Teletherapy & Mental Health Support for Jacksonville State University Students
At Taproot Therapy Collective, we understand the unique challenges faced by college students. Our specialized teletherapy services are designed to provide accessible, effective mental health support that fits into your busy academic schedule while addressing the specific pressures of university life at JSU.
Understanding the Mental Health Needs of Jacksonville State University Students
College years represent a significant transitional period filled with academic pressures, social challenges, identity development, and preparation for future careers. At Jacksonville State University, these universal challenges are compounded by specific factors that can impact mental wellbeing.
The Current State of Student Mental Health
While specific mental health statistics for Jacksonville State University students are not publicly available, national data highlights the growing mental health concerns among college students that are likely reflected in the JSU community as well.
College Students Nationally
Of college students nationwide met the criteria for at least one mental health problem during the 2020-2021 school year, according to the American Psychological Association.
Treatment Gap
Of college students who expressed need for mental health support have never received counseling or therapy, highlighting a significant barrier to care.
Alabama Mental Health
Of Alabama adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in a recent study, with many unable to access needed counseling or therapy.
Academic Impact
Of college students report that mental health challenges have negatively affected their academic performance, according to national surveys.
Unique Stressors Affecting Jacksonville State University Students
Academic Demands
JSU students face rigorous academic expectations across various programs. The university's strong focus on academic excellence, particularly in programs like nursing, education, and emergency management, can create significant pressure and performance anxiety.
Financial Concerns
Many JSU students manage the financial burden of tuition, housing, and living expenses, often while working part-time jobs. Despite JSU's relatively affordable tuition compared to other institutions, financial strain remains a significant stressor for many students.
Rural Campus Setting
JSU's location in Jacksonville, a small city in rural Alabama, creates unique challenges including limited access to off-campus mental health resources and potential feelings of isolation for students from urban backgrounds or international students.
Community Recovery
The Jacksonville community continues to recover from the impacts of the 2018 tornado that significantly damaged the campus and surrounding areas. This ongoing recovery process can create additional stress for students who experienced the event or its aftermath.
First-Generation College Students
JSU serves a significant population of first-generation college students who may face additional challenges navigating university systems without familial guidance, creating unique stressors and potential feelings of isolation.
Career Preparation Anxiety
As graduation approaches, many students experience heightened anxiety about post-college plans, job searches, and career readiness in an increasingly competitive market, particularly in JSU's specialized programs.
Mental Health Resources at Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University offers several on-campus resources to support student mental health. While these services provide valuable support, they may have limitations in terms of availability, session limits, or specialized treatment options. Taproot Therapy Collective serves as a complementary resource when students need additional or specialized support.
On-Campus Resources
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JSU Counseling Services
Free counseling services are available to all currently enrolled students, including part-time and full-time undergraduates and graduates. Services include individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and educational workshops.
Contact: (256) 782-5475
Location: Counseling Services, 147 Trustee Circle, Jacksonville, AL
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Workshops and Seminars
The university offers various workshops and seminars on topics such as stress management, study skills, and mental health awareness to help students develop coping strategies and resilience.
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Mental Health Awareness Events
JSU participates in events such as Mental Health Awareness Month, with activities aimed at raising awareness and providing resources to the campus community.
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Academic Programs in Counseling
JSU offers accredited programs in counseling, including Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS) and School Counseling Programs, which sometimes provide supervised counseling services to the university community.
Community Resources in Jacksonville Area
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Highland Health Systems
Provides comprehensive mental health services, including outpatient counseling and crisis intervention in the Calhoun County area.
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National Crisis Hotlines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741
NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
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Alabama Department of Mental Health Resources
Provides connections to mental health services throughout the state, including in the Jacksonville area.
Benefits of Teletherapy for JSU Students
Why Consider Teletherapy?
While campus resources provide valuable support, many students benefit from the additional flexibility, privacy, and specialized care that teletherapy can provide. Taproot Therapy Collective offers a comprehensive approach to mental health that complements existing campus services.
Accessibility & Convenience
Access therapy from your dorm room, apartment, or any private space, eliminating the need to travel. This is especially valuable for students living in Jacksonville's rural setting where transportation options may be limited.
Privacy & Discretion
Receive therapy without concerns about being seen entering a campus counseling center. In a close-knit university community like JSU, this added privacy helps reduce the stigma that sometimes prevents students from seeking needed help.
Flexible Scheduling
Our expanded evening and weekend hours accommodate busy class schedules, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs, making it easier to prioritize your mental health without academic sacrifices.
Consistency During Breaks
Continue your therapy sessions during semester breaks, holidays, and summer months, maintaining therapeutic progress regardless of your location - especially important for out-of-state or international JSU students.
Specialized Treatment Options
Access specialized therapeutic approaches that may not be available through university counseling services, including trauma-focused therapies, somatic approaches, and specialized treatments for anxiety and depression.
Expanded Access
Teletherapy provides access to mental health professionals beyond what's available in the Jacksonville area, connecting you with specialists who understand the unique challenges facing college students.
Our Holistic Treatment Approaches
At Taproot Therapy Collective, we believe in treating the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. Our therapists are trained in multiple evidence-based approaches that can be effectively delivered through teletherapy, with options for in-person sessions when beneficial.
Available via Teletherapy
- Somatic Therapy - Body-centered approaches that address trauma's physical manifestations
- EMDR Therapy - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for trauma and anxiety
- Brainspotting - Innovative approach for processing trauma and enhancing performance
- Lifespan Integration - Healing technique that addresses the timeline of traumatic experiences
- Parts-Based Therapy - Exploring different aspects of self for integrated healing
- ADHD and Anxiety Treatment - Specialized approach for co-occurring conditions
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - Skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance
Available In-Person Only
- Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT) - Utilizing light and color frequencies for rapid healing
- QEEG Brain Mapping - Advanced neurological assessment for personalized treatment
- Neurofeedback - Brain training to improve regulation and function
- Neurostimulation - Technology-assisted brain regulation techniques
- Hardy Micronutrition Consultation - Nutritional approaches to mental health
Our Hybrid Approach
Taproot offers the flexibility of combining teletherapy with occasional in-person sessions when beneficial. This hybrid model allows students to maintain the convenience of online therapy while accessing specialized in-person treatments when needed. Our Birmingham location is accessible to JSU students for occasional visits when specialized treatments would be beneficial.
Our Teletherapy Specialists
Our team of licensed therapists specializes in working with college students and young adults. Each brings unique expertise to address the diverse needs of Jacksonville State University students.
Pamela Hayes, MSW LMSW
Pamela specializes in supporting college students dealing with complex PTSD, OCD, anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. Her approach blends experiential techniques with evidence-based modalities like Brainspotting and Somatic Experiencing.
For students with overlapping anxiety and attention difficulties, she offers specialized approaches addressing both anxiety and ADHD symptoms, which is particularly relevant for managing the academic demands of university life.
Book with Pamela
Dr. Haley Beech, PhD MSW LMSW
Dr. Beech specializes in anxiety, depression, and trauma recovery. Her approach incorporates somatic and experiential modalities like Brainspotting to help students navigate through trauma held in the body and emotions.
For students experiencing anxiety and depression related to academic pressure, she may discuss both therapeutic approaches and medication options when appropriate. Her compassionate, non-pathologizing approach creates a safe space for deep healing.
Learn more about Dr. Beech
Becky Milstead, LPC
With over 20 years of experience, Becky specializes in helping young adults navigate life transitions and develop effective communication skills. She's particularly skilled at working with college-age clients who are establishing independence while managing academic demands.
Becky incorporates practical exercises and teaches DBT skills to help students recognize and regulate their emotions. For students with both anxiety and attention issues, Becky offers specialized approaches addressing anxiety and ADHD symptoms together.
Connect with Becky
Marie Danner, LICSW-S MSW CCTP-II
Marie is a seasoned trauma therapist who employs a multi-modal approach to create personalized treatment plans for college students. Her therapeutic toolbox includes Brainspotting, Lifespan Integration, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Specializing in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, Marie is skilled at recognizing anxiety and depression symptoms common among college students facing academic pressures.
Book a session with Marie
Kristi Wood, LICSW MSW PIP
Kristi develops personalized treatment plans that incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. She creates a safe, non-judgmental space for students to explore their experiences and work towards lasting change.
With training in EMDR for anxiety and Brainspotting, Kristi specializes in helping college students manage anxiety, depression, and trauma responses that can interfere with academic success and social adjustment.
Book a session with Kristi
James Waites, LICSW MSW
James provides specialized support for students in high-pressure academic programs, those facing burnout, and students dealing with complex trauma. His therapeutic approach includes evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT, Brainspotting for trauma processing, and developing sustainable self-care and workflow strategies.
His expertise is particularly valuable for JSU students in demanding programs such as nursing, emergency management, or education. James helps students build resilience, combat burnout, and achieve overall well-being through practical strategies and deep therapeutic work.
Connect with JamesSpecialized In-Person Treatment Options
While most of our therapy can be effectively delivered through teletherapy, some of our specialized treatments are available only in person at our Birmingham location. For Jacksonville State University students who can travel occasionally, these treatments can complement online therapy sessions.
QEEG Brain Mapping
This advanced neurological assessment provides a detailed map of your brain's electrical activity. The data helps identify specific areas of dysregulation that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, attention issues, or sleep problems – common challenges for college students.
Neurofeedback
This non-invasive brain training helps improve cognitive function, attention, emotional regulation, and stress management. For students struggling with ADHD, anxiety, or trauma-related symptoms, neurofeedback can be a powerful complement to talk therapy.
Neurostimulation
This technology-assisted approach targets specific brain regions to improve neurological functioning. By enhancing brain regulation, neurostimulation can address symptoms of depression, anxiety, and attention difficulties that impact academic performance.
Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT)
This innovative approach uses specific frequencies of light and color to facilitate rapid emotional healing. ETT can be particularly helpful for students experiencing stress-related symptoms, emotional regulation difficulties, or processing grief and loss.
Hardy Micronutrition Consultation
This specialized nutritional approach addresses biochemical factors that influence mental health. For students experiencing mood disorders, anxiety, or attention issues, micronutrition can be an important complement to therapy and potentially reduce the need for medication.
Comprehensive Assessment
Dr. Jason Mishalanie offers comprehensive neuropsychological assessment for students struggling with attention difficulties, learning challenges, or cognitive processing issues that impact academic performance.
Our Hybrid Model: Combining Teletherapy with In-Person Care
Many students find that a hybrid approach works best – regular teletherapy sessions for consistent support, with occasional in-person visits for specialized treatments. While our Birmingham location requires some travel from Jacksonville (approximately 1.5 hours by car), the benefits of these specialized treatments can make occasional visits worthwhile as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Connect with a Taproot Therapist Specializing in College Student Mental Health
To learn more about our teletherapy services for Jacksonville State University students or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today. Our team understands the unique challenges of college life and is committed to providing the support you need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
If you're experiencing symptoms but aren't sure where to start, our guide to recognizing anxiety and depression symptoms can help you better understand what you're experiencing before your first appointment.
Contact UsReferences and Resources
- Jacksonville State University - Official website with information about JSU's Counseling Services.
- American Psychological Association - Research showing over 60% of college students met criteria for at least one mental health problem during the 2020-2021 school year.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Resources and support for mental health conditions.
- JSU Counseling Services - Information about on-campus counseling resources.
- Alabama Department of Mental Health - State mental health resources and programs.
Disclaimer: Taproot Therapy Collective is not affiliated with Jacksonville State University. We are an independent mental health practice dedicated to supporting college students and university staff with specialized teletherapy and in-person treatment options. This website is for informational purposes only and does not replace official university resources.
There is no business relationship, partnership, or official connection between Taproot Therapy Collective and Jacksonville State University. We operate as a private business providing mental health services to individuals, including but not limited to JSU students and staff. We encourage students to utilize both university-provided services and external resources like ours for comprehensive support.
By using our services, you acknowledge that Taproot Therapy Collective is not part of, endorsed by, or officially connected with Jacksonville State University or its counseling services.