Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom

Students share the benefits of embedded mental health counseling services

Pursuing a degree can bring rewarding opportunities, but also overwhelming challenges. Our College offers embedded mental health counseling services via Texas A&M University Health Services to ensure students don’t face those challenges alone. Joycelyn Anderson, Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor at the Marilyn Kent Byrne Student Success Center, supports students in achieving personal and academic success.

“Counseling is caring for our community, reaching people where they are, developing systems of support and tapping into resources that are available,” Anderson said. “What makes embedded mental health counseling services unique is that it helps students access care and builds relationships with faculty and staff, so the community can recognize concerns early and act with compassion.”

Johnna Lee celebrates the first day of class.

For Johnna Lee ‘28, a first-generation doctoral student in educational administration with a focus in higher education administration, balancing academics, personal growth and life’s pressures got the best of her. “When I was doubting why I belonged, I experienced imposter syndrome and questioned whether I was qualified,” Lee reflected. Imposter syndrome refers to a pattern of self-doubt, where students raise the bar for themselves or compare themselves to others.

Through counseling sessions, Lee embraced self-care practices such as journaling and memory-keeping. These healthy habits eased stress and encouraged her to celebrate milestones. “It’s been life-changing since Joycelyn has been helping me believe that I can do anything I put my mind to,” she shared.

Lee also brings what she’s learned into her academic advisor role in the Texas A&M College of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts to set students up for success. “Counseling has shaped me to become more empathetic. I’ve been reminded that growth can be intense, but also healthy. I carry that lesson into how I advise others,” she added.

Bre Morales ‘28, a doctoral student in motor neuroscience, was new to Aggieland and found the transition wasn’t easy. “Academically, I struggled with imposter syndrome. Personally, I didn’t have my support system here,” she recalled. After visiting Texas A&M University Health Services, she was recommended to Anderson. “At first, I was unhappy and thought there was no way to work through it,” Morales said. “But Joycelyn helped me start finding my place here.”

Bre Morales presented her research at the American Society of Biomechanics conference.

By spring of 2025, Morales turned a corner. “I realized I wasn’t taking feedback from my principal investigator personally anymore. Instead of thinking I was not cut out for it, I took the feedback to improve myself,” Morales noted.

Embedded mental health counseling services is more than a support system. It’s what keeps students like Lee and Morales moving forward with confidence and resilience. “You don’t need to have everything figured out to talk with a counselor. The goal is to connect students with the support they need, when and where they need it.” Anderson emphasized.

Morales encourages others to try a few sessions. “Having someone on your side means you don’t have to carry it alone.” Lee adds that if she hadn’t taken that step, she wouldn’t be where she is today. “Now, I’m working toward research that could impact the entire community. That’s something nine-year-old me could only dream of.”

To schedule an appointment or learn more, click on the following link. https://uhs.tamu.edu/.