Mental Health Assessments

Mental Health Services (MHS)  staff conduct special assessments for students submitting an exception request to withdraw from GW due to mental or emotional health reasons.

• Paperwork MUST be completed and provided to the MHS clinician by the time of assessment.
• There is a $60 assessment fee per session due at time of service. For your convenience, the fee can be billed to student accounts; we also accept GWorld and Credit Card (MC/Visa). Students can submit a fee reduction form with appropriate documentation, if needed.
• The duration of the assessment is 50 minutes (one clinical hour).
• Mental Health Withdrawal Assessments cannot be conducted on a walk-in basis. Schedule an appointment once paperwork is complete.
• Should the request for a withdrawal be approved by a Director of Advising, students should be aware of the university's expectation of treatment that addresses the concerns that led to the withdrawal.

Please read and follow instructions carefully.

1. Complete an Exception Request form and send it to your undergraduate Academic Advising office. (CCAS, ESIA, GWSB, MISPH, SEAS) 
2. Complete the Mental Health Services Withdrawal packet. You should be thorough and detailed on the following forms in the packet:
   1. Self-Assessment - Address your specific concerns and symptoms and how they impacted your academic functioning during the semester in question.
   2. Complete and sign the Authorization to Disclose Mental Health Information form, also known as the Release of Information (ROI) form.
3. Collect all supporting documentation substantiating an emotional/mental health concern. This can include hospital paperwork and letters from current/past treatment providers. The documentation must be on letterhead and must be signed by your provider. Treatment providers supplying documentation must be licensed or board certified and qualified to render a professional opinion. The provider must not be a student’s family member, relative, significant other, or family friend.
4. Obtain an unofficial copy of your academic transcript.
5. After you have compiled the above information, send it to Mental Health Services via fax (202-994-5267) or email ([email protected]).  Upon receiving your package, we will contact you to schedule an appointment for the assessment.  

All documentation can be sent to:

Mental Health Services
Colonial Health Center
Marvin Center, Ground Floor
800 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
Fax: 202-994-5267

[email protected]

A student who would like to return to GW from a mental health withdrawal will need to be evaluated by MHS, which will evaluate the student’s progress and readiness to cope with the demands of college life.

• To ensure adequate time for the review of materials, it is strongly recommended that you begin the process at least three (3) weeks prior to registration or six (6) weeks prior to the start of the semester in which you wish to return.
• Your request to return will not be reviewed until all documentation and recommendations are received by MHS. The final decision regarding your return is made by your Director of Advising and/or your Academic Dean.

Complete the Student Checklist for Returning to the George Washington University.
Required documentation must include:

1. A letter petitioning for your return, submitted to MHS. This letter must include the following:
   • Your current address and telephone number.
   • How you have addressed the issues that led to the need to withdraw.
   • All treatment that you have received.
   • Copies of transcripts showing any grades you have earned since your withdrawal, if applicable.
   • Other activities demonstrating your readiness to complete academic coursework (e.g. consistent employment).
   • Activities/experiences which demonstrate your readiness to live independently in the residence halls without supervision or oversight by GW staff (if seeking on-campus housing).
   • Activities/experiences which demonstrate your ability to handle college life (e.g. peer pressure, deadlines, etc.)
   • A plan of action for your return (counseling services, medical treatment, family support, reduced academic load, etc.)
2. A letter from the licensed mental health provider(s) who provided treatment during your leave. (A separate letter from each provider is needed.) The provider should not be your family member, relative, significant other, or family friend; the provider's relationship must be entirely professional in nature. To maintain confidentiality, the letter(s) can be placed in a sealed envelope and mailed to the Clinical Services Coordinator at the address provided below. The letter(s) must include the following:
   • The provider's name, address, and telephone number.
   • Diagnosis and treatment modality used.
   • Number and frequency of sessions including the dates of the first and last sessions.
   • An assessment of the student's ability to manage or cope with the issues which led to the withdrawal.
   • An assessment of the student's ability to handle college life (e.g. academic pressure, peer pressure, etc.)
   • Activities/experiences which demonstrate the student's readiness to live independently in the residence halls without supervision or oversight by GW staff.
   • Follow up recommendations (e.g. reduced academic course load, continued counseling, etc.)
3. The signed Release of Information (ROI) form. The ROI should include the name of the Director of Advising at your respective college and the name(s) of the treatment provider(s) supplying documentation.

A MHS staff member will review and evaluate the submitted materials for sufficient evidence indicating that you have adequately address the concerns that led to your withdrawal. Sufficient evidence includes but is not limited to:

• Verification of all psychotherapy or treatment received.
• Endorsement from a licensed mental health professional(s) that the student's symptoms are in remission or can be realistically managed in this academic setting.
• Activities demonstrating readiness to return.
• Plans for return that are comprehensive and realistic.

Upon receipt and review of your documentation, MHS staff will contact you about the outcome of your review and/or any further information that is needed.  

All documentation can be sent to:

Mental Health Services
Colonial Health Center
Marvin Center, Ground Floor
800 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
Fax: 202-994-5267

[email protected]

Mental Health Services staff conduct post-hospitalization re-entry assessments for students who are discharged from hospital care in order to coordinate continued care. There is no charge for these assessments. Contact us to schedule this assessment.

The Mental Health Services (MHS) at Colonial Health Center conducts a limited number of Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) mandated special assessments per semester on Anger Management. Contact us to schedule this assessment.