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Commencement Information

Find out more about Commencement 2025: /cottey-commencement/

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Counseling Services

The Counseling office is located in the Student Wellness Center west of Robertson Hall and is designed to offer counseling services and programs to assist students in realizing their potential in all aspects of college life. Licensed therapists are available to provide counseling services, including confidential short-term individual counseling for students experiencing personal, academic, or adjustment problems.

The Counseling Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule an appointment, contact Kim Cunningham at ext. 2157.

Please indicate if your needs are urgent to obtain immediate assistance. In case of emergency, call the Counseling Office at extension 2157 during work hours. After hours, call your hall director, resident assistant, or peer listener to arrange for emergency counseling services.

91³Ô¹ÏÍø has a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program for those individuals who are in need of assistance. If you are a student, please call Kim Cunningham at ext. 2157 to make a confidential appointment with a member of the Cottey counseling staff. Following an assessment, further treatment recommendations will be made if indicated. The information is kept confidential, and students may seek assistance without any repercussions.

Faculty, administration, and staff may call Human Resources at ext. 2103 for further information. Student and staff involvement has continued to be an important key in reaching our goal of early identification and intervention to assist students and employees experiencing alcohol and drug problems. A hard copy of the policy is available by contacting Kim Cunningham at ext. 2157.

Safety and Referral Protocol

Links to Other Resources

The following links provide information and resources including signs, symptoms, and treatment options for depression and suicide.

Abuse Prevention

Suicide Prevention





Coping With Losing a Loved One to Suicide

The National Eating Disorders Association is dedicated to increasing the awareness and prevention of eating disorders with education of signs, symptoms and treatment of eating disorders.

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

Rehab Centers in Missouri

ProjectKnow Understanding Addiction and Seeking Help

College drinking-changing the culture; alcohol-related facts

Alcohol screening tool

Addiction Center: Preventing Substance Abuse in College

Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights

Smokefree Women

American Cancer Society | Great American Smokeout

The Missouri Tobacco Quitline

An online resource center for college mental health and emotional well-being.

This site provides tools for a successful college career, including healthy eating, anxiety, mental health, relationship abuse, smoking, and other health topics.

National Alliance on Mental Illness – mental health education and resources

Student Health and Wellness Guide

Fact Sheets

Student Athlete Mental Health Resources

Domestic Violence Help Guide: 

Domestic Violence Resource Library: 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: 

Feminist Majority Foundation: 

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Womans Law: 

Financial Support for Women Experiencing Domestic Violence:

Common Questions

Appointments are made by calling Kim Cunningham at extension 2157 or by coming to the Counseling Office. The office phone is answered daily from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Students are offered appointments within two or three days from the time they call.

Unlimited counseling is free to all students while attending 91³Ô¹ÏÍø.

No. Students are encouraged to come in to discuss any personal concerns they might have. Some students do have more serious issues, and the counselors are accustomed to dealing with a wide range of problems.

No. The Counseling Office considers it essential that confidentiality be strictly maintained. Furthermore, our professionals are bound by state statute and professional ethics to maintain confidentiality, except in a serious psychiatric emergency. It is the student’s decision whether or not to discuss her decision to participate in counseling with family, friends, and College personnel.

Most students feel apprehensive about counseling because they do not know what to expect, and they wonder what it means about them that they need help. However, students generally become comfortable quickly and experience their appointments as helpful and productive.

Call the Counseling Office at extension 2157 during work hours. After hours, call your hall director, resident assistant, or peer listener to arrange for emergency counseling services.

The peer listeners are second-, third-, or fourth-year students who are volunteers and have been trained as a member of the Peer Empowerment Program (PEP). They have received extensive training prior to the beginning of school by the counselors. They are trained in issues including communication, conflict resolution, listening skills, mental health issues, stress management, diversity, and other issues. Peer listeners are available in each residence hall.