Counseling and Mental Health
Licensed Professional Counselors are available to provide WCJC students with short-term, solution-focused counseling and referrals. WCJC Counselors are trained professionals who provide an objective and nonjudgmental setting in which students can discuss any number of concerns, including:
- Stress and anxiety;
- Family or relationship issues;
- Coping with grief or loss;
- Managing academic pressure;
- And other personal or college-related concerns.
Students who need on-going, therapeutic counseling or those cases where concerns beyond the scope of the WCJC counseling services will be referred to an outside agency or professional resource within their community. All costs incurred by those referrals are the responsibility of the student.
Counselors are available to meet with students in person or virtually. To schedule an appointment, email counseling@wcjc.edu or you can contact a specific counselor in the "contact us" section below if you prefer a particular campus.
Contact Us
The counseling relationship provides an environment in which a student can speak freely, privately, and confidentially within the limits of the law. Please contact a WCJC Counselor for assistance or referral. You may also email Counseling@wcjc.edu.
Wharton & Bay City Campuses: Kay Gardner, LPC - GardnerK@wcjc.edu
Richmond Campus: Torey Gilmore, LPC - GilmoreT@wcjc.edu
Sugar Land Campus: Shannon Glardon, LPC - GlardonS@wcjc.edu
Director of Counseling and Disability Services: Amber Barbee, MA, LPC-S - BarbeeA@wcjc.edu.
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911. E-mails and phone numbers may not be checked daily and/or during evening or weekend hours.
Join a Group
All groups start the week of February 6, 2023. You can join a group at any time in
the semester.
Hope & Healing for Grief and Loss - This group is for students to express and explore emotions related to their experiences
of bereavement. It is open to Pioneers who have lost a loved one (family member, friend,
pet). It combines sharing, discussion, support, and activities.
Richmond Campus - Wednesdays at 2:00 PM - Room 219
Stronger Together - This group is for survivors of sexual assault and/or abuse. Goals include helping
members express feelings, reducing guilt and self-blame, and develop positive coping
strategies.
Wharton Campus - Mondays at 3:00 PM - Pioneer Student Center, 2nd floor
Sugar Land Campus - Thursdays at 3:00 PM - Brazos Hall 301A
Out and About (LGBTQ+) - This group provides a supportive, safe, affirming, and confidential space to share experiences and receive feedback. Students explore sexual and gender identity, coming out, and family concerns. Students have an opportunity to learn more about interpersonal relationships in an encouraging environment with other students within the LGBTQIA community.
Wharton Campus - Thursdays at 1:00 PM - Pioneer Student Center, 2nd floor
Richmond Campus - Wednesdays at 12:30 PM - Room 219
Who Am I - Finding Yourself and Understanding Others - This group is for students who need a safe place to express their thoughts and feelings
while receiving and giving back feedback as a collective to increase self-awareness
for connection with others. It helps to foster skills for those who may feel socially
isolated, or have difficulty connecting with others, problems with asserting themselves
in relationships, feeling as if they do not belong, or suffering from excessive self-criticism
from attempting to live up to other’s standards. Members are encouraged to ask for
feedback from others and try out new behaviors to learn more about themselves and
how others might perceive them. The goal is to assist in determining changes that
might improve their connections and interactions with others through exploration of
the self. This group provides a mixture of support and feedback regarding goals individuals
set and how they relate to one another.
Sugar Land Campus - Thursdays at 1:45 PM - Brazos Hall 301A
Art & Soul Group - This group is open for all students, skillful artist or not. Members focus on processing their experiences through creating art and having an outlet for expression. This group helps individuals learn to express who they are and how they are feeling without having to use words. Finding creative hobbies increases self-care and fosters more positive moos, greater interest, reduction in tension and stress, etc. Students will be provided with all supplies and given a safe and supportive environment to openly share their art or their stories in a safe space if they choose.
Richmond Campus - Wednesdays at 11:00 AM, Room 219
Sugar Land Campus - Wednesdays at 11:00 AM, Brazos Hall 301A
Wharton Campus - Mondays at 2:00 PM, Pioneer Student Center, 2nd floor
CALM in the Storm - Are you struggling with depression, bipolar disorder, or another mood disorder?
Have you had suicidal ideation or self-injured? Participants in this group, you will
gain support and learn coping strategies.
Virtual Group - Tuesdays at 2:00 PM
INVEST in Your GPA for Academic Success - Just 30 minutes of Skills and Strategies to improve your GPA!
Virtual Group - March 21 - April 25 - Tuesdays at 3:00 PM.
Counseling Resources and Referral Information:
The following resources provide useful information and tools. They can be accessed any time day or night especially when a counselor is not available. For in-person assistance or referrals see your WCJC Campus Counselor.
Suicide Prevention
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 immediately.
Mental Health/Suicide Prevention Information
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 988
Crisis Intervention Hotlines
Crisis Text Line or call 713-468-5463
National Human Trafficking Hotline or call 1-888-373-7888, TTY: 711
Veteran's Crisis Line or call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1
Trevor Project: LGBTQ crisis and suicide help, 866-488-7386, text 202-304-1200 or chat online
National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-4673
Texana Mental Health Services Crisis Phone 1-800-633-5686
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health Screening: Fort Bend area referral sources as well as free online screenings for depression, bipolar disorder, general anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol abuse.
Texana Mental Health Services: Fort Bend, Wharton, Austin, Colorado and Matagorda counties mental healthcare locator; 281-239-1300
United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast: Searchable database of area-wide community resources for a variety of contacts including mental health, disability, housing, medical, and legal services. Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-833-5948 or 713-957-4357.
Texas Health and Human Services: A state organization that assists people with mental health challenges, substance abuse, foster care, disabilities and families with children who have developmental delays to pursue independent and productive lives. Contact Texas Workforce Commission or Texas Health and Human Services for more specific information as to how they may assist a student in college.
ULifeline.com and HalfofUs.com: Online resources for college students that can help you to learn more about what to do if you or your friends are struggling with mental health issues.
Mental Health.gov: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services resource page regarding mental health and available help.
Al-Anon: Substance abuse help for individuals and family members.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Learn about the many topics that highlight SAMHSA’s efforts to prevent and reduce the impact of mental illness and substance use in America’s communities.
Methodist Hospital Community Support Groups: Grief support, caregiver support, cancer support groups.
Health Resources
Healthy Living - Health Topics from A-Z - learn about diseases and conditions, healthy living, workplace safety, environmental health, global health and more.
Last Updated
