Joellen Popma has been appointed as the new director of the University Counseling Center (UCC) at the University of Rochester. In this role, Popma will oversee counseling and mental health services available to students, faculty, and staff at the University of Rochester. Her appointment was effective June 1.
"Dr. Popma's professional experience in treating patients and teaching students makes her well-suited for this position," said Dr. Ralph Manchester, vice provost and director of University Health Service, which houses the counseling center. "I am confident that under her direction, the Counseling Center will continue to successfully meet the needs of our campus community."
The UCC provides a broad range of services to members of the University community, including individual, couples, and group therapy, 24-hour crisis services, and educational presentations. The Counseling Center also is the site of a training program for mental health professionals at the graduate student level and beyond. Popma, who comes to Rochester from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa., will provide leadership, direct patient service, supervise trainees and guide faculty and staff on counseling and mental health services.
"I have a long history of and passion for working with the college student population," said Popma, who served as associate director of the University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center for seven years. "I am looking forward to leading such a talented staff and developing initiatives to further enhance the services we provide to the students and the community."
Popma received bachelor's and master's degrees from The Ohio State University and earned a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Kentucky. She also was an adjunct faculty member at Chatham University, where she taught courses including Advanced Group Psychotherapy and Foundations of Counseling Psychology. Popma, who specializes in trauma, sexual assault, diversity and cultural issues, and training and supervision, has authored several papers on childhood sexual abuse. She also is a member of the American Psychological Association and the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama.