Personal Counseling

A 60-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 while also learning to prioritize and mange time to maintain balance.

A 60-minute workshop on increasing self-esteem.

Learn to stop self-sabotage and begin supporting yourself.

A 60-minute workshop on facing change. 

Learn why we resist change and effective strategies to increase your ability to accept and embrace change.

A 60-minute workshop addressing the epidemic of loneliness.

A 60-minute workshop about processing loss.

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 60-minute workshop about becoming more capable in your communication.

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

A 60-minute workshop about caring for yourself while caring for your loved ones.

Learn ways to manage your own emotions, how to take care of you all while caring for and providing to your loved one.

A 60-minute workshop on creating healthy relationships.

Recognizing red flags in relationships and learning tools for successful, healthy relationships.

A 60-minute workshop about mindfulness.

Learn the science behind mindfulness and walk away with some new coping techniques to help you deal with stress.

A 60-minute workshop to increase understanding of how the human reward system can be hijacked and learn to get your life back.

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

A 60-minute workshop to help you recognize that math doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

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

A 60-minute workshop helping with getting ready for finals.

Final exams can feel overwhelming, but having the right strategies can make a big difference.  Learn strategies of success.

A 60-minute workshop to equip participants with knowledge and practical skills for navigating social media and gaming safely and responsibly.

Empower yourself to navigate the digital world as safely and confidently as possible.  Learn responsible online behavior.

A 60-minute workshop about prioritizing yourself.

Learn about the importance of prioritizing your mental health and creating a daily wellness routine.

A 60-minute workshop to help prepare you for a satisfying career caring for others.

Learn more about the importance of work - life balance and creating healthy boundaries.

A 60-minute workshop to increase your knowledge about suicidality.

Learn to recognize signs of struggle with mental health management and ways to help yourself or others.

A 30-minute seminar to inform students of resources available in our community.

A seminar to inform students of available resources in our community.

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

Learn 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.

Please email Angela Straley-Fields (astraleyfields0001@kctcs.edu) or Beth Breitmayer (beth.breitmayer@kctcs.edu), BCTC Personal Counselors, to request session.

• 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
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.

College Counselor
breea.smith@kctcs.edu 
(859) 246-6299

BIO: Born and raised in Lexington, KY; Graduated from Bluegrass Community and Technical College with AAS in Criminal Justice; Eastern Kentucky University with BS in Criminal Justice; then graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have 8 years of experience working with various populations with unique life experiences.

Prior related counseling experiences: My counseling experience has served adjudicated youth aged 12-21 at the Department of Juvenile Justice for 5 years. I served as a youth worker aiding in stability, accountability, and safety of residents.  Shortly after leaving DJJ, I engaged in Multisystemic Therapy for at risk youth and their families in community mental health. Lastly, I have worked in private practice with adolescents/young adults, and older adult populations; employing skills from various evidenced based practices. I enjoy collaborating with individuals struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem.

Self-description: Empathetic, empowering, optimistic, and love to laugh/have fun.

Leisure activities: Art, Family/friends, Outdoor activities

Favorite past times: Family gatherings and traveling.

Two fun facts: I love Harry Potter and learning about herbal medicine.