Counseling
Oglethorpe University Counseling Center
The Counseling Center offers individual counseling, consultation, and referral services at no cost to Oglethorpe University students.
Students who want to meet with a counselor are encouraged to schedule an initial consultation to discuss their specific needs. Students seeking counseling services for the summer need to be enrolled in summer classes. Please read the Initial Consultation and Attendance Guidelines below before scheduling your initial consultation.
Office Hours
- Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Walk-in Hours
- Monday 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday – Friday 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Petrel After-Hours Support Services (PASS)
The Counseling Center has expanded our services to offer additional after-hours support through the Petrel After-Hours Support Services (PASS). PASS is a service of the Counseling Center in addition to the services provided during our regular business hours M-F 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Through PASS, students can receive after-hours mental health crisis support and talk to a counselor by calling the main counseling Center number at 404-364-8456.
- Faculty and staff can also call the main counseling center number at 404-364-8456 after hours if concerned about a student.
The Oglethorpe Counseling Center will continue to provide walk-in, informal, and confidential consultations this semester during our new walk-in hours. The brief consultations are not formal psychotherapy and will last up to 30 minutes. During the consultation, the counselor will listen and provide you with feedback, support, and recommendations for resources.
A brief consultation is a good option for students who:
- Have a concern about a friend and want feedback on what to do next (if an emergency call 911)
- Are not interested in ongoing counseling but want support and a counselor’s perspective
- Are unsure about counseling and if it is a good fit for them
- Have a specific problem (i.e., academic concerns) and would like to talk with a counselor
Note: We are not able to provide supportive documentation for Accessibility Services or other departments during the brief consultation.
To schedule your initial consultation, select from the open time slots according to your availability. Provide your accurate OU email address when you sign up for an initial consultation to receive important information from our office. Please plan for your virtual appointment to take 60 minutes. The first 10-15 minutes will involve completing initial paperwork online, followed by meeting with the counselor.
We understand unanticipated situations can arise. If you are unable to attend your initial consultation due to an illness or emergency, please notify us as far in advance as possible, at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. By responsibly rescheduling or canceling your appointment, you give the opportunity for that time to be offered to a fellow student who would benefit from an earlier appointment.
Our goal is to meet the high demand for services and allow for access of services by all students. As such, if you have two cancellations or no-shows for an intake appointment, you will be asked to consult with the Director or designee, before scheduling subsequent appointments. Please keep in mind counseling appointments should be viewed as important as any other medical appointments. Ongoing services may be terminated if you have repeated cancellations or no shows.
Limits of Confidentiality:
There are some situations in which Counseling Center staff are legally obligated to take action to protect others from harm. If we have reason to believe that a child, elderly person, or a disabled adult is being abused, we are required by law to report this. If there is a serious threat of harm to you or another person, we are required by law to take protective actions.
We encourage students to contact us to discuss counseling needs as soon as possible, especially freshmen who have been receiving services in high school.
FAQs
The generic term “counseling” often refers to individual therapy, when a client meets with a trained professional to get help with problems. Sometimes, that is what counseling is about.
Counseling is not just about problems. The Counseling Center provides a confidential space for you to discuss whatever is on your mind. It is a place where you can speak to a caring adult with special training and experience in assisting others and be assured the conversations will be private. Your counselor will not speak to other faculty, staff, or students about your participation in counseling. If you are at least 18 years old, your counselor will not speak to your parents without your permission.
All students enrolled at Oglethorpe and currently residing in Georgia may use Counseling Center services.
Consultation is available for faculty, staff, and parents who are concerned about a currently enrolled Oglethorpe student.
All Counseling Center services are free.
- Relationship issues
- Personal growth
- Identity exploration
- Body image issues
- Low self-confidence
- Depression and anxiety
- Controlling the use of alcohol and other drugs
- Adjustment to college
- Academic difficulties and career indecision
- Grief
- Assault/rape or other trauma
Celebrating Diversity
Oglethorpe University Counseling Center is dedicated to providing culturally affirming services to the OU community, serving all students in a manner that supports their inherent dignity, worth, and value. We strive to create an atmosphere of openness and safety, where diverse attitudes, beliefs and values can be explored. We work to educate ourselves on issues related to power, privilege, institutionalized oppression and discrimination. We recognize that issues related to diversity influence students’ mental health and personal growth and we strive to help students grow and flourish in an inclusive environment where diversity is embraced and celebrated. As professional mental health therapists, we take active steps to be culturally self-aware and to challenge our own biases. We embrace this learning as an ongoing, ever-evolving process and welcome feedback individually and to the Counseling Center as a whole when we are not living up to these ideals.
Meet our counselors
Michelle K. Lyn, Ph.D. (she, her, hers)
Licensed Psychologist
Director, Counseling Center
Michelle K. Lyn, Ph.D., (she, her, hers) is a licensed psychologist with work experience in a variety of clinical settings including Private Practice, Collegiate Mental Health, and Veterans’ Affairs. Dr. Lyn earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia, her master’s degree from the University of Missouri–Columbia and her bachelor’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana. In addition to providing direct services to students, Dr. Lyn oversees the daily operations of the center, serves on several committees across campus, and consults with faculty and staff on mental health issues. Dr. Lyn specializes in cultural diversity, identity development, women’s issues, relationship issues, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Her other professional activities and interests include scholarly writing and presenting at local and national conferences.
LaRonda Hollis, LPC, CPCS-GA
Assistant Director, Counseling Center
LaRonda Hollis, LPC (she, her, hers) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Assistant Director of the Counseling Center. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings including Collegiate Mental Health, community clinics, residential facilities, and non-profit organizations. She received bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Women’s Studies from the University of Georgia, and earned her master’s degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University – Atlanta. Ms. Hollis is a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS-GA) and practices an integrative approach to counseling that utilizes cognitive behavioral, holistic, interpersonal, and social justice informed theories. Ms. Hollis specializes in women’s issues, identity development, multicultural issues, depression, relationship issues, crisis intervention, and clinical case management.
Serey B. Bright, Ph.D., LPC, CPCS-GA
Serey B. Bright, Ph.D., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Auburn University. Dr. Bright is also a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS-GA). She has extensive clinical experience working in both in-patient and outpatient counseling settings including psychiatric departments, community mental health, college counseling centers, and private practice. Dr. Bright provides counseling services at the center that support culturally informed care. Dr. Bright’s responsibilities incorporate individual and group therapy, crisis support, wellness programming and psychoeducation. Dr. Bright works to address a range of psychological and relational needs including depression, anxiety, grief, relationship conflict, low self-esteem and life adjustment issues.
Byron Kellam, MA, LPC, CPCS
Staff Therapist (part-time)
Byron Kellam, a native of South Fulton, received a Master of Arts in Counseling from Clark Atlanta University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Stetson University. At Stetson, he was a three-year letterman on the basketball team. Mr. Kellam has extensive clinical experience in individual therapy, family therapy, group counseling and consultation. For the past seventeen years, as a Professional School Counselor in the Fulton County School System, Byron Kellam has served as a source of strength, guidance, and support to thousands of youth. He also maintains a private practice in Atlanta with a focus on teenagers and young adults. He presently serves on the Cam Newton Foundation Board of Directors and Psychological Assessment Committee-United Methodist Church/North Georgia.
Welcome Graduate Interns!
We are excited to welcome graduate interns to the counseling center! The counseling center is a training site where doctoral-level trainees work with OU students under the supervision of our licensed mental health clinicians. Your initial consultation will be with a licensed clinician, but you may ultimately work with a graduate intern on an ongoing basis.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-364-8456
IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 911
Call Campus Safety at 404-504-1998 when it's safe to do so.
Mental Health Crisis Hotlines
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741
Georgia Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ students: 1-866-488-7386
