News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has added Karen Banks, MEd, LPC, as a counselor for faculty and staff within SIUE Counseling Services. Banks will focus on supporting colleagues with concerns related to the impact of the current pandemic and racial crises.

 “Karen brings approximately a decade of clinical experience to this role,” said SIUE Associate Dean of Students for Diversity and Inclusion Courtney Boddie, PhD, director of Counseling Services.

SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook acknowledged that the past seven months have provided unique and difficult challenges to the entire campus community. “Karen’s expertise in helping people deal with stress and anxiety, and honing coping mechanisms are particularly welcomed at SIUE at this time,” he said. “We are pleased to provide her support to our excellent, hard-working faculty and staff in addition to the services already available to SIUE students.” 

“I have worked with many clients experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and/or cultural concerns,” Banks said. “We spend time processing an individual’s situation and feelings, and finding solutions that work for each person. I recognize each client is an individual and treat them as such. I offer a personal and holistic approach to therapy that clients find helpful and supportive.

“Many clients come with anxiety, relationship problems and limited coping skills. If you have made it this far, I encourage you to keep going. Reaching out for support can be extremely challenging for most people.”

Banks is available to SIUE personnel from 8 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m. on Thursdays, and 8-10 a.m. and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Fridays.

Banks trained at the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, ranked #2 nationally among counselor education programs.