Embedded Counselor begins work in Music and Arts & Letters

New embedded counselor Christian Gibson maintains offices in both Music and Arts and Letters in order to be on-site for students, faculty and staff. Her presence is an expansion of mental health services the College offers in partnership with MSU CAPS.

Through a partnership with Michigan State University Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), therapist and social worker Christian Gibson has begun work as an Embedded Counselor for the College of Music and the College of Arts and Letters. CAPS is the campus unit that connects students with the most appropriate and available care and services.

Gibson will maintain offices in both colleges in order to be on-site for students, faculty and staff, and her presence will enable students and others to optimize their health, well-being and success by addressing specific and unique needs. Short-term individual counseling, group counseling, tailored outreach and education, consultation with faculty and staff, and more, is now readily available.

Dr. Yvonne Connelly of CAPS will continue helm CAPS Connect in Music, which is an in-house, walk-in or by-appointment resource for students each Friday afternoon. Both counselors are part of an ongoing and growing focus within the College on health and wellness, which includes hearing testing, for-credit health-focused courses, chair massages, an annual health and wellness fair, and consultations for performers on musculoskeletal issues.

“I am excited to be here and have experienced such a warm welcome so far,” Gibson said. “I am grateful to be part of a community that values the whole-person health of its members, and I think the fact that CAPS, as a part of University Health and Wellness, and these two colleges have collaborated on this new role and invested in the students, faculty, and staff by hiring me is a big deal.”

Gibson hails from the Detroit area, but she describes herself as “third culture kid,” having spent a significant part of her childhood living in Budapest, Hungary. She has worked with college students in several roles including resident director, advocate, prevention educator, instructor, and counselor.

“What I enjoy most about my work is to walk alongside students as they heal, grow, change, and come into more fullness, both for or as themselves and in their relationships,” Gibson said. “I am passionate about collective liberation, and I think the world would be a better place if we all took a few more naps!”

Gibson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Calvin University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver. Her professional interests include, emotionally focused therapy, attachment concerns, depression, mindfulness and self-compassion, intersectionality and womanist psychology, and healing from sexual assault and relationship violence. She points out that community members are still welcome and encouraged to meet with other clinicians, through either CAPS or the broader East Lansing Community.

“I am here to serve the students, faculty, and staff in whatever capacity I can,” she said. “I am looking forward to meeting with students individually in addition to hosting a self-care group this winter and other fun wellness activities throughout each semester. Stay tuned for what’s coming from my office!”