Student Life

Counseling Services

What is Bethel Counseling Services?

Our services exist to provide the student community with a range of professional counseling and consultation options. Our goal is to promote personal wholeness, specifically in the areas of personal and/or relational difficulty, which might interfere with students' academic or vocational goals.

What does Counseling Services offer students?

We are available to assist students in their growth by encouraging realistic self-assessment; intellectual development; appropriate personal and occupational decisions; the ability to relate meaningfully and mutually with others; and the capacity to engage in a satisfying, effective, and spiritually sound style of living.

What kinds of services are offered?

Our staff provides counseling for individuals, couples (including roommate situations), and groups. If desired and workable, we also can meet with a student and his or her family. We provide consultation on a variety of types of issues related to fullness in living. Students, for example, may meet to discuss concerns about a roommate's or family member's problems.

Who comes to Counseling Services?

Students who seek counseling are people who are interested in growing and learning more about themselves, their relationships with others, and their relationship with God. Individual counseling often includes assisting students in overcoming current personal and educational concerns. Counseling also can provide a preventive function and help anticipate situations that may hinder one's growth and plan interventions that will be constructive. Examples of issues addressed in counseling are:

self-image
family relationships
relationships (e.g., friends, dating)
anger
anxiety
sexuality
depression
homesickness
eating disorders
health and wellness issues
chemical abuse
sexual abuse
educational goals
career goals
finances
spirituality and faith
learning difficulties
premarital and marital relationships

How confidential is counseling?

As counselors, we make confidentiality a top priority (subject to legal restrictions). People outside of the counseling relationship are not informed of the counseling unless:

the student gives permission to release the information;
a student's behavior poses a threat to his or her safety or the safety of others;
hospitalization is required; or
the counselor needs to consult with another member of the counseling staff regarding a therapeutic issue(s).

In the event that point 2 or 3 is the case, parents or other appropriate parties will be notified. On occasion the student life office may refer a student for counseling. The conditions of the referral will be specified and communicated to the student at that time.

What does counseling cost?

Absolutely nothing. Services are free to Bethel students.

How do I make an appointment?

Students can make an appointment in person at the Counseling Center in Townhouse H or by calling the center at extension 651.635.8540.

Who are the counselors?

The counseling staff includes both men and women with a variety of interests and specialties. Some of the counselors are permanent Bethel faculty or staff members, and others are interns (master's or doctoral students who are completing their counseling degree). We try to honor any preferences students have.

Lara Derksen, M.A., Intern
Individual counseling, personal growth and adjustment, family of origin issues, spirituality and faith issues, interpersonal and relational issues.

Julia Moen, M.S.W., LISW
Women's issues including sexual abuse; individual and group counseling; crisis intervention.

Andy Johnson, Ph.D.
Individual counseling, depression, personal growth and adjustment, life path issues.

Jim Koch, Ph.D., L.P., Director of Counseling Services
Individual, premarital, marital, and family counseling; behavior modification; crisis intervention.

Jason Li, Ph.D., L.P. (fall only)
Developmental issues; separation from family unit; individual, premarital, marital, and international student counseling.

Amy Lary White, M.S.W., L.I.S.W.
Individual and group counseling, depression, anxiety, ADHD, grief, family of origin and relationship issues, anger management, PTSD.

Johnben Loy, MBA, MTS, Ph.D., Intern
Marital and family relationship conflicts, premarital and marital education, depression and anxiety, cross-cultural adjustments, work/family conflicts, male sexual struggles.

Peter Jankowski, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC
Individual and relationship counseling, conflict resolution, spirituality/faith concerns.

Diane Strike, Ph.D.
Individual counseling, group counseling, disability-related issues, grief and loss, life/work balance.

Joy Fleming, M.A., M.Div., Psy.D., Intern
Individual, group and relationship concerns, spirituality, cross-cultural issues, grief and loss.

Ju-Ping Huang, M.A., Ph.D., Intern
Individual counseling, gender issues, interpersonal and relationship issues, anxiety, depression, bipolar and eating issues, sexual assault/abuse, cultural adjustment, career exploration, crisis intervention.

Heather A. Strand, M.A., Intern
Anxiety, grief, crisis intervention, gerontology, physical/emotional abuse, cultural adjustment issues, and spiritual concerns.

Joyce Stumpf Willman, M.A., Intern
Individual and group counseling, depression, spirituality, self-identity, premarital and marital education including family of origin issues.

Karen Leigh, Staff Assistant