Werner named director of counseling at MC
Feb. 2, 2021
Claudia Werner has been named Maryville College’s new director of counseling.
Before beginning her new role on Dec. 1, Werner served as the director of mobile crisis at Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services.
As the director of counseling, Werner is tasked with providing vision and leadership for counseling services at Maryville College. This includes oversight, management and delivery of mental health and substance abuse care for college students on and off campus. Through the provision of assessment efforts, substance use/abuse services, prevention education efforts, counseling services, referrals, crisis response, coordination of internships and strategic outreach efforts, Werner serves an integral role in support student success. This position also includes supervision of master’s-level interns from regional institutions, budget management, data management, record keeping, and collaboration with colleagues on and off campus to provide seamless support for students, in a student-centered, inclusive and accessible manner.
Werner holds a bachelor of arts in psychology from the College of New Jersey, a master of business administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a master of arts in counseling psychology from the College of Saint Elizabeth. Early in her professional career, she was employed in various clinical and educational settings that provided her the necessary skills to manage others in the mental health field. Werner was a part-time therapist for eight years at Complete Counseling in Knoxville, Tenn.
In 2013, she worked at the Peninsula Hospital, where she was the clinical services manager. As a writer and researcher, Werner played a key role in Peninsula Hospital receiving a $15,000 Phase I grant from the Trinity Health Foundation in 2016.
As the director of mobile crisis at Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services, Werner managed the mobile crisis operations for five different counties, oversaw both licensed and non-licensed direct care staff, measured and reported data, and networked with area community partners. She was a principal writer and creator of a proposal to extend the crisis walk-in center hours for Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services, and in 2018, the organization received a $65,000 grant from The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS).
“Ms. Werner brings with her a deep knowledge of working with individuals in crisis, community resources which provide support for students beyond the scope of our campus, and a passion for making a difference in the lives of those seeking to strengthen their mental health and wellbeing,” said Dr. Melanie Tucker, vice president and dean of students at Maryville College. “We are thrilled she was able to join our team and campus community.”
Written by Grant Agnew ’22