Emily Benson MA, LCPC

After living on campus for four years as an undergraduate student here at Olivet, Emily began her Masters of Professional Counseling Degree and graduated in May 2012. She has served the students of Olivet in several capacities from working as a resident assistant for three years and in the admissions office for seven years.  Emily joined the Olivet Counseling and Health Services Department in 2011 as an intern and then joined the team the next year as a part-time staff therapist. She has worked part-time at Olivet for 10 years and recently accepted a new full-time role as Assistant Director of Counseling Services. In the past, Emily has worked with adolescents and adult populations through private practice and on this campus through individual services, groups, and various outreach projects. She has really come to love working with college students during this unique time in their lives and is ecstatic to continue working here at Olivet in this new role.

Emily believes counseling is a collaborative effort between her and her clients. Therefore, she works with her clients to come up with their own goals and objectives for counseling. To do this, Emily encourages a warm and non-judgmental environment where clients can feel comfortable to be themselves and work through their issues. She understands there are many pressures/stressors throughout college and it can be difficult to face those alone, so she works with clients to build a support system. Emily also enjoys using practical resources and examples within the counseling session to help promote change and work towards her client’s goals.

Outside of the office, Emily loves spending time with her husband and three young children ages 9, 7, and 5. You may see them eating in the cafeteria or cheering on the ONU tigers at events on campus. She enjoys road trips to visit her family in Michigan and Virginia. Emily also enjoys reading, walking, riding her bike, and cheering on her kids’ during all of their various activities.