To set-up an initial counseling session, or if you have questions about the Hillel counseling program, please email Orliyah at counselor@hilleluw.org.
Meet our counselor, Orliyah Finnegan:
Orliyah is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 20+ years of experience as a psychotherapist working with adolescents and their families. She is a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP) as well as a nationally registered Art Therapist (AT-R). Since 2004, she has practiced in non-profit setting serving low-income families of Downtown Los Angeles and Brooklyn, NY. By 2012, she had settled into private practice where she saw clients ranging in age from 5 to 75. She holds three permanent licenses to practice in CA, NY and WA state. She has her BA in English with a minor in Biology from the University of California Riverside and her Masters in Psychology from Phillips Graduate University of California. As a Jewish psychotherapist serving the UW student population, Orliyah uses solution -focused therapy, CBT, DBT and evidence-based trauma specialties such as EMDR to help uncover parts of the self that are otherwise undiscovered. Orliyah is also here to address acute matters such as academic strain, transition issues, relationship issues like breakups and managing friendships.
In addition, as needed and appropriate, Orliyah is happy to recommend a Jewish-identified Peer Wellness Coach (PWC), a free service offered by LiveWell’s Peer Health Educators for UW-Seattle undergraduate students. Meeting with a Peer Wellness Coach can be a great option for students looking to strengthen and enhance their personal well-being, solve problems effectively, and/or work toward intentional change in their lives and health from the perspective of a peer trained in evidence-supported models of coaching and relational support. Appointments can be held at Hillel UW, at the on-campus LiveWell office (109 Elm Hall), or on Zoom.
Orliyah lives in Kirkland, WA with her three children, her husband, and their German Shepherd dog, Baxter. She enjoys time with her family, getting outside in the beautiful PNW, skiing/snowboarding in the winters, summer concerts in the park, and Shabbat Fridays with her family. To learn even further about Orliyah and her therapeutic techniques, you can read more about her at her website.
Hillel counseling services with Orliyah are:
- Confidential and affordable. We do our best to work with each client who would benefit from our services so cost is not a barrier, and the initial hourly rate for students is $10.
- Our counselor is available to see clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for either in-person or telehealth sessions.
- Available to Jewish undergraduate and graduate students at a rate of $10-$40. Referrals also available for young adults who are part of our Jconnect community.
- Short- or long-term as needed.
Counseling can help you navigate life’s twists and turns. You may find one-on-one counseling helpful for:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Relationships
• Interfaith dating
• LGBTQ, coming out and gender identity issues
• Eating and body image issues
• Substance abuse and recovery
• Pre-marital concerns
• Grief and loss
• Violence and abuse
• Job-related concerns
• Jewish identity issues
Hillel UW was the first Hillel in the country to offer a counseling program
to serve Jewish undergraduate and graduate students.
If you are looking for additional counseling resources, this list may be a helpful place to start:
- King County Crisis Connections (24 hour phone support), 206-461-3222
- UW Counseling Center, 401 Schmitz Hall, 206-543-1240
- UW Psychiatry/ Mental Health (Counseling/Psychiatry), 206-543-5030
