Eric Wood
Director of the TCU Counseling & Mental Health Center Texas Christian University
- Fort Worth TX
Dr. Wood is the director of one of the leading institutions in the field of college counseling,
Media
Social
Biography
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
TCU's Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership Award
2022
Top 25 in Best Student Support and Counseling Center, Princeton Review
Since 2021
Harriett Copher Haynes Diversity Leadership Mentoring Program Award, Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD)
2015
Education
The University of Texas at Dallas
B.A.
Psychology
1999
The University of North Texas
M.S.
Counseling Psychology
2002
The University of North Texas
Ph.D.
Counseling Psychology
2007
Affiliations
- The Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors : Executive Board
- Texas Statewide Suicide Prevention Council : Member
- Texas University and College Counseling Directors Association: Past President
Links
Media Appearances
Daily Briefing
The Chronicle of Higher Education online
2026-06-15
Sports gambling, addiction and rule enforcement collided a week ago with an injunction that’s poised to allow Brendan Sorsby to play quarterback for Texas Tech University next year — even though he wagered on his own team when he played for Indiana University. “We call it the fastest-growing high-risk behavior among college students,” says Eric Wood. “Unlike substance addictions, the body does not have a self-defense mechanism. If you drink too much, you’ll black out. But with sports betting, you can literally have an app on your phone and do a lot of damage in five minutes.”
Here are some ideas on how schools can better treat gambling addiction
Extra Points online
2026-05-12
The solutions to sports gambling regulation problems are mostly beyond the grasp of any campus official. Eric Wood is the director of Counseling & Mental Health at TCU. Unlike most schools, Wood said that TCU’s campus therapy programs specifically ask about gambling behaviors as part of a new patient intake form. For those campus therapy groups to be successful in treating gambling addiction issues, Wood told me he thinks professionals need to revisit their strategy. Wood recommended practitioners think deeper about what a gambling addiction actually is, and how it differs from potentially other addictions.
Election anxiety got you down? Here are psychology-backed tips on how to manage
MSN online
2024-11-13
Eric Wood, director of Texas Christian University’s Counseling and Mental Health Center, said avoiding the news isn’t the answer, noting that could discourage political participation.
Wood added that you don’t have to wait for your anxiety to reach a fever pitch before seeking help.
“I think there’s never a bad time to think about talking to a counselor. Anxiety is part of the human experience,” he said. “What we always say is, ‘Do you notice a change in yourself?’ Because anything that’s off should be something to get looked at to see what’s going on. If it lasts too long and you feel you need help resetting, a counselor or therapist would be a good resource.”
A Post-Election Analysis On The Value Of College Mental Health | Opinion
Forbes online
2024-11-09
There are many reports regarding how colleges and universities are responding to the results of this week’s U.S. presidential election. For example, The Daily Princetonian reported that several campus groups provided wellbeing-related resources across campus. In addition, the University of Texas at San Antonio announced that all classes were cancelled on Nov. 8, 2024 for a Day of Reflection. Though many institutions mentioned campus counseling centers while messaging about the election, and many students who were anxious/distressed found support from counseling centers, most campus counseling centers sought separation from the politics of the election due to serving a student body with various and different perspectives. Indeed, as outlined this week in a piece on Forbes.com, the Republican party gained support among young voters who typically lean toward the Democratic party.
New Models In College Mental Health | Opinion
Forbes online
2024-09-20
Forbes Health complied statistics showing the prevalence of mental health concerns in America, and these concerns are experienced all over the world. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) provided recommendations to transform mental health care, including reshaping school environments. Higher education is being revamped by collaborative models in college mental health, such as the one I shaped for Texas Christian University, which was featured in a sponsored Chronicle of Higher Education post. These models meet the recommendations of the WHO by utilizing the infrastructure of higher education and establishing formal partnerships with community providers.
Lead On, TCU Counseling & Mental Health Center
TCU Innovates Podcast online
2024-08-22
Eric Wood, Ph.D., TCU's Director of Counseling and Mental Health, visits with Chancellor Boschini to discuss how Texas Christian University is leading the way for colleges nationwide in providing counseling and mental health services to students. Through the Comprehensive Care Model, the TCU Counseling and Mental Health Center’s average waitlist is now the shortest in the country, helping students, building community and improving the mental health crisis one student at a time.
TCU counseling center is getting an expansion to better serve students
Fort Worth Report online
2023-07-24
“There’s so much change going on in the student’s lives,” Wood said. “You’re navigating a whole new social world. So, the fact that someone comes to counseling doesn’t mean you have a diagnosis, it just means a lot of stuff is going on and we’re one of the resources to help them.”
Counselors’ Concern | Opinion
LearningWell Magazine online
2023-11-02
As more states move to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programming, there is one consideration that should be placed above political ideology: student mental health. No matter how sensitive or controversial an issue is, student counseling centers on college campuses see to students’ mental health needs without judgement, and this is true for any issue. Yet new laws recently passed by the 88th Texas Legislature reflect a very specific point of view which threatens to compromise what the data show are best practices in college mental health.
Event Appearances
Supporting the well-being of marginalized students on campus
2024 Times Higher Education Student Success US Campus Live Series Event Knoxville, TN
The STATES of college mental health: Exploring the impact of anti-DEI laws in Texas and Florida and how directors can respond
75th Annual Conference for the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors Phoenix, AZ
Creature comforts: Practicing animal-assisted interventions
75th Annual Conference for the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors Phoenix, AZ
ACE mental health in higher education panel
American Council on Education
The importance of collaborative care in helping college students thrive on campus.
Big 12 Gathering in Fort Worth Fort Worth, TX
