Counseling services provide support for people struggling with mental, emotional, or social concerns as well as normal life transitions. Counselors with training in psychology and human development facilitate one-on-one sessions and small group sessions. Counseling services may also include crisis management, mental health outreach, workshops, and community referrals. They can connect individuals to local support groups, recovery programs, and specializations like medicine management.

A Safe Space

McNally Smith students, faculty, and staff members are welcome in the counseling office regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, creed, age, or ability. Counseling services are confidential, within the limits defined by the American Counseling Association (www.counseling.org).

Who Goes to Counseling?

People often seek counseling when they need support or when they simply want time to focus on themselves. Mental illness, unexpected crises, and life changes do not discriminate, and neither does counseling. Individuals, couples, and families sometimes seek support to work through transitions big and small. A few things counselors may help with include:

Why Not Just Talk with My Friends?

Friends and family members can provide immense amounts of support for us, but they are rarely unbiased in their opinions and advice. Counseling is unique from other interactions because it is a relationship built on neutral ground without personal history or preconceived notions.

How Much Does It Cost?

Counseling services are available at no charge to enrolled McNally Smith students and will not bill through your health insurance.

Is Counseling Private?

Counseling services are confidential, within the limits defined by the American Counseling Association (www.counseling.org).

How Do I Schedule an Appointment?

Appointments can be made by directly contacting a counselor or the Administrative Assistant for the Office of Student Affairs by email at joel.cooper@mcnallysmith.edu, by telephone at 651.361.3426, or by stopping by the office.

Counseling appointments currently take place during the following hours:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Counseling Services Staff

Sarah A. Souder Johnson, M.Ed., LPC
sarah.johnson@mcnallysmith.edu
651.361.3422

Sarah Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master of Education degree in Human Development Counseling from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Olaf College. She believes that mental instability can lead to physical illness and impede healthy functioning. She approaches therapy through a person-centered, developmental framework, and each counseling session develops according to the client’s needs. Sarah also holds licenses in K-12 school counseling and vocal music education and is certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Emily Gary, M.Ed., NCC
emily.gary@mcnallysmith.edu
651.361.3426

Emily Gary is a Nationally Certified Counselor who specializes in working with adolescents and young adults. She has both a B.A. in Human & Organizational Development and a M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling from Vanderbilt University. She views therapy as a collaborative process between client and counselor through which a client can learn new ways of viewing the world, relationships, and the self. Above all she strives to create a safe environment where every client can feel both supported and challenged to grow. Emily also has previous experience working in the music industry.