College can be one of the most exciting periods of a person's life, but let's face it; it can also be an extremely unsettling time, especially for those who are brand-new to the scene and still figuring out how to navigate it all.
That’s why the Concordia University Wisconsin Counseling Center exists. Counseling Center staff members provide caring counsel rooted in God’s Word. Their services are free, confidential, and available to all Concordia students, faculty, and staff.
This year, there are some new faces in the department. Along with Director Dave Enters, MS, ICSW, these three women are eager to be of help. So take a moment to get to know them, and don’t hesitate to reach out!
Christine Jenkins MA, LPC, BC-TMH
Days in office: Monday-Thursday
Phone: 262-243-4456
Email: christine.jenkins@cuw.edu
About Christine
I previously worked at CUW as an adjunct instructor and as a staff member in the counseling center and I’m thrilled to be back!
I received my bachelor’s degree in 1990 and my master’s degree in 1992 from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. My career began in 1992 working within the community mental health system as a counselor, supervisor, and administrator. In 2005, I transitioned to outpatient counseling, which has allowed me extensive experience working with youth, adolescents, and adults. For more than 25 years I have provided individual and group therapy to those experiencing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, adjustment to life challenges, and relationship challenges.
My therapeutic approach is integrative counseling with a solution-focused cognitive-behavioral foundation. I believe that counseling is a collaborative process, with prompt intervention and skill development. We will work together utilizing our combined resources to identify and amplify change.
I look forward to being back on campus and being able to work with students as well as be apart of the CUW family!
Bonnie Halper, LPC, SAC
Days in office: Monday
Phone: 262-243-2068
Email: bonnie.halper@cuw.edu
About Bonnie
For most of my life, I worked in business management. The last 12-plus years of my life, however, have been devoted to the mental health field. Prior to Concordia I worked for the State of Wisconsin with some of our most vulnerable populations. I have also worked in a mental health clinic setting and for a private practice for the last five years. I was trained as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Substance Abuse Counselor. I have a humanistic and client-centered approach, combined with cognitive and dialectical behavioral strategies. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. I have found my multicultural experience and training allow me to empathize across cultures, ages, and experiences. I believe that we all experience moments in our lives that are emotionally/mentally challenging. I believe that I provide a safe and validating environment for others to find their way through those difficult moments, help them resolve trauma, and guide them to build a purposeful and joy-filled life.
My specialty areas include: depression, anxiety, bipolar, trauma, drug and alcohol abuse, couples counseling, suicidal behaviors, and borderline personality disorder.
Mary Gonring, MEd, LPC-IT
Days in office: Wednesday and Friday
Phone: 262-243-2071
Email: mary.gonring@cuw.edu
About Mary
I’m a Wisconsin native who grew up in Whitefish Bay, where I attended Dominican High School. I received my BA in Psychology and Biology from Assumption College in Worcester, MA, and earned my Ed.M. in Counseling and Sports Psychology from Boston University. I currently work part-time as a school-based mental health therapist at St. Marcus Lutheran School in Milwaukee, and will be at Concordia part-time at the Counseling Center as well. In my spare time, I coach club volleyball with the Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club and work as a mental performance coach with athletes in the Milwaukee area. I also enjoy watching sports, going out to dinner with friends, and eating lots of pizza!
I’m thrilled to be a part of the CUW counseling team and look forward to getting to know as many students as possible. Please feel to reach out if there’s ever anything you want to talk about—or just want to say “Hi”!
Around-the-clock stress management support
While not a solution for all students, Concordia’s SMART Lab (otherwise known as Evelyn’s Place) is a free 24-hour resource available to all Concordia students who want to optimize their achievement, success, and holistic wellbeing through the development of stress management skills and resiliency training. Services utilized through the SMART Lab will engage students in stress reduction practices while simultaneously equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to better manage daily stress and increase overall resiliency.
It’s not meant to be a clinical diagnosis tool. However, it has proven to be a tremendous support to many students who choose to utilize it—either in tandem with the counseling center staff or independently of scheduled sessions with a counselor.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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