Wilson Harvey

Weston, West Virginia

Master’s Student in Counseling

While working as a student teacher during his undergraduate teacher education program, Wilson Harvey noticed there was not enough emphasis on mental health in the classroom.

“I have a passion for the school system, and I think there’s not enough focus on mental health in the school system today,” Wilson said. “I really want to be able to bring the two of them together. There is a lot that you can do as a teacher in a classroom but there are things you cannot do. I kind of think that the mental health piece is what’s missing.”

Harvey’s passion for bringing more awareness of mental health issues in schools led him to forgo a teaching career after he completed his undergraduate education. Upon graduation from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a degree in secondary education in May 2017, Harvey decided to continue his schooling and pursue his master’s in counseling from CEHS.

“When I entered undergrad, I had it in my mind that school counseling was something I might do,” Harvey said.

For Harvey, the choice to enroll at CEHS was clear. His mother, a private practice counselor and CEHS alumna had many great things to say about her experience in the counseling program. Growing up, Harvey often came to WVU games, and today, he loves living in the upbeat atmosphere he remembers from his childhood.

In the School Counseling Program, Harvey has enjoyed the way that theory, neuroscience and diverse viewpoints are blended into the curriculum. He has learned a lot through applying the knowledge he's gained in the classroom through simulated counseling sessions and role-playing exercises.

“It’s a strong program with a strong focus on actually practicing,” Harvey said. “There’s certainly a place for research, but I think [the faculty] do a great job on focusing on the practical aspects of counseling and being able to carry out the knowledge gained in the classroom.”

This spring, Harvey completed his internship in conjunction with a full-time job at Philip Barbour High School in Philippi, West Virginia. During this experience, he was able to help high schoolers with everything from mental health issues to college applications.

“Now that I’m actually on the ground in my internship, I get the chance to really see how prevalent mental health issues are among our youth,” said Harvey. “I’d like to think that I’ve helped make an impact on some of these students’ lives.”

Since Harvey has completed his program, he plans to earn his LPC and work as a professional school counselor. Ultimately, he hopes to earn a doctorate in teacher education or counselor education to train the next generation of professionals.

“I hope to blend both avenues I’ve done so far,” Harvey said. “Having two things that I’m extremely passionate about is a good problem to have.”