FGCU’s counseling center: Where students grow and community heals
- Rick Weber
- Community
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos | Christopher Noonan, Video
6 – minute read
When the time came to apply the clinical mental health counseling skills and knowledge she developed through coursework — in a real therapy setting with actual clients — Niesha Radovanic didn’t even have to leave campus for an internship.
The Community Counseling & Education Center at Florida Gulf Coast University plays a vital role in providing graduate-level students with foundational clinical counseling experience under expert supervision — while also opening a door for the community off campus to receive affordable, flexible services.
“It’s a great place to really learn and grow as an intern,” said Radovanic, who earned a psychology bachelor’s degree in 2022 and a clinical mental health counseling master’s last May at FGCU. She’s now working as a residential treatment therapist and said employers she interviewed with have been impressed by her clinical training.
That involved working with clients of all ages, she said. In addition to her counseling center internship, Radovanic completed another at the David Lawrence Centers — one of FGCU’s many community partners. These practical experiences help build confidence in students that they can help clients achieve their counseling goals, she said.
“I remember having this moment as an intern where I felt, ‘Yeah, this is possible. I know what I’m talking about. I will be a clinician one day,’” Radovanic said.
Affordable services for all
The Community Counseling & Education Center, which opened in 2019, offers a variety of supervised services for individuals, couples, families and other groups.
Student intern counselors can help with issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships or family functioning, career or life transitions, school performance and other challenges.
A sliding fee scale makes services affordable. Community members are asked to pay the amount they make per hour at work. That means clients pay anywhere from a minimum of $5 to a maximum fee of $25 an hour for a session.
Because it serves as the initial clinical site for master’s level students completing their practicum and internships — and because FGCU’s clinical mental health counseling program has grown markedly in recent years — the center is accepting new clients and can often see people on the same day or within the same week of reaching out. Anyone interested in an appointment can find more information on the center’s website or call 239-745-4777.
The center’s interns are closely supervised by faculty members who are licensed counselors in Florida and bring years of experience and expertise across a variety of clinical areas. Many are still active professionals. Their real-world insights and mentorship expose students to current practices, emerging trends and a broader understanding of the profession.
“This approach ensures that our students receive thoughtful, ethical and developmentally appropriate guidance throughout their clinical training and are well-prepared to meet the needs of the communities they serve,” said Julieta Wenk. An alum of FGCU’s clinical mental health counseling program, she now serves as an instructor and as counseling center coordinator.
As enrollment grows and each student completes a minimum 700 hours of supervised field experience, the need for community agency partners has also increased significantly.
To meet this demand, the department is actively building relationships with local organizations to provide varied internship opportunities.
Program grows as demand does, too
Since Wenk completed her master’s degree in 2014, the counseling faculty has nearly doubled, she said. Program enrollment has increased 30% since 2020, contributing to Marieb College of Health & Human Services’ efforts to address the shortage of mental health professionals in Southwest Florida and beyond. About 80% of program graduates remain in the five-county region, contributing directly to the local workforce.
As the mental health counseling field continues to grow and distinguish itself from other helping professions like psychology, social work and psychiatry, more individuals seek specialized training to become professional counselors.
“Our program meets that demand by offering high-quality education and clinical preparation that equips students to make a meaningful impact,” Wenk said.
“That speaks volumes about the quality of their training and supervision,” Wenk said. “Our students leave the program well-prepared to begin their careers and make an immediate impact in the field.”
Inspired to help others through counseling
Adrian Surratt is another of the program’s many student success stories. He graduated last spring, completing internships at the Community Counseling & Education Center as well as FGCU’s student-focused Counseling & Psychological Services.
“My experience at both locations was extremely positive,” he said. “The Community Counseling & Education Center was a very welcoming, supportive environment that was built around counselor empowerment and growth. If I ever had a tough session — and I had many — I knew there was always a supervisor in the building to consult with, and it made all the difference in my growth and my confidence.”
Surratt’s choice of degree was inspired by his own life-changing journey with a counselor.
“After working on myself, I was able to clarify my values, visualize what I want and work toward it,” he said. “I am grateful for that opportunity and want to share it with others.
“There is a great need for mental health counselors,” Surratt said. “Increased rates of anxiety, depression and stress show how essential it is to have professionals who can help people navigate their thoughts and emotions in times of uncertainty. Counselors aren’t here to fix anyone’s problems but to listen and help promote growth and clarity.”