Cook Named Director of Counseling and Wellness
Bluefield College welcomed Emily Cook this fall as the new director of the Center for Counseling and Wellness.
Cook is no stranger to Bluefield College. In 2012, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English with teacher licensure from BC before earning a master’s degree in education from Liberty University. Cook served several years as a counselor at Graham High School before making her way back to her alma mater to help students with their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
BC’s newly established Wellness Center opened in the spring of 2019, and since becoming the director this fall Cook has made it a priority to be available to students, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am able to connect, meet, and offer programming through online platforms, such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom,” Cook said about the challenges of meeting students’ needs during the pandemic. “Students who may not have felt comfortable talking with someone face-to-face are now able to use the online option, and we can meet virtually.”
Cook said the ability to meet virtually with students in isolation or quarantine has been “a great blessing” and has allowed her to be accessible and flexible. During her time with students she said she strives to provide encouragement. To do that, she said she leans on her faith and has had to take a break from media coverage of the pandemic to create a safe space of her own. She said she is guided by the mantra, “I am not in control, but I know who is.”
“Emily has been a COVID-19 champion,” said BC’s Josh Arnold, vice president of Student Development who applauded Cook’s dedication during the stressful time of the pandemic. “She is regularly checking in with students to ensure that they receive a high level of care and support while in quarantine or isolation.”
In her role as director of the Counseling and Wellness Center, Cook has made it a priority to create a healthy and positive environment on campus for all BC students. Katie Morton, a BC resident hall director, is one person who is particularly thankful for the center and its services.
“This is my third year as the RHD, and I have met with countless students about struggles that are going on in their lives,” Morton said, “and to bring a counseling and wellness program to Bluefield is an answer to prayer.”
The services provided by the Counseling and Wellness Center include:
- individual (one-on-one) counseling
- group counseling
- career counseling
- crisis counseling
- substance use counseling.
The center can also provide assessment and referral services to area mental health services providers. This month, Cook is offering daily wellness activities to help students and employees with self-care. Over time she said she hopes to “increase exposure and awareness of counseling services and wellness programming.”
“I hope that I can combat the mental health stigma and normalize prioritizing mental health,” she said. “I hope that I can be an advocate for all students as well as an agent of change for social justice.”
Counseling and Wellness Center hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Students who are interested in services available may email Cook at ecook@bluefield.edu to set up a time for a session.