New victim support counselor offers help to students

Missouri State University has added a new victim support counselor Jane Henke to the Counseling Center on campus. This position focuses on victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking among the Missouri State student population.

“We are so fortunate to have this new position here at the MSU Counseling Center,” Rhonda Lesley, director of the Counseling Center, said.

Jane Henke, a licensed professional counselor, is a trauma specialist. Henke joined the Missouri State University Counseling Center as the victim services and advocacy specialist in March of 2018. Her position will help serve students impacted by sexual assault, domestic/dating violence and stalking.

“I am incredibly passionate about providing care for those who have had their lives disrupted by trauma,” Henke said. “I am especially passionate about working with LGBTQ+ students, international students, students with disabilities and other historically underrepresented groups, as those students experience interpersonal violence at higher rates and are, sadly, less likely to seek out assistance.”

Henke’s new position came to be through the Title IX office on campus by the efforts of Jill Patterson, MSU’s Title IX Coordinator. The new Project HEAL (Help, Educate, Advocate, Listen) grant was awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, which is part of the Department of Justice. Project HEAL is a three-year community-wide effort to decrease sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking through prevention, treatment and advocacy.

The grant funds a project coordinator, Kunti Bentley, and a therapist, Jane Henke.

With treatment, students who have been impacted by these problems will be able to receive help by putting them on the right path to continue on with their everyday lives.

“I am so excited and proud that we now have Jane, a therapist with an expertise in working with people who have been traumatized by interpersonal violence,” Patterson said. “It is a feeling of relief when we refer someone to Jane to know that they are receiving high-quality, specialized care.”

Another addition to the Counseling Center is a Relaxation Station.

Lesley said the soon-to-be-opened Relaxation Station is a private room in the Counseling Center where students can come to unwind through the use of a massage chair, relaxation apps and have an opportunity to recline in a peaceful space, comfortable chair and practice deep breathing to calm their nervous system and settle their mind. A soothing fountain, kinetic sand tray, yoga mats and bolsters will also be available.

Students who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder may also use the SunRay II ™ light box, a therapy lamp that helps ease symptoms of SAD by exposing someone to artificial light that mimics natural light, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The Relaxation Station will be available after Labor Day to students in half-hour increments throughout the day between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students who schedule to use the room will not be considered clients of the Counseling Center and may contact the Counseling Center by calling 417-836-5116.

For more information on Project HEAL, contact Project Coordinator Kunti Bentley at Missouri State University.