Embedded Counselors Bring New Level Of Care To Aggies

College can be overwhelming at times for students, but help is available and may even be closer than you think. Texas A&M University Health Services (UHS) has embedded counselors who work within colleges, schools and departments, aiming to establish a “community of care” for Aggies.

With Mental Health and Suicide Awareness Week under way, we checked in with some of the professionals behind the effort.

No Aggie Stands Alone. Find help at mentalhealth.tamu.edu.

Dr. Nancy Fahrenwald, UHS associate vice president, explains the embedded approach.

“Embedded mental health therapists are situated within locations across the university, such as a college, library, or other service area that is comfortable to students and where the therapist can become more deeply engaged with the population,” she said. “Embedded counselors also have connections with faculty and staff, helping to upskill our community to better support students.”

The commitment, Fahrenwald said, is to “establish Texas A&M as a community of care, using a public health model for mental health and well-being. Caring for our community is about reaching people where they are, developing systems of support, and making resources more accessible to students.”

Between the College Station, Fort Worth and McAllen campuses, there are currently 11 embedded counselors in academic units and University Libraries, and one in the University Police Department. Fahrenwald said she anticipates 16 new embedded counselors to be in place by 2026

Meeting Students Where They Are

Embedded therapists not only help students in varied locations and contexts, they also tailor programs and discussions in hopes of creating an environment more supportive of overall student well-being.

At the Harrington Byrne Student Success Center in the School of Education and Human Development, students can speak with Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) Joycelyn Anderson who says since the embedded program makes support more accessible, the convenience alone encourages more students to seek help when needed.

“Embedded counselors can also provide ongoing support and follow-up care, establishing a consistent relationship with students over time,” Anderson said. “This continuity fosters trust and allows counselors to better understand students’ needs.”

Stress and anxiety are what she’s seeing most in the students who seek her services, Anderson says. Additionally, there are issues common in fields where professionals help others, like education. “Individuals in the helping professions are at increased risk for high levels of exhaustion, compassion fatigue, depleted capacity and secondary traumatic stress, all of which could lead to burnout,” she said.

LPC-S Angela McDonald is embedded in the College of Arts and Sciences, operating out of the Academic Building. She said she’s excited to be serving a college student population, as well as administrative leaders, to improve mental health and well-being. Read more from McDonald and college leaders on their support efforts.

The full roster of embedded counselors, as of this date, are:

Joycelyn Anderson, licensed professional counselor-supervisor, School of Education and Human Development, Harrington Tower
Tyler Baker-Wilkinson, licensed marriage and family therapist; and Abbie Satterfield, licensed professional counselor-supervisor, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, VIDI
Dr.Maame Esi Coleman, licensed psychologist, Office for Student Success, Hotard Hall
Molly McCann, licensed professional counselor-supervisor, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Biochemistry/Biophysics
Megan McCarty, licensed professional counselor-supervisor, mental health co-responder, University Police Department
Angela McDonald, licensed professional counselor-supervisor, College of Arts and Sciences, Academic Building
Christy McDonald, licensed professional counselor-supervisor, School of Law, Fort Worth
Carmen Mota, licensed professional counselor-supervisor, College of Engineering, Zachry
Sandra Olshak, licensed professional counselor, University Libraries, Evans
Claraly Peña-Leal, licensed professional counselor-supervisor, Higher Education Center at McAllen
Dr. Esther Wright, licensed psychologist, Graduate and Professional School, Nagle Hall

Additionally, UHS officials say an embedded office is in the search phase for the School of Dentistry in Dallas.

Need Support Now?

TELUS Health Student Support app
24/7 access to professional counseling in multiple languages via app, telephone and web
After hours HelpLine
Weekdays 4 p.m.-8 a.m. and weekends around the clock when school is in session
During normal business hours, students can attend individual or group counseling.

Visit mentalhealth.tamu.edu for a comprehensive list of student resources.