Health and wellbeing are crucial to one’s qualify of life, and mental health is no exception. Learn about free resources and tools available to Northwest students.
CounselingYou can call Wellness Services at 660.562.1348, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm to request a consultation with a counselor. During your consultation, your counselor will work with you to create a stepped care plan to help you meet your goals. |
Peer Wellness CoachingYou can call Wellness Services at 660.562.1348, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm to request a consultation with a counselor. During your consultation, your counselor will refer you to a coach who can best meet your needs. |
Crisis ServicesIf you are in crisis, you can request to meet with a triage counselor at Wellness Services during business hours. After hours, please call the 24/7 Support Line at 988 or text HOME to 741741. |
If you are in crisis, you can request to meet with a triage counselor at Wellness Services during business hours. After hours, please:
Counselors are here to help you navigate all of life's challenges, no matter what you're going through at the moment. For students enrolled in traditional on-campus classes, support is available at no additional cost to you. Students enrolled in one of Northwest's Online Professional programs can opt-in to receive Counseling Services each semester (visit THIS PAGE for more details). Schedule your consultation and immerse yourself in a safe, judgement-free zone.
When to See a Counselor:
Kristen graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with both her bachelor’s degree in psychology/sociology and her master’s degree in counseling psychology. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, her therapy interests include working in the areas of LGBTQIA+, women’s issues, relationship dynamics, AD/HD, and personal growth. Outside of work Kristen enjoys reading, spending time in her art studio, taking walks with her dogs, enjoying time with family and friends, and traveling with her partner.
Kendra received both her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has experience in working with anxiety/depression, life phase adjustment challenges, and maternal mental health. In her free time, Kendra enjoys spending time with her family, drinking a warm cup of coffee, and playing golf.
Rachel received her undergraduate degrees in psychology and alcohol and drug studies from Missouri Valley College and earned her master’s degree in professional counseling from Lindenwood University. Rachel has been working in Higher Education since 2008. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a trained EMDR therapist. Rachel’s therapy interests include alcohol and substance abuse counseling, career counseling, and issues related to anxiety and depression. During her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling.
Terra received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Missouri State University and her M.A. in Counseling and Guidance with an emphasis in Couples and Families from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Terra has experience as a case manager working with children and families. As a counselor, Terra has worked in community mental health, a domestic violence center, and a university counseling center. She is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor with therapeutic interests in individual counseling, couples & family counseling, domestic violence, body image/eating disorders, women’s issues, diversity issues, and anxiety/depression.
Mark received his bachelor's in education and his M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from Northwest Missouri State University. Mark has worked in the middle school setting for the past 9 years and has provided comprehensive school-based services including crisis intervention, curriculum, and individual brief counseling. He is currently a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor. As a counselor, Mark's focus is to support individuals as they navigate their experiences and promote mental health through a variety of counseling services. In his free time, Mark likes spending time with family and friends, playing soccer, watching his favorite sports, and traveling.
Hello! I'm Amber Sandlin, the Wellness Services Case Manager at Northwest. I have the privilege of overseeing the Peer Wellness Coach program and supporting our counselors with their daily tasks. Currently, I'm pursuing my Master's degree in School Counseling, having previously completed my undergraduate studies here in Human Services. Last year, I interned as a Peer Wellness Coach so I’m looking forward to using my experiences as guidance for the current coaches. Outside of work and school, I enjoy quality time with friends and family, reading a good book, and playing board games. I'm excited for the school year and eager to see Wellness Services grow as we continue to foster a more mental health-friendly campus.
Peer Wellness Coaching is designed to help individual students through intentional goal setting and peer support. Peer Wellness Coaches meet with students on a one-on-one basis on a topic of their choice. The position of a Peer Wellness Coach represents a wide variety of responsibilities. Some functions of a coach include: leading and growing the Wellness Education and Prevention program, assisting and joining fellow students in their daily lives, and offering awareness and resources to combat common challenges. The Peer Wellness Coaches that are entrusted with this opportunity to serve their peers are people that bestow high communication skills and strive to live a well-balanced life.
Counseling is covered in your tuition and fees. There is no additional cost for counseling visits.
There is no limit to the amount of times you can see a counselor. Your counselor will discuss recommended treatment options at your initial consultation.
Frequency of appointments is decided with your counselor, based on severity of symptoms, goals, and availability of additional resources.
Counseling services are confidential except for the following:
Your initial appointment will be made based on schedule availability. After your initial consultation, you can continue meeting with the same counselor or request to meet with a different counselor. Occasionally, your initial counselor will refer you to another counselor due to level of fit or specialty areas.
Typically, students are seen for their initial appointment within 7-10 days. If you are in crisis, you can call Wellness Services at (660) 562-1348, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, to speak with the triage counselor. If it is after-hours, you can call the 24/7 Support Line at (888) 279-8188 or text HOME to 741741
Counseling is completely voluntary and you can stop attending at any time. It is recommended to let your counselor know if you no longer wish to continue counseling.
Yes, most students report feeling better or noticing improvement within four sessions.
