Wellness @ SLS
Stanford Law School is committed to the well-being of our students. We strive to help students face the challenges of law school and beyond by providing programming and services within the law school, and connecting students to services, resources, and activities available through the larger Stanford community.
We recognize that wellness is holistic and multi-dimensional, and may mean different things to each individual. Explore below for resources that offer programming to promote well-being across multiple dimensions of wellness: emotional/mental, physical, meaningful/spiritual, social, and financial.
The Office of Student Affairs staff is available to help you in your wellness journey. If you are not sure where to start, contact us or drop by for an appointment. We hope you will develop self-care routines that will serve you well in your time at SLS and in your future practice.
One-page list of campus resources for student well-being
Campus support for students with immigration concerns
Counseling and Mental Health
CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is the university’s counseling center dedicated to student mental health and well-being. An on-call therapist is available 24 hours a day at (650) 723.3785.
CAPS @ SLS – Felicia Ortiz, JD, LMFT
The law school has partnered with CAPS to offer on-site counseling to law students. Felicia Ortiz, JD, LMFT is our SLS-embedded CAPS Counselor. You may book an appointment with Felicia by calling (650) 723.3785, or you may also reach out to her directly at ortizf@stanford.edu. Learn more about Felicia here.
If you’ve never met with a counselor before, recognize that it sometimes takes a few tries to find a counselor that meets your needs. Law students are not required to meet with the embedded SLS counselor, as there are many other very qualified CAPS counselors. You can view all CAPS counselor profiles here.
Bridge Peer Counseling Center
Anonymous, confidential, 24/7 peer counseling and support. Call (650) 723.3392 (available 24/7) or visit in person at Munger Building 1, Apartment 137, 566 Arguello Way (available 9 am to midnight). Use the entrance on Arguello across the street from the Wilbur Field Garage. To enter, dial 808 on the buzzer.
Confidential Support Team (CST)
CST supports connection, healing, and thriving among Stanford community members impacted by sexual, relationship, and gender-based violence through confidential, trauma-informed consultation, counseling, and outreach.
Campus resources to help you thrive
Stress Less. Be Happier. Accomplish Your Goals.
Explore your natural capacity to thrive, accomplish your goals, and handle challenging situations with more ease, resilience, and confidence through these Stanford resources. For a more complete list of resources, click here.
Well-Being at Stanford
Their mission is to empower individuals and communities to flourish through education, connection and positive culture change.
Stanford Recreation & Wellness
Your physical wellness starts at Stanford Rec. Explore gyms, take classes, or rent outdoor gear. Sign up for their newsletter to get all the latest news.
Financial Wellness with Mind Over Money
Stanford’s Mind Over Money program promotes financial literacy and offers personal coaching, courses, and online personal finance modules.
Spiritual/Meaningful Wellness
The Office of Religious Life (ORSL) offers events and programs to address your spiritual wellness, however you may define that.
Cardinal Recovery
Sober curious or wanting to learn more about addiction recovery at Stanford? What does recovery even mean? In Cardinal Recovery’s one-on-one meetings, you’ll meet with SUPER’s Collegiate Recovery Coordinator who can answer your questions, get you connected with peer support group meetings on or off-campus, and familiarize you with Cardinal Recovery’s program offerings such as no-cost substance-free alternatives to having fun.
SHARE Title IX
The Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Education Title IX Office (SHARE Title IX) is the University’s central resource for redressing and preventing sexual harassment and violence issues experienced by all Stanford community members.
Resources for Disordered Coping
Coping skills are the tools people use to help manage and navigate stressful situations or moments of overwhelm. Coping skills can be a healthy part of your self-care routine, but when done in excess can lead to disordered behavior (e.g. watching too much TV or playing video games, endlessly scrolling the internet, eating/drinking in excess, shutting down/lashing out). We hope you’ll use the resources available to develop a healthy self-care routine. If you find you’ve developed unhealthy coping skills as a result of stress or overwhelm, please reach out to OSA or our SLS CAPS counselors. We can get you the help you need. Here are some Stanford resources:
- Stanford Cardinal Recovery, including free 1:1 support sessions
- The Substance Use Programs, Education, and Resources (SUPER) office offers free, private, short-term support to members of the Stanford student community, providing a range of educational resources on substance use, including alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and other substances. Schedule a 1:1 session or email alcohol@stanford.edu for more information.
In addition to the Stanford resources listed above, there are a number of statewide and national resources available specifically for law students who are dealing with mental health and/or substance use issues. Here are a few:
- ABA Law Students Division – Mental Health Resources.
- ABA Substance Abuse & Mental Health Toolkit, for law school students and those who care about them.
- CA State Bar Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP). This confidential program helps lawyers and law students and “provides a supportive structure for building a personal program of recovery from chemical dependency and/or mental health disorders.”
- The Other Bar. CA network of recovering lawyers, law students and judges, dedicated to assisting others who are suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems. They are founded on the principle of anonymity and provide services in strict confidentiality. More info for law students, including confidential weekly meetings (Wed, 8-9 pm, Zoom).
Wellness Week 2025
Each year, the ABA Law Student Division and the ABA COLAP work together on a Mental Health Day initiative. SLS uses the opportunity to provide additional programming and resources around mental health and wellness. For 2025, COLAP has put together this website of wellness resources for law students.
Naturally, your wellness shouldn’t be limited to a single week. We will plan more programming throughout the year, but we hope you take this opportunity to explore and establish healthy self-care and resilience strategies.
Monday, October 6: Narcan (Nalaxone) Training
12:45-2:00pm, Room 180, RSVP
Naloxone (aka Narcan) is a medication that can be administered to treat a narcotic overdose.
Join us to learn from a substance specialist:
- How to recognize opioid overdose
- All about Narcan and how to administer
- Get your own naloxone kit
Tuesday, October 7: Pausing Together in Stillness with Professor Ron Tyler
1:00-1:30pm, Room 27. Event page
Professor Ron Tyler, a certified meditation instructor, offers 30 minutes of stillness together including time for discussion at the close of each session. All are welcome (students, faculty, and staff), no matter your familiarity or experience with meditation. Drops in are always welcome.
Tuesday, October 7: Robert Crown Law Library Creativity Break
12:45-2:00pm, 1st floor of the library
Join us for a creative break during Wellness Week! Drop by the 1st floor of the library during the lunch hour to participate in a creative activity. Check out the library’s curated list of wellness books here.
Wednesday, October 8: Why Joy Matters and How to Choose Joy Every Day, with Kelly McGonigal
12:45-2:00pm, Room 290, Lunch provided to those who RSVP by Monday, Oct. 6. Event Page
What if joy isn’t something you have to wait for, but something you can choose? Based on the latest research and insights from psychology and neuroscience, this talk will introduce a fresh perspective on how joy works, and practical strategies for harnessing the power of joy in everyday life.
Stanford alum and GSB lecturer Kelly McGonigal is a psychologist whose work shows us how to experience hope, connection, and meaning—even when life is difficult.
Thursday, October 9: Meet a Well-Being Coach + Healthy Juice from Pressed
12:45-1:50pm, Russo Lounge
Well-Being Coaches are an incredible resource at Stanford! Not sure what well-being coaches do, or how you might benefit from a personal well-being coach? Stop by Russo Lounge during lunch to meet one of the amazing coaches, Angela Estrella. In addition to the Well-Being Coach, we’ll also have healthy juice from Pressed (while supplies last).
Thursday, October 9: Well-Being Wayfinding Drop-in Session
2:00-4:00pm, Room 311, Use this Calendly link to sign up for a session.
Schedule a 20 minute session to meet with a Well-Being Coach if you have questions about:
- Your well-being — integrating “best” well-being practices for you, or
- Coaching — you’re curious and want to learn more
- Well-Being resource navigation — you’re curious and want to learn more about campus resources to support your well-being
Ongoing thru Wellness Week: Dear 1L & AdvDeg Self
Words of affirmation, support, and wisdom from 2L, 3L, and recently graduated AdvDeg students will play on the screens of Russo Lounge throughout the week.
Ongoing Fall Quarter: Pausing Together in Stillness with Professor Ron Tyler
Professor Ron Tyler, a certified meditation instructor, offers 30 minutes of stillness together including time for discussion at the close of each session. All are welcome (students, faculty, and staff), no matter your familiarity or experience with meditation. Drops in are always welcome. Wednesdays, October 15 through November 19, 1:00-1:30pm in Room 26.
Ongoing campus events: ORSL Contemplative Programs
The Office of Religious Life offers weekly yoga and meditation sessions at the CIRCLE Sanctuary (Old Union, 3rd floor). Learn more here.
Ongoing campus events: CAPS Workshops, Groups, and online resources
CAPS offers a multitude of workshops and group sessions, you can learn more here. In addition, they’ve recorded many sessions which you can explore from the comfort of your home.