Gender and Sexuality CenterWaseda University

You can utilize our counseling services provided by our Gender and Sexuality Specialty Staff to address issues related to and stemming from gender and sexuality. Your privacy will be protected. As needed, we can also make referrals to and collaborate with programs and agencies on and off campus. 

Example topics to address in counseling at the GS Center include the exploration of your own gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, romantic orientation,  etc., deepening your understanding as an active ally to the LGBTQ+ community, navigating and fighting against gender norms in society,  issues related to gender transition, relationships, coming out, and sexual violence/assault and its lasting impact (including the past experiences), and collecting information on the GS Center, gender and sexuality issues, and SOGIE harassment. 

• Who is eligible?
  （１）Students of Waseda University, Art and Architecture School of Waseda University, and other affiliated schools (fuzoku-gakkou)
  （２）Faculty/staff members of Waseda University, Art and Architecture School of Waseda University, and other affiliated schools (fuzoku-gakkou)) to address topics related to your students; and
  （３）Parents/guardians of Waseda University, Art and Architecture School of Waseda University, and other affiliated schools (fuzoku-gakkou) to address topics related to the students
  ※Please note that those who are not affiliated with Waseda University are not eligible for the service.
• Language availability 
  Services are currently available in Japanese and English. Text-based communication in Japanese and English is also available (i.e. passing notes, using a collaborative document editing tool, using a speech-to-text application). For other languages, please contact us in advance, and you may be able to bring your own interpreter.
• Email-based consultation   
  In some rare cases, we will answer your questions via email. 
• Counseling room accessibility
  An elevator is available in Building 10, where the GS Center is located, but if you wish to have an in-person session with the GS Center specialty staff at an alternative, more accessible location, please contact us in advance.

1. At the GS Center, you can address topics related to gender and sexuality, as well as indirect topics that are affecting matters pertaining to gender and sexuality.  
2. The Gender and Sexuality Specialty Staff will deeply listen to you and support you in achieving what you want to get out of the session (i.e., self-understanding, clarification of the issues, problem solving, self-actualization, etc.). 
3. The counseling sessions are confidential, and the information discussed in the session will be kept between you and the GS Center’s staff team. 
4. With your consent, the GS Center can collaborate with third party agencies and programs both in and outside the university and coordinate care and support. Exceptions to confidentiality apply in the event that your life or the life of those around you is at risk, and the GS Center will contact or report to appropriate persons or agencies as an emergency response even if we are unable to obtain your consent.
   ■　If we assess that you are at increased risk for life-threatening conditions, we will conduct a separate process to confirm your information on student record and the presence or absence of a primary care psychiatrist, and to obtain consent regarding the extent to which information can be exchanged with your psychiatrist or primary medical care provider.
   ■　In order to protect your life and physical safety, 1) the GS Center will contact and collaborate with your primary medical care provider(s), your Waseda school, the Waseda University Health Support Center, and other relevant section(s) (e.g., Academic Affairs Section, Personnel Section, Student Affairs Section, Center for International Education, General Affairs Section); and 2) the GS Center will release relevant personal information on your student record, medical information, as well as your crisis information and the GS Center’s response to it to date with the people and organizations with which we collaborate.  
5. The total number of individual counseling sessions will be included in the GS Center’s annual activity report, but the data will be aggregated, and the content of the sessions and other personal information will not be disclosed.* At some of the university’s internal meetings, we at times report on aggregated and anonymized data on topics brought up in sessions, and cases that involved other sections within the university. In particular, if there are instances of inappropriate or insufficient behaviors/responses by staff and faculty members, the GS Center may report them to the on-campus Office of Compliance and/or other relevant section(s) as a safety concern. You can choose not to include your personally identifiable information in the report, but the specific location where the incident occurred and the other party’s information will be part of the report.  
6. Unlike the Health Support Center at Waseda University, the GS center does not offer psychotherapy and psychological testing. For those who have specific physical or psychosomatic symptoms (e.g. sleep difficulty, difficulty concentrating, etc.), referral to the Health Support Center can be made based on your needs and the severity of symptoms. 
7. While the staff members can provide basic information about gender, sexuality, and LGBTQ+ issues, we are unable to share extensive information or personal information such as our identities around SOGIE status. In cases where you need guidance or information for your class assignments and research, we will guide you to relevant books and other resources. 
8. To ensure that the Gender and Sexuality Specialty Staff do not leak your privacy even unintentionally, if and when we see you outside the GS Center, we will not initiate a greeting. 
9. The Gender and Sexuality Specialty Staff will not exchange personal contact information with you while you are receiving counseling sessions and/or while you are a student at Waseda University.  

1. Making an appointment  

Please make an appointment through the form below. When the specialty staff is available, you can make an appointment in-person at the GS Center as well. 

2. On the day of the appointment 

In-person session

• Please come directly to the GS Center and complete the GS Center user sign-in procedure under the guidance of the reception staff. After sign-in, the assigned specialty staff will guide you to a meeting room.
• For those who wish to sign in directly with the assigned specialty staff in another room instead of in the community space, please go directly to the location indicated in the confirmation email.

Remote session online 

• Please prepare the counseling environment before the scheduled time and participate in the online session by clicking the meeting link included in the invitation email.

3. Session information 

The counseling session will last for up to 50 minutes. The counseling sessions are kept confidential. You can end your counseling after one session, or make ongoing appointments as needed. 

Depending on your needs and the content of topics you bring, we may refer you to other services both on and off campus.

• Health Support Center （Student counseling room）

 Licensed clinical psychotherapists are available at the Student Counseling Room in the Health Support Center.

• Office for Promotion of Compliance（formerly Harassment Prevention Office）

You may anonymously consult the Waseda University Office for Promotion of Compliance via letter, telephone, fax or email. You may also first anonymously reach out to us before you decide that you want a serious counseling.

• Career Center

Staff with specialized knowledge will provide support.

• LGBTQ+ Tomonkai

The LGBTQ+ Tomonkai is an organization registered at the Waseda University Alumni Association, consisting mainly of LGBTQ+ and the allied graduates of Waseda University. They can offer advice and connect with current Waseda students who are experiencing difficulties finding a career path or role model.