Counselor education faculty named director of campus counseling center

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Dr. LaCretisha McDole, faculty specialist in Western Michigan University's Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, has been named the clinic director of WMU's Center for Counseling and Psychological Services in Kalamazoo.

The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services provides practical training opportunities for graduate students by offering affordable mental health services to residents of southwestern Michigan. Graduate student counselors are supervised by faculty members who are professional counselors or psychologists. The center is also free to Western students interested in counseling services.

McDole says she looks forward to growing the center's partnerships with campus departments and organizations to attract a larger more diverse population of clients. Also, she says she welcomes the opportunity to return to a more hands-on role when working with graduate student counselors.

"In the classroom, we can talk about how you meet with clients and applying the foundational counseling skills. But now on the other side, I get to actually help and supervise students in applying those skills with actual clients," says McDole. 

LaCretisha McDole

McDole joined the counselor education and counseling psychology department at Western as a faculty specialist and clinical coordinator in the fall of 2022. A three-time alumnus of WMU, McDole earned her PhD in counselor education and supervision. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Limited Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LLMFT) in the state of Michigan. Prior to joining the faculty, she served in various positions in career services and student affairs in higher education.

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