Counseling Center

The Counseling Center offers in-person and telehealth counseling sessions at no cost to students.  You'll meet one-on-one with a counselor, and work together to discuss your goals and create a plan to address your concerns.

The number of sessions you will attend depends on several factors.  We seek to provide meaningful treatment for as many students as possible. While we don't have session limits, students will typically see a counselor for an average of 5 sessions. If you are seeking long-term therapy, Counseling Center staff can help get you connected with a provider. 

Do I need a crisis appointment?

While most services offered by UCM Counseling Center are scheduled, we know that some situations require more immediate intervention.

If you're unsure whether your situation is a crisis, here are some examples:

• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm and feeling uncertain about keeping yourself safe 
• Thoughts of seriously harming another person 
• Death of a loved one 
• Have not slept at all in 3 or more days 
• Recent physical or sexual assault, stalking, or relationship violence 
• Hearing voices, seeing things that others would say don’t exist, or other impaired reality 
• Not being able to function due to extreme psychological distress 
• Immediate overwhelming anxiety and unable to calm yourself down 

During a crisis appointment, a counselor will assess your safety, help problem solve, and give tips to help manage your emotional response.

They may also help with things such as recommending additional supports, reaching out to an emergency contact, discuss safety planning, and/or other interventions based on your situation.

Crisis/emergency appointments are available during office hours every day the Counseling Center is open, so you can be seen the same day.

Still have questions?  Let us know!

Stop & Chat is a drop-in service that offers informal, confidential consultation with a counselor.

Stop & Chat consultations are ...

• FREE for UCM students
• Offered first-come, first-served (no appointment necessary)
• Typically about 15-20 minutes in length
• Informal, and not a substitute for counseling
• Not appropriate for urgent concerns or mental health emergencies

Stop & Chat is not a substitute for counseling and does not constitute mental health
treatment. Stop & Chat counselors can listen to specific problems, help explore solutions, and
introduce you to what it’s like to speak with a member of our staff. Please refer to our FAQs for
more details.

 

For additional information about Stop & Chat, visit: Stop & Chat FAQ

If you think a student is in IMMEDIATE danger of attempting suicide, call 911, or UCM Public Safety at 660-543-4123, or take the person to the nearest Emergency Department (in Warrensburg that's Western Missouri Medical Center, 403 Burkarth Rd.

If you believe a student may possibly be suicidal, share that information with one of the following people or offices:

• Corey Bowman, Associate Vice President for Student Experience and Engagement, at 660-543-4114 or Administration Building, Suite 214
• Counseling Center at 660-543-4060 or Administration Building, Suite 102
• Public Safety at 660-543-4123 or 306 Broad Street (24 hours, 7 days a week)
• A readily available university employee, such as Housing staff, a faculty member, student organization advisor, or any other University employee with whom you are familiar
• You can also call 988, the national Suicide & Crisis Line.

• Mostly focused on the development of new skills.
• Workshops tend to be intermittent and take place in series, not requiring continuous attendance.
• There is no necessary screening; Initial Consultation not required.
• Educational in nature; not considered therapy. Attending a workshop does not make you a client of the UCM Counseling Center.

Available 24/7 on Blackboard, these videos are designed to strengthen your skills for managing common stressors of college life:

• Better Sleep
• Dealing with Grief
• Failure Isn't Final
• Healthier Thinking Habits
• Healthy Relationships
• Healthy Sexual Relationships
• Managing Anxiety
• Managing Emotions
• Motivation
• Relationship Red Flags
• Relaxation
• Resiliency
• Self-Care
• Stress Management

How to access Mental Fitness workshops on Blackboard:

1. Login to Blackboard.
2. Click on “Organizations” at the left.
3. Click on the “Organization Catalog” book icon in the upper right-hand corner of your webpage.
4. Type "Mental Fitness" into the empty field.
5. Click on the down arrow next to the COURSE ID then click on "Enroll.”

From then on, Mental Fitness Online should automatically show up in your “Organizations” tab.

BodyU is a free interactive self-help program fostering health and wellness and covers general fitness, healthy eating habits, coping skills, anxiety- and stress-reduction techniques, and how to more positively evaluate your self-image. 

Your Body U program is tailored to your unique needs through an anonymous 5-10 minute screening. You'll then receive personal feedback and gain access to FREE online/mobile app programs. 

The program is based on 30+ years of research conducted at Stanford University and Washington University in St. Louis and is being offered to UCM students for free.

During regular office hours, you can talk with one of our counselors to get support in helping another student.

If you'd like to work with a counselor for a longer time than the Counseling Center can provide, or if you're looking for specialized care, we'll help you explore options in the community that are accessible and affordable.

Counseling Center staff can speak to UCM organizations, groups, clubs, classes, etc. about a variety of topics related to psychological health and well-being.

To request a Counseling Center presentation, please email counselingcenter@ucmo.edu. You will be contacted within a few days about your request. If you have any questions, call 660-543-4060.

A UCM employee who has reason to believe a student is in IMMEDIATE danger of attempting suicide should immediately call 911, or UCM Public Safety at 660-543-4123.

A UCM employee who has reason to believe a student may possibly be suicidal should immediately notify one of these:

• Corey Bowman, Associate Vice President for Student Experience and Engagement, at 660-543-4114 or Administration Building 214
• Counseling Center at 660-543-4060 or Administration Building, Suite 102
• Public Safety at 660-543-4123 or 306 Broad Street (24 hours, 7 days a week)

Be prepared to provide as much detailed information as possible. The Counseling Center staff and/or Associate Vice President for Student Experience and Engagement will evaluate the situation on a case by case basis, make a decision on what actions need to occur, and provide consultation regarding what additional steps need to be taken by the employee who reported the situation.

988 is the national Suicide & Crisis Line

During regular office hours, you can talk with one of our counselors to get support in helping a student in distress.

• Eliminate jokes, stories, pictures, self-disparaging remarks, and so forth, that glorify slenderness and vilify fat and fat people.
• Promote safety and respect for females and males of all ages and all shapes. In particular, take girls and women seriously, regardless of their size, shape, weight, age, and such.
• Refuse to play the “body disparagement” game. Do not engage in calorie-restrictive dieting and in making negative remarks about your own body.
• Bring in and eat—and share—healthy and fun snacks.
• Exercise for fun, fitness, and friendship—not to compensate for calories eaten or other forms of “being bad.” Take advantage of opportunities for physical activities at school: stretch, take walks, participate in (and maybe organize) teacher events at track and field days.
• Exercise your right to dance, swim, play, and dress with your own style, regardless of body shape and body weight.
• Compliment other adults—in their presence and when they are not there—about things they do well. It is fine to compliment appearance occasionally but include compliments for people who look different from the societal ideal.
• Encourage others to say and think positive things about themselves. Help them recognize their own skills and strengths.
• Show respect for the concerns people express (e.g., about prejudice, teasing, limitations due to gender roles). Try to help them find active solutions rather than just telling them to ignore or tolerate the problem.
• Study culture, cultures, history, gender, resistance, and change. Share (and create) stories of resistance to unhealthy cultural influences, and in so doing try to provide alternative images of pride, competence, care, and respect.

Michael P. Levine, Linda Smolak (2006). The Prevention of Eating Problems and Eating Disorders, Theory, Research, and Practice. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.

By following these straightforward pointers, you will be better equipped to help students cope with the death of a fellow student or faculty/staff member.

• Usually, it is a good idea to have a discussion as soon as reasonably possible after learning of the death, possibly at the next class meeting.
• Sometimes briefer is better. Students may initially feel shock. Say you understand that students may feel shocked and speechless upon hearing news of the death. The loss can be acknowledged without having students feel pressure to speak. An opportunity to talk about the death may be offered again at the next class meeting.
• When you introduce the subject, it is usually helpful to share what facts are known about the death. People often want to know this sort of information first before talking about their reactions. This can also eliminate misinformation and disturbing rumors.
• Prior to giving students an opportunity to speak, share your feelings, thoughts and reactions. In this way you serve as a role model and create an environment in which students may feel more comfortable talking. Sharing your reactions will also help normalize the feelings and thoughts of your students. If you are comfortable showing and acknowledging your emotional reactions, you will model appropriate expression of grief or shock.
• Invite students in a straight forward manner to share their reactions. The students may not accept the invitation, which is okay. However, it is important that they are given the opportunity to talk.

There is no one right way to grieve or react. Possible grief reactions include:

• Students may have feelings they do not expect
• Reactions to the death may occur at times that surprise them
• Students may feel unexpectedly anxious or angry
• Students may not feel like their usual selves for awhile
• Intensity of the feelings and reactions are sometimes connected to how close they felt to the deceased person, but not always

Remember:

• Normalize the shock and upset that goes with learning of a death.
• Convey that distress, numbness, or not feeling much of anything are all natural reactions to death.
• Thank the students for listening and for any discussion that took place.
• Again, emphasize that a whole range of feelings are natural.
• Acknowledge that people usually want to discuss upsetting things with friends and loved ones. But also recommend the Counseling Center as an option if students find themselves mystified by intense or persistent reactions, unrelenting distress, or impaired functioning.

Tips for talking with someone who is grieving:

Counseling Center staff can speak to UCM organizations, groups, clubs, classes, etc. about a variety of topics related to psychological health and well-being.

To request a Counseling Center presentation, please email counselingcenter@ucmo.edu. You will be contacted within a few days about your request. If you have any questions, call 660-543-4060.

Janelle Barrett, CFLE-P, SMFT
Clinician

Janelle is an alumna of the University of Central Missouri (UCM) where she obtained her MS in Human Development and Family Science with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. Prior to joining the Counseling Center at UCM, Janelle has had experience in a variety of settings in the mental health field, including but not limited to, individual and family therapy, substance use treatment, adolescents, homeless families, and foster care families.

Her areas of interest include advocating for accessibility of mental health services in underserved populations, working with diverse populations to address mental health disparities, first generational students, non-traditional college students, diversity and inclusivity, and developing clinical practices to address challenges in marginalized populations. Janelle uses a solution focused and strength-based approach.

In her spare time, Janelle enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading.

 

Liz Cassidy, PhD
Psychologist, Assistant Director

Liz received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from West Virginia University and joined the UCM Counseling Center staff in 2007.  She has been a licensed psychologist in the state of Missouri since 2008.   Liz is a generalist practitioner, able to help with many concerns.  In addition, Liz has specific interests in working with students who are coping with disordered eating, body image dissatisfaction, and a range of anxiety-related concerns.  Liz utilizes a collaborative and strengths-based style in working with students.  She uses a variety of evidence based approaches to counseling, in particular CBT and ACT.

In her free time, Liz enjoys being outdoors, reading, and spending time with family.

 

WanHsuan Huang, MEd, NCC, PLPC
Clinician

WanHsuan (she/her/hers) is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC), holding a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Pennsylvania State University. She has been a National Certified Counselor since 2023. As a clinician, WanHsuan is committed to providing empathetic therapy across a spectrum of concerns, fostering positive changes through self-exploration.

While being a generalist, WanHsuan possesses experience in supporting college students through various issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, identity exploration, and interpersonal relationships. Guided by her proficiency in Humanistic, Relational Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Dialectical-Behavioral therapy, WanHsuan’s main objective is to empower individuals, enabling them to surpass challenges and cultivate resilience for overall well-being.

Beyond her role as a clinician, WanHsuan finds joy in reading, watching movies, bouldering, and discovering new coffee shops and restaurants.

 

Heather Lawson, MA, NCC, PLPC
Clinician

Heather received a Master’s in Clinical Counseling in 2019 from Central Methodist University and is a nationally certified counselor. Heather is provisionally licensed in the state of Missouri and joined the Counseling Center at UCM in 2020. As a general practitioner, Heather is able to assist with a variety of concerns that students may be experiencing. Serving in the mental health field for over 25 years, Heather has had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of individuals.

Heather enjoys working with people as they explore the depths of identity, intersections, strengths, fears, hopes and struggles. During free time, Heather can be found contemplating the cosmos, road tripping for a food or nature adventure, sitting around a fire, enjoying music, or spending time with family and friends. 

 

Alina Zamfir, LCSW
Clinician

Alina received her MSW (Master of Social Work) in 2017 from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and became an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) in 2019. Prior to joining the Counseling Center at UCM in 2022, Alina accrued over 10 years of experience in the mental health field and has worked in a variety of settings, including all levels of addiction treatment, inpatient psych and private practice. Alina has experience with individuals throughout the lifespan and is also a Registered Play Therapist. While Alina is a general practitioner, she enjoys working with college students in areas of interpersonal relationships, coping with stress and transition, self-compassion and managing anxiety. Alina uses an eclectic and strengths-based approach.

In her free time, Alina enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her family and traveling. 

 

Briget Rucker
Office Professional

Briget earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from UCM.  In her spare time, she likes to crochet, shop and spend time with family. 

 

Jeanne MST Woon, Ph.D.
Psychologist, Director

Jeanne (she/her) joined Central Missouri in 2001.  She has a B.S. in Psychology from Washington State University and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University.  In her graduate studies, Jeanne focused on multicultural issues, college student development, career development, and group dynamics.  She worked and trained at counseling centers, community clinics, inpatient units, and public hospitals, as well as volunteered on suicide crisis hotlines and in rape crisis advocacy.

Jeanne has worked with students who experience anxiety, depression, assault and abuse, trauma, racial and cultural concerns, developmental and life transition issues, and understanding their roles in groups and systems.  In 2017, Jeanne took up an administrative role but continues to enjoy working directly with students as her schedule permits.