WCU Magazine Fall/Winter 2025

The community, not the classroom, is the focus for Dr. Michele Pole in her work with students in West Chester’s Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program.

““Everything we do is about the community,” says Dr. Pole, who directs the University’s Community Mental Health Services (CMHS). In addition to required study to become clinical psychologists, all first- and secondyear doctoral students complete their clinical practicum at CMHS.

The clinic provides services to clients outside the University who otherwise might not have access to mental health care. Currently, 12 student clinicians see patients from children through senior adults. Depending on the time of year, the client census ranges from 30 to 60 clients.

Dr. Pole is a licensed psychologist who worked as director of psychological services at a nationally recognized center for treating addiction and behavioral health disorders before joining WCU in 2018. She says that CMHS provides training for students and much-needed care for its clients.

“The clinic is an excellent option for people who are underinsured or uninsured ... the people who are most likely to be unable to find services because they can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket. Even if they have insurance, they may have a high co-pay. We have a sliding fee scale so we can give discounts based on need. In the seven years I’ve been the director, we’ve never turned anyone away because they can’t pay for services.”

The center took a new direction in April 2025 when it launched the After-Service Support for Jurors Program. The program — the first of its kind in Pennsylvania — offers free support services to those who have completed jury duty in the Philadelphia court system. It helps jurors process anxiety or trauma that may develop after participating on a jury. The program was the subject of a feature on CBS Evening News Plus this fall.

Everything we do is about the community.

 

Dr. Pole, who specializes in treating trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), says it is an opportunity to provide a needed service while also benefiting WCU students.

“Because the PsyD program prepares our student clinicians to treat PTSD and trauma disorders, our students are trauma-informed, and this kind of work is really important to them,” she says. “It’s so unique that it will help them stand out when they apply for externships and internships. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students to provide a service that literally no other graduate student will be able to put on their curriculum vitae.”