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Counseling Center

We're Here for You

Part of Campus Community Health at UCM, the Counseling Center offers a variety of free, brief services to enrolled students, and is a safe place to work through any concerns you have about school, relationships, your job, or any other part of your life. 

Feeling stuck, distressed or like you're not functioning as well as you'd like? Our professional and friendly counselors are here to listen, offer guidance, and help you take your own next steps.

Emergency Resources

In a life-threatening emergency do one of these:

  • call 911
  • call UCM Public Safety at 660-543-4123
  • go directly to the closest Emergency Department; in Warrensburg that's Western Missouri Medical Center, 403 Burkarth Rd.

Crisis Resources

In an urgent (but not life-threatening) situation, do one of these:

  • during office hours, call the Counseling Center at 660-543-4060
  • call the 24-hour UCM Crisis and Counseling Support Line at 660-543-8008
  • call 988 or text any message to 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
  • text HOME to 741741, the National Crisis Text Line
  • visit this page for many more suicide prevention and crisis lines

 

New to the Counseling Center?

Call or come in to schedule an initial consultation.

  • Call 660-543-4060 to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment.
  • Starting January 8, 2024, we will be in the Administration building, suite 102.
  • Summer hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30 am-12 noon and 1-4:30 pm.
  • Fall and Spring hours are Monday-Friday 8 am-12 noon and 1-5 pm.
Same-day appointments for crisis/emergency situations are available during all open hours.
 
Note: Counseling Center staff do not prescribe medication or conduct psychological assessments but can provide referrals. If you are seeking an evaluation for medication, please contact the University Health Center to schedule an appointment with a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

 

 

Services for Students

Brief Counseling for Individuals

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. 

Crisis/Emergency Appointments

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

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

What to do if you think another student is suicidal

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.

Workshops

  • 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.

Mental Fitness Online

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

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.

Consulting with a Counselor

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

Referrals

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.

Presentations

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.

Resources for Faculty and Staff

What to do if you think a student is suicidal

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

Consulting with a Counselor

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

Being a healthy body image role model

  • 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.

How to talk about the death of a student or employee

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:

  • DO express your condolences in a way that fits the type of relationship you have with the person in grief

  • DO be honest, genuine, and sincere

  • DO be present and available

  • DO offer practical help

  • DO know that people grieve differently

  • DO listen

  • DO include the person in social plans, and let them decide whether or not to accept an invitation

  • DO respect the grieving person’s privacy

  • DO encourage the grieving person to take care of themselves

  • DON’T be intrusive, overly familiar, or pry

  • DON’T worry that you do not know the perfect thing to say

  • DON’T avoid the grieving person

  • DON’T say clichés such as “at least the person is in a better place”

  • DON’T compare the person’s loss to your own past losses

  • DON’T be afraid of tears or emotions

  • DON’T make assumptions about what the person wants or what is best for them

  • DON’T give advice without being asked

  • DON’T attempt to somehow make their grief go away

Presentations

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.

Meet Our Staff

Janelle Barrett

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

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

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

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

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

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 Woon

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. 

 

 

International Accreditation of Counseling Services logo

We are proud to be accredited through International Accreditation of Counseling Services.
The UCM Counseling Center is the only IACS accredited public university in the state of Missouri.

testimonial

The Counseling Center Mission

The Counseling Center promotes students' psychological wellbeing and development of awareness, knowledge, and skills that impact their success as learners and leaders in their personal lives and in the community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact

Counseling Center
Administration 102
Warrensburg, MO 64093
Tel: (660) 543-4060
Fax: (660) 543-8277

UCM's 24/7 Crisis and Counseling Support Line

660-543-8008

 

Fall & Spring Hours
 

Monday - Friday 8 am - 12 pm and 1-5 pm
____ ____
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

 

Summer Hours
 

Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 am - 12 pm and 1-4:30 pm
____ ____
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

 

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