Personal Counseling

A 50-minute workshop on understanding how stress affects us all, and how you can use “Happiness Skills” to reduce it.

Handling stress is an important concern for students. Learn how to anticipate and compensate for the stressors of a busy life.

A 45-minute workshop on understanding anxiety and depression.

Learning how excessive anxiety and/or depression can affect you is the first step to learning how to reverse the cycle. Know signs and symptoms of both, and options to increase healthy responses.

A 40-minute workshop on increasing self-esteem

Learn how to stop self-sabotage, begin compassionately supporting yourself, and become empowered to reach your higher goals.

A 45-minute workshop on creating healthy relationships.

Learn what makes for a successful, fulfilling, and safe relationship, while increasing your ability to recognize warning signs that might signal trouble ahead.

A 45-minute workshop to increase your knowledge about suicidality.

Learning what you can do to help yourself and those you care about stay safe is critical in today’s stress-filled environment. It’s okay to talk about it!

A 45-minute workshop on skills to overcome test anxiety and boost exam performance.

Learn to understand test anxiety, how to optimize performance, and utilize effective test taking strategies to increase success.

A 30-minute workshop on facing change.

Change is challenging! Learn how and why we resist change, and learn effective strategies that will increase your ability to create the changes you desire in your life.

A 45-minute workshop that explores obstacles that could interfere with your academic progress.

Learn to identify barriers to progress and how to persevere in the face of challenges, helping to achieve academic success.

A 45-minute workshop to increase understanding of how the human reward system can be hijacked, and learn how to get your life back.

Learn about the science behind addiction and what options are available for recovery.

A 45-minute workshop to increase oral and written communication skills, including learning how to use those skills to successfully advocate for yourself.

Learn to be a more confident and persuasive communicator, capable of navigating challenging interactions, and building solid connections.

A 40-minute workshop on increasing your ability to be in your power.

Empower yourself to navigate the digital world safely and confidently by learning the importance of responsible online behavior, protecting personal information, participating in online spaces safely, and maintaining your mental health.

A 40-minute workshop to guide students to higher success levels by knowing when, how, and who to ask for help.

Learn how to be in your power and to ask for the support you deserve for reaching your academic goals.

A 30-minute workshop for increasing your ability to “focus on the good stuff.”

Learn to harness the power of positive psychology, to improve your mood, motivation, and ability to face life’s challenges.

A 30-minute workshop addressing how to achieve the intricate balance between college life and personal life.

Learn strategies to navigate the whirlwind of college life; academics, personal, and social life can be challenging for most students.  Learn to prioritize, better manage time, and maintain balance.

A 45-minute workshop for increasing your ability to connect and build social supports.

Learn about the risks posed by the “Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” we are experiencing, and how we can increase meaningful connections, experience more fulfillment in our personal lives, and strengthen our communities.

A 45-minute workshop to help you to face and understand the grieving process.

Learn the characteristics of the stages/steps/processes involved in grieving loss and how to reach a “new normal,” while honoring the loss and the process .

A 30-minute workshop to help you recognize mental health challenges faced by students.

Increase your understanding of mental health issues faced by students, learn how to provide compassionate support to fellow students, and help them to find help if needed.

A 30-minute for workshop to help prepare you for the holiday experience.

Increase your understanding of Holiday Blues and learn what strategies can help you to “let go and find the joy.”

A 30-minute workshop to help you discover community resources available to BCTC students, including health insurance.

Lamont Campbell (859-246-6322), BCTC Resource Specialist with the Family Scholar House, provides an overview of all the community supports and government benefits available to BCTC students, including health insurance, available through “kynector” Marsha Miller.

This workshop is offered in the Math Workshops Spotlight Session.

Sign up for Math Workshops Spotlight Session

A 45-minute workshop to help you recognize that math doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Increase your understanding of math anxiety, how it can affect you, what causes it, and what skills you can practice to manage it.

A 45-minute workshop to increase student success in both in-person and online classes.

Effective study skills, updated with tips to increase success. Covers organization, time management skills, and helpful tips to increase retention of learned material.

Dates and Times: Not listed in this semester’s Spotlight schedule. Request session if needed.

A 45-minute workshop on understanding and de-escalating conflict.

Conflict happens! In our currently conflict-ridden social and political environment, learning a civil approach to de-escalation can become a foundation for healing. Learning what you bring, and what others bring to the situation can help create understanding, providing a way to reduce conflict and re-connect. 

Dates and Times: Not listed in this semester’s Spotlight schedule. Request session if needed.

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Problems forming relationships
• Lack of satisfaction with current relationships
• Loss of relationships (through death, divorce, break-ups, moving away)
• Family problems
• Anger
• Loneliness
• Homesickness
• Experiencing violence now or in the past
• Problems related to alcohol or other substance use
• Rape/sexual assault
• Problems with eating or body image
• Adjusting to college
• Adjusting to a new culture
• Wanting to learn to make healthier life choices
• Having a general sense of "not feeling like myself"
• Having a general feeling of unhappiness or unease
• Confusion about identity, who or what you want to be
  Career and major exploration

Counseling services are free and confidential to all registered BCTC students.

Students frequently ask the following questions about confidentiality:

• What if a professor calls to find out if a student has sought counseling?
• What if a parent calls wanting to know if their son or daughter is getting help?
• What if a future employer wants to know if a BCTC graduate has ever received counseling?

Our staff takes confidentiality extremely seriously. No matter who calls seeking information about students or alumni, the answer is always something like this: "We are not allowed to disclose any information about students without a written release of information from that student. Therefore, we are not even able to tell you whether a person has ever sought services here."

That means that students can seek counseling services at Counseling Services and rest assured that no one will know their business unless the student gives his or her permission for the counselor to release information. There are only three exceptions to this policy:

• The first involves safety: If a student discloses to a counselor that he or she feels like they can not prevent themselves from killing or seriously harming themselves or another person, the counselor may need to break confidentiality. That doesn't mean that students can't talk about suicidal or rageful feelings. Lots of students go through times when they feel this way. It's just that if a person feels these things to such extremes that they can't control themselves from carrying it out, their counselor may need to break confidentiality to protect a person from harm.
• Another exception to the policy is when the student tells the counselor about someone being abused who is either under 18, over 65, or disabled. In these cases, the counselor is mandated by law to disclose that information to the Kentucky Department of Social Services. The reason for this is to make sure that people who can not protect themselves are being protected by the law and by state services.
• The final exception to the policy is when a judge forces a counselor to turn over records to a court of law. This is very rare and only occurs when students are involved in some sort of legal proceedings such as custody cases and lawsuits.

Informed Consent

Our policy about confidentiality is based on state law and the ethics of the counseling profession. We believe strongly that students should be aware of how these policies work before they begin counseling. This is known as a client's informed consent. Counselors talk with students about these and other related issues in their first session.

Director of Counseling Services
(859) 246-6914 
anita.nelums@kctcs.edu  

BIO: Born and raised in Harlan KY; Lincoln Memorial University (BSW) and Lindsey Wilson College School of Professional Counseling (M.Ed.) Over 20 years in the helping profession; vast amount of experienced with different populations in a variety of settings.

Prior related counseling experiences:  Anita’s social work and counseling experience ranges from child protective services, domestic violence, welfare to work, supported employment, foster care, independent living, behavioral health, and higher education.

Self-description: Caring, understanding, empathetic, honest, love to laugh; I try to have a positive outlook.

Leisure activities: Friends, family, and reading.

Favorite past-times:  Singing, spending time, with friends and family.

Two fun facts:  My best friend has been my best friend since Kindergarten, and I love Mickey Mouse.

College Counselor
roger.pearson@kctcs.edu
(859) 246-6299

BIO: Before a mid-life career change, Roger worked as a mason doing historic restoration in the area for 24 years. Roger returned to school at BCTC, transferred to UK for an undergraduate degree, and then earned an MSW in an Advanced Standing program at the UK College of Social Work.

Prior related counseling experiences: Roger has worked as a therapist with at risk children and families at a psychiatric hospital and local agency; with a FCPS grant funded program and has led substance abuse treatment groups.

Self-description: Very interested in communication and connection with humans, animals and nature.

Past-times preferences outside of work: Hiking, walking, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking and sailing.

Favorite activities: Snorkeling in tropical waters, sailing and boating.

Two fun facts: Has had a love affair with the ocean since learning to swim at age 2; and has an uncanny/amazing/astounding ability to impersonate Alvin and the Chipmunk’s singing their Christmas song.

College Counselor
astraleyfields0001@kctcs.edu 
(859) 246-6353

BIO: Born and raised in WV; Graduated from Mountain State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and then graduated from University of Kentucky with an MSW. Began a career in a correctional environment and never looked back. 22 years working in a correctional environment. I have over 15 years in the helping profession; experienced with different populations in a variety of settings.  

Prior related counseling experiences: Most of Angie’s counseling experience has been in serving the dually diagnosed population. She has worked with trauma survivors, individuals struggling with addiction, severe mental health, incarcerated adults, and even some experience in children’s therapy.  

Self-description: Nurturing, empathic, understanding and strive to be nonjudgmental. I love to laugh and have fun. I can be super silly, especially if I am tired.   

Leisure activities: Being a mom, GNO with my friends, family time, and some type of fitness life.

Favorite past-times: Watching my child perform in any capacity. Traveling with family.  

Two fun facts: I love watching theatre. I met my husband on a blind date.  

College Counselor
beth.breitmayer@kctcs.edu
(859) 246-6355

BIO: Beth was born in Los Angeles, California, grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has lived in Lexington, KY since 1996.  Graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice/Political Science at University of St. Thomas followed by two years of full-time volunteer work as a GED/Reading teacher in Eastern Kentucky.  Beth earned a Master of Adult Education and Literacy at the University of Minnesota and began teaching developmental reading/writing at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in 1997.  In 2021 she went back to school to earn my Master of Social Work at University of Kentucky, with an emphasis in clinical social work and substance use disorder because she wanted to help students in a more personal way.  Beth’s experiences and interests are with immigrants, refugees, the LGBTQIA community, neurodiverse community and students who are experiencing anxiety, depression, or are struggling with the transition into college. Beth is also a Professor of Social Work at BCTC. 

Prior related counseling experiences: Beth has worked closely with students for over 25 years as a coach, mentor, advisor, and teacher.   She has worked at Kentucky Refugee Ministries as a Victim’s Advocate and has worked as a BCTC college counselor specifically since 2022.  Beth has also led alcohol related substance abuse groups for over 10 years.  

Self-description: I am nurturing, empathetic, and a safe-space for others.  I am an outgoing introvert.    

Leisure activities: thrifting, gardening, reading, listening to podcasts.  

Favorite past-times: Anything that has to do with my three kids.    

Two fun facts: I used to be in a band that played at assisted living communities and I have several tattoos.