no fee for Cornish Counseling Services.

Appointments

To schedule an appointment, call a counselor at 206-726-5027 or 206-726-5047.  If we are not available, please leave a message, and we will return your call as soon as possible.

We request that students new to our services complete a 20-30 minute screening to understand your issues and mental health history to better pair you with one of our counselors. Afterwards, the initial intake session is scheduled for 90 minutes while subsequent sessions are scheduled for 50 minutes. Your appointment time is held exclusively for you. It is important to be on time because your appointment will not be extended if you arrive late. If you are unable to keep your appointment for any reason, please give us at least 24 hours advance notice so that another student may use the time. If you miss an appointment without providing 24 hours advance notice, it will count as one of your 15 annual appointments and you will need to call to schedule or confirm any future appointments.

Mental Health Emergencies

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis during regular counseling office hours, call Cornish Counseling Services at either 206-726-5027 or 206-726-5047.

If you are in need of mental health services at night or on a weekend, call:

  • Seattle Crisis Clinic (24-hour access): 206-461-3222
  • Police/Ambulance: 911
  • Campus Security: 206-726-5038

How We Can Help

The Cornish Counseling Office can help you with a wide variety of issues that can affect your academic progress at Cornish and your overall well being.  Here are a few examples:

  • Homesickness or isolation
  • Stress management
  • Anxiety / panic attacks
  • Depression
  • Grief and loss
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Anger management
  • Eating disorders
  • Sexual and Gender Identity Development
  • Alcohol/substance abuse
  • Becoming more assertive
  • Concerns about a friend
  • Decision-making and problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Study skills
  • Improving communication skills
  • Relationship issues
  • Trauma (physical/sexual abuse)
  • Referrals to off-campus community resources

 

The Counseling Process

You have up to 15 counseling appointments available to you each academic year. You determine the frequency of appointments, methods and duration of services based on your individual needs in consultation with your counselor. Cornish counselors can also provide crisis intervention, consultation and referral to community resources.

At your first counseling meeting, you can expect your counselor to listen and help you explore your concerns. Together you can discuss possible ways to reach your goals. At the end of your first counseling session, you may decide to make another appointment to continue working together, or the counselor may refer you to a community resource.

Therapy Training & Approaches

Cornish counselors use a variety of therapeutic approaches to assist students. Those approaches include developmental, cognitive behavioral, Gestalt, Narrative therapy, and brief solution-focused counseling. To enhance their work, Cornish counselors participate in professional consultation and continuing education.

Records & Confidentiality

All counseling communication is confidential. A record of services provided and student contacts are kept in a secure location for eight years after final contact with student clients.

Your counselor may not disclose any information you have shared unless:

  • You give written consent.
  • There is a risk of imminent harm to self or others.
  • Disclosure is required under court order.
  • Disclosure is required by federal or state statute.
  • There is a case of possible child or elder abuse or neglect.
  • You are HIV-positive and are putting uninformed sexual partners at risk.

Community Resources

There are a wide variety of reputable resources in the Puget Sound area that can help you with specific issues and concerns. You do not need to have a referral from a Cornish counselor to contact these organizations.

Off Campus

Online Resources

Cornish Counseling Services Educational Programs

  • Dealing with a Major Life Change
  • Time Management

Suicide Risk & Prevention

Alcohol and Other Drugs

  • Alcohol Rehab Guide
  • Screenings for Substance Abuse
  • National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/treatment/what-to-do-if-you-have-problem-drugs-teens-young-adults)

ADD & ADHD

  • ADD Resources

Eating Disorders

Anxiety & Depression

Sexual Assault

Depression and Bipolar 

Post Traumatic Stress

 

Counselors:

Lori Koshork (Director) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in college student development issues and challenges including issues of oppression and social justice. Lori is also trained to provide trauma counseling using Prolonged Exposure Therapy practices. She graduated in 1994 with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology & Counselor Education, with an emphasis on Counseling in Higher Education, from Western Michigan University. Her career since then has been working with college students through both residence life programs and counseling services. She joined Cornish College of the Arts in the spring of 2008 as the Director of Counseling Services. 206.726.5027
Cornish Commons 114

Joseph Mills is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience providing individual and group therapy for youth, young adults and their families in Seattle. He is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and strength-based techniques. He earned a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Washington in 2000 and has worked as a counselor, supervisor, and youth development program manager in community mental health settings. Joseph joined Cornish College of the Arts in the fall of 2020 as a Counselor and Clinical Supervisor.

Katherine Nay (Intern) is an MA candidate in Antioch University Seattle’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She is a passionate advocate for student mental health and psychoeducation. Katherine’s primary therapeutic approach centers around attachment-focused counseling, acknowledging the profound impact of early experiences and relationships on identity and self-exploration. Katherine integrates elements of narrative therapy into her practice and believes an individual’s meaning-making process can be intentionally shaped to reflect their inherent strengths and resiliencies. By creating a safe, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed therapeutic space, Katherine aims to empower clients with the necessary knowledge and tools to gain a deeper understanding of their lived experiences and to effectively process difficult emotions.

More Information

Cornish Performance Production

Back

Student Life
Cornish Art Coffee student design packaging featuring a mermaid, with sketches underneath

About Us

Cornish at a Glance