Helping others find their strengths
Michelle Roling wasn't always a licensed mental health counselor. She taught K-12 music. She ran an in-home day care business while caring for her two sons, who have cystic fibrosis. Now, Roling is on her third career: Eating disorders coordinator at ISU's Student Counseling Services.
Hundreds more: At any given time, about 40 students are being treated for eating disorders at ISU. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Nationally, 10 percent of all college-aged students are diagnosed with eating disorders.
Strong specialization: Roling is committed to helping her clients "find the strength in themselves to recover." She became passionate about her area of professional specialization while pursuing a master's at ISU.
ISU is unique, Roling says, because Student Counseling Services has the capability to train graduate students and interns in eating disorders.
Who's counting? Roling also sees patients in her private practice, sometimes stretching her workday to 17 hours. "I've never calculated how many hours I work -- that's probably for my own mental health!"
But she finds time to dabble in her first two careers -- she teaches piano to her sons.
-- Teddi Barron
