Life Management Support
Life Management Support aids students by providing life coaching and free and confidential, one-on-one, short-term mental health counseling. We assist students in defining and meeting personal, academic, and career objectives. Workshops and events to promote personal development and well-being are offered.
Life Coaching is important to help us learn more about ourselves and utilize what is learned in the most positive ways possible. We understand that counseling/coaching can be awkward for some. The goal of the Life Management Team is to alleviate some of that discomfort. Our job is to create a safe space for individuals to grow using cognitive, solution-focused and narrative therapy.
Please check out the following links:
- Schedule a meeting with a life coach/counselor
https://www.therapyportal.com/p/piercemortuarycolleges/ - Life Management Newsletter (link coming soon)
- Life Management Social Media (link coming soon)
Meet the Life Management Team
Olamide Coker, MS, LPC-Associate supervised by Dr. Jurek.4dx
Olamide is a graduate of Minnesota State University - Mankato with Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Science in Counseling with an Emphasis in Mental Health Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate. She enjoys listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, and spending quality time with her husband and children. As a counselor, Olamide is passionate about creating a safe, non-judgmental confidential space for students, staff and faculty. She has worked in various settings such as higher education, corporate and county entities. She has experience with crisis intervention, depression, anxiety, immigration support, chemical dependency, career counseling, parenting and relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Where is the Life-Management Office Located?
On the Dallas Institute Campus in the back hallway. Clinical Office between the faculty offices
2) How much does it cost?
All coaching appointments with the life management office are free of charge. This includes intake appointments, follow-ups, walk-ins, and crisis appointments. If an assessment for medication is indicated and desired, we may facilitate a referral to a community provider.
3) What are the Life-Management Office Hours?
Appointments are typically scheduled Monday-Friday, with some evening appointments available. We try to accommodate our students needs as best we can. Contact information is available below.
4) What happens during my first session with a Counselor?
The life-coach you meet with individually will discuss the reasons that brought you to the office. They may ask what types of symptoms you are experiencing and how you have been coping. They may also ask questions related to your academics and any barriers you are encountering. During the first meeting, you and your coach will discuss strategies for coping that best fit your needs, preferences, and resources.
5) Are there session limits at the Life Management office?
No, current Dallas Institute of Funeral Service students are allowed to meet with a Life-Management Coach as needed.
6) What if I get referred to the community?
If a student requires longer-term or more intensive psychotherapy or specialized care that the Life-Management staff cannot provide, we will make a referral to a clinician in the community who can provide that care. If you are referred to a clinician in the community, you will need to use your health insurance or pay out of pocket for that care. We will make every effort to make sure the referral fits your clinical and practical needs. If the referral is not working for you, for any reason, you are encouraged to contact the counselor that you initially saw to discuss your options.
7) How does confidentiality work? Will a counselor tell people (e.g., professors, administrators, parents) what is discussed in our appointment?
Confidentiality: Information shared during a counseling session will be handled in a confidential manner to the extent permitted by law. Your records are classified as private data about you and can only be disclosed to others outside of the college if:
a) You sign a release of information permitting such disclosure.
b) Needed to protect the health or safety of yourself or others.
c) Required to report abuse or neglect of minors or vulnerable adults.
d) Records are subject to a valid subpoena or court order.
8) What if I am having thoughts of suicide?
If you are having thoughts of suicide, it is important that you let your counselor know. Suicidal thoughts vary greatly and understanding the nature of your thoughts will assist us in providing the best care to keep you safe and provide you the appropriate help.
9) I am not getting the grades I had hoped to earn. How can a counselor help?
Your counselor/coach can help you with study strategies, exploring your learning style, test taking strategies, steps to reduce test anxiety, and ways to resolve personal concerns that may be interfering with your ability to concentrate on your studies. If a life trauma has prevented you from succeeding in classes during a particular semester, you and your counselor can discuss academic policies to consider.
Contact Us
Location: 3909 South Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75227
Phone: 254-329-7508 ext. 5508
Email: lifemanagement@dallasinstitute.edu
Resources
The Life Management Office offers an Online Mental Health Screening, which can be accessed by students who may have questions or concerns about whether to seek support for common, treatable mental health issues such as depression, alcohol, eating disorders and more. This online screening is free and confidential. It is offered so that you may find out – in a few minutes – whether professional consultation would be helpful to you. Results are not shared with campus professionals. Please access the screening using the following link:
https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/
Assistance Hotlines:
- Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas - located in Dallas, TX
24/7 Crisis Line (214) 828-1000 or (800) 273-8255 - National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Students of color can text STEVE to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to speak with an urgent care counselor dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color. - The Trevor Project (Suicide prevention service for LGBTQ youth): 1(866) 488-7386
- The Trans Lifeline: 1(877) 565 8860
- Hope's Door New Beginnings Center Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline: (972) 276-0057
- Turning Point Rape Crisis Center Hotline: 1(800) 866-7273
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1(800) 273 8255, Press 1
- Denton County MHMR Crisis Hotline: 1(800) 762-0157
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. https://www.nami.org/home
State Chapter- https://www.nami.org/Find-Your-Local-NAMI/Affiliate?state=TX
Other resources:
Please check out the following links for a variety of organizations dedicated to assisting with Life Management:
- Talking About Mental Health – Make It OK.org
- ‘The Last Day’ Podcast (JED Foundation)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
(SAMSA) National Treatment referral helpline: 800-622-HELP (4357) - Love is Louder (JED Foundation)
- 15 Best Mental Health Podcasts to Help You Navigate Tough Times (Prevention)
- Seize the Awkward
- Half of Us