Counseling Services

The counseling center exists to support and empower students through confidential, holistic mental health services. Our full-time licensed professional counselors and part-time master’s level clinicians help students integrate faith, living, and life.

We offer the following short-term counseling services:

Individual, couples, psycho-educational, and group counseling
Crisis intervention
Outreach and prevention programs
Consultation
Internship training for clinical mental health counseling masters students

Contact Us

Current students can schedule an appointment by calling 417-865-2815 ext. 7222 or visit the Wellness Center during operating hours. We are available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday with evening hours for groups and by appointment.

If in crisis during regular office hours, call or visit the counseling center. After hours, please contact your Resident Director or Public Safety (if living on campus), Springfield Police Department, or the local crisis hotline at 1.800.494.7355. The counseling center is closed during academic breaks. Counseling Services can help connect you with possible resources upon request.

Location

The counseling center is located in the Cantrell Student Union within the Wellness Center on the northwest corner of the first floor. We share our waiting area with Health Services and also maintain an annex next door to our primary location that houses counseling offices for interns, a group room and a safe room.

Eligibility and Cost

On campus counseling is available at no cost to currently enrolled traditional undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students, in seated classes, who pay applicable student fees. Spouses of currently enrolled students may attend marriage counseling with their partner, but are ineligible for individual sessions. Counseling Services does not offer individual counseling services to families of currently enrolled students.

Who Receives Counseling Services?

Any eligible student is welcome. Many find that our counselors offer an unconditional, safe environment in which to share life issues, gain perspective, and manage challenges. Some of the more typical issues addressed include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addictive behaviors, academic complications, family conflicts, pre-marital/marital relationships, relationships, etc.

Notice of Non-discrimination

Evangel University Counseling Services adheres to the non-discrimination standards as outlined in the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics. Counseling Services complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws and does not engage in prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin, sex, age, or disability in the provision of services. The university is affiliated with the Assemblies of God and is operated within the Christian-oriented aims and ideals of the denomination.

Confidentiality

Students sometimes feel hesitant to seek counseling services out of concern that parents, teachers, or administrators at Evangel would have access; this is not the case.

All records are confidential and they are NOT part of your academic or administrative records.
Your records and personal history are available to no one, this includes parents, family, police, faculty, or administration unless you provide written consent. No information about your counseling will be released to anyone without your authorization, except under the following circumstances:
- If you are under 18 years of age, your parents or legal guardian(s) may request access to your records and may authorize their release to other parties.
- If you are determined to be in imminent danger of harming yourself or someone else.
- If you disclose abuse or neglect of children, the elderly, or disabled persons.
- Where otherwise legally required.

Meet the Staff

Leah Wilson, MA., LPC-S, Director

Leah Wilson grew up as a Missionary Kid in Jamaica. She holds degrees from Central Bible College and Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, both in counseling. She spent almost 9 years counseling students at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, as well as teaching. She is a licensed professional counselor in the states of Missouri and Texas. She has taught adjunct at Evangel University since 2018 and has served as the Behavioral Health Program Coordinator within the College of Online Learning. She recently had her own private counseling practice and currently is a PLPC clinical supervisor in the state of Missouri. She has specialty training in EMDR, CISM and Prepare Enrich.

Richard Salgado, MA. PLPC, University Counselor

Richard Salgado was raised by immigrant parents from El Salvador, in the Washington D.C. area. His ethnic and cultural background have helped shape him into the counselor he is today. He holds an undergrad (Class of 2013) and master’s degree (class of 2021) from Evangel University, in Psychology and Counseling, respectively. He is currently a PLPC and serves as a staff counselor in the counseling services office. Richard has worked in the public school system for several years and has experience working with students and families. He, along with his wife, serve as lead pastors of Almacen Church, a bilingual (Spanish and English) church in Springfield, Missouri. He has specialty training in Prepare Enrich.

Brittany Thomas, MA, LPC, University Counselor

Brittany Thomas grew up in Ozark, Missouri, before moving to Conway, Missouri, as a teen. Brittany holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in family studies from College of the Ozarks (2019) in addition to a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling from Evangel University (2021). After college, Brittany practiced as a school-based clinician, working primarily with children, adolescents, and families. Additionally, Brittany is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Missouri and has specialty training in Prepare Enrich premarital counseling.

Hailey Henry, MA. PLPC, University Counselor

Hailey attended undergrad at Southwest Baptist University, where she graduated with a degree in Psychology and Counseling. She then earned a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Evangel University. Hailey is a PLPC and serves as a staff counselor in the Counseling Services Department. She is trained in Prepare Enrich and loves helping students as they seek healing, wisdom, and knowledge of themselves and God through the counseling process.

Crystal Bright, Administrative Assistant

Crystal Bright grew up in a military family, primarily in California. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health degree (2022). Her husband and 2 daughters are also graduates of Evangel University. She has been on staff for 18 years, working in the Counseling Services department as the Administrative Assistant since 2018.