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Behavioral Health & Wellness Counseling
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Behavioral Health & Wellness Counseling

Behavioral Health & Wellness Counseling services provides individual, couple and group counseling, as well as referral and consultation services for residential students (ATSU-ASHS, ATSU-ASDOH, ATSU-KCOM, ATSU-MOSDOH, and ATSU-SOMA). Online students (ATSU-CGHS) can find a list of national resources and referral information for mental health/substance use counseling as well as intimate partner violence. Online students are also encouraged to utilize their health insurance benefits or employer’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), if available.

In a crisis or emergency? Thinking about suicide?

If you or someone you know is in a crisis and need an immediate response, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255 or dial 911 for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a network of over 160 local agencies.

  • Resources for residential students +

    • SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A COUNSELOR NOW

      Missouri campus

      Emergency: 800.356.5395 (Mark Twain Behavioral Health) or dial 911
      Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (other times as arranged)
      Location: Gutensohn Osteopathic Health and Wellness Clinic, room 304

      Sarah Thomas, MSW, LCSW
      Behavioral Health & Wellness Counselor
      Phone: 660.626.2751

      Schedule an appointment with Sarah

      Sarah Thomas, MSW, LCSW, received her bachelor’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia (2003) and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri-Columbia (2005). She became a licensed clinical social worker in 2005.

      Arizona campus

      Emergency: 602.222.9444 (Crisis Response Network) or dial 911
      Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Other times as arranged)
      Location: 5845 Building, suite 213


      Art Davalos-Matthews, MA, LPC NCC
      Behavioral Health & Wellness Counselor
      Phone: 480.219.6170

      Schedule an appointment with Art

      Art Davalos-Matthews, MA LPC, received a bachelor of science degree in mass communication from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse (1985), a diploma in practical nursing from the Cape Girardeau (MO) Vocational School of Nursing (1994), and a master of arts in community counseling from Southeast Missouri State University (1999). He has also worked in intensive outpatient programs, community agencies, private practice, and higher education academic advising and learning support.

      Services for residential students: All services are provided free of charge for ATSU students and their significant spouse or partner. Counseling is a confidential service. Anything you say to a counselor and/or the fact that you used this service will not be disclosed to other persons or agencies without your consent, within legal and ethical limitations. No information about counseling goes on your academic record. Mental health wellness counseling can also assist students in locating resources and other services specific to their needs available on campus or, when off-campus, in their communities.

      ATSU counselors adhere to the ethical code of the American Counseling Association or the National Association of Social Workers depending on each counselor’s license and professional association.

  • Resources for ATSU employees +

    • ATSU Behavioral Health & Wellness Counseling supports the general student body by designing and implementing presentations, programs, and workshops on a wide variety of wellness topics. Faculty or staff looking for personal support services for themselves should contact ATSU’s human resources for information about EAP access and available counseling benefits.

  • What is professional counseling? +

    • Professional counseling has been defined as: “a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. Counselors work with clients on strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they are facing.”

      Counseling as an activity most closely resembles a conversation with a trusted friend or mentor who helps the client explore what prompted them to seek support, their personal history and current situation, and the ways in which they may be feeling, thinking, and/or behaving (the symptoms they may be experiencing right now).

      Techniques used in counseling

      • Provide information and education on mental health and wellness
      • Assess and enhance coping skills
      • Assess and enhance effective communication skills
      • Practice cognitive and behavioral interventions for enhanced wellness
      • Process grief and loss
      • Facilitate communication in relationships and mediate conflicts

      Counseling promotes educational success
      ATSU Behavioral Health & Wellness Counseling can play a critical role in maximizing a student’s educational success and getting the most out of their education by:

      • Helping students to prevent and eliminate barriers to learning
      • Helping to equip students with the personal and social skills they need to lead healthy, balanced, successful lives
      • Resolving emotional and personal issues that interfere with academic success

      Counseling improves overall wellness

      Throughout the lifespan, there are times when people may need help addressing problems and issues that cause emotional distress or overwhelm. ATSU Mental Health & Wellness Counselors offer caring, expert assistance during these difficult times. Professional counselors help address:

      • Stress, anxiety, and panic
      • Disruptions in mood, like depression
      • Alcohol and substance misuse
      • Family and relationship issues
      • Trauma recovery
      • Body image, eating, and coping strategies
      • Living with a disability or illness
      • Grief and loss
      • Adapting to life transitions

  • Confidentiality +

    • Everything discussed during counseling sessions is kept confidential. ATSU’s mental health wellness counselors are required by law to abide by state-mandated rules of confidentiality.

      No member of ATSU’s faculty, staff, or student body will be informed that you are receiving mental health wellness counseling, nor have access to your files without your explicit, written consent.

      Confidentiality applies to all students even if the student has been mandated for counseling. Mandated students are asked to sign a release allowing ATSU’s mental health wellness counselors to report treatment compliance to the appropriate referring person.

      Exceptions to confidentiality:

      Your right to confidentiality does not apply in the following situations:

      • Any report or suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child or incapacitated adult
      • Any report of suicidal thoughts with intent to follow through
      • Any report of homicidal thoughts with intent to follow through
      • Any state of grave disability

      Legal confidentiality does not apply in criminal or delinquency proceedings.