The Scraper counseling center
The Scraper Counseling Center
The Scraper Counseling Center serves dual purposes as a training site for future counseling professionals and to support the MACU community in a compassionate, supportive, and confidential Christian environment. Upholding all state and federal regulations, the Center acts as a safe haven for health, wellness, and rehabilitation to restore clients’ mental well-being. The interns and staff act as guides to move clients toward healing and making healthy decisions. Our staff highlights the client’s God-given strengths through trained guidance and finds creative ways to utilize these gifts to help the client to empower the client to work toward restoration and healing.
If you are in crisis or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, such as uncontrollable feelings or thoughts about hurting yourself or others, call 911 or go to your local hospital emergency room.
Need help in a crisis? Call 988 or visit the website linked here.
Are you Feeling?
- Depressed
- Anxious
- Stressed Out
- Homesick
- Lonely
- Overwhelmed
- Defeated
- Conflicted with a Peer
- Lack of Motivation
- Weepy
- Sad
- Unable to Concentrate
About Scraper Counseling Center
- Only Oklahoma students can be accepted at this time
- On-campus and virtual appointments available
- FREE
- Individual counseling services
- Confidentiality guaranteed
- Group therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Hours of Operation
Mondays – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesdays – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesdays – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursdays – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fridays – 9 a.m. to Noon
Phone: 405-692-3151
Email: [email protected]
Do you have a Compliment, Comment, or Complaint? Please fill out this form and email it to us at [email protected].
Small Group Therapy
The Scraper Counseling Center is hosting various small groups throughout the school year. Sign up by clicking this link to join a small group. All small groups are completely free and confidential. Check the link to see days and times of the small groups.
Better Brain Book Club
Join the Better Brain Book Club for Faculty and Staff. We will study books that help us focus on having healthier brains and stronger mental health.
Our first book study will start Thursday, Nov. 13. We will read “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. The club will meet at Noon Thursdays in the Clements Dining Room. Bring your lunch and join us!
The first 10 people to register will get the “Boundaries” Book for free.
Green Bandana Project
The Green Bandana Project is a program for high school and college students that raises mental health awareness, reduces stigma, and connects students to mental health and suicide prevention resources. Green is the color of mental health awareness. Student members go through a short training course, carry resource cards, and tie a green bandana to their backpack or another visible location as a way to let their peers know that they are a member of the Green Bandana Project and a trusted person who knows how and where to reach out for help.
MACU’s Active Minds Club launched the GBP in November 2025. Students may apply to be a GBP Ambassador by clicking this link.
Meet Our Therapists
Christy Barlow, LPC Candidate
Hobbies: Being anywhere and doing anything with my family, watching the new Matlock with my husband and youngest son, reading, and listening to ministry podcasts.
Fun Fact: I am the oldest of 9 siblings and although we don’t get to see each other very often, it’s a happy reunion whenever we do!
Why Counseling: I believe that God prepared me to be a counselor from my beginning and every experience that I have had along the way has equipped me to love, care for, and help those who need it. God doesn’t force our steps, but He really does order them when we learn to trust that He sees and knows what we cannot. It is a joy, honor, and a privilege to be a counselor here at the Scraper Center.
Kelsey Carter, LPC Supervisor
Diego Alcala, Intern
Hobbies: CrossFit, video games, board games, Magic: The Gathering, audiobooks, Dungeons & Dragons
Fun Fact: I set out on a quest to the animal rescue, determined to secure a specific dog for my sisters. But fate laughed in my face; the hound had already been snatched. I stood there, defeated and emotionally vulnerable, as an adorable tuxedo cat let out a roar that could melt hearts. His wide, hypnotic eyes shattered every ounce of restraint I had left. I walked out with the ultimate Bachelor: my cat.
Why I Want to Be a Counselor: I believe no one should have to walk alone. I am here to provide a supportive space where your story is heard, valued, and understood. Where you can walk at your own pace toward healing and growing.
Maritza Bonhomme, Intern
Hobbies: Gardening, spending time with family
Fun Fact: Born and raised in the Caribbean before moving to Oklahoma
Why I Want to Be a Counselor: I want to be a counselor because I am passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges and overcome barriers that can interfere with their growth and success.
Dena Bradford, Intern
Hobbies: Travel, herbalism, creative leafing
Fun Fact: I once flew in a stunt plane,
Why I Want to Be a Counselor: Honestly? Because the work that mattered most to me — women’s wellbeing, nervous system regulation, chronic illness, identity collapse and rebuild, and issues of midlife — wasn’t being done well anywhere I could find. So I am working towards building a practice that I wished existed.
Brajhelle Covington, Intern
Hobbies: Traveling somewhere new, thrifting, attending concerts, and binge watching one of my favorite comfort shows!
Fun Fact: I’m unapologetically a devoted fan of the Fast & Furious franchise, a proud dog mom to the sweetest goldendoodle named Memphis, and a culinary school graduate with a pastry arts background.
Why I Want to Be a Counselor: I wanted to become a counselor because I know how much it means to have someone who really listens — especially when everything feels new and uncertain.
Mandy Duran, Intern
Hobbies: Gardening, reading, working out, movies, going to bed early!
Fun Fact: Lived outside the continental U.S. for 5 years
Why I Want to Be a Counselor: To be a sanctuary for others.
Stephanie Holloway, Intern
Hobbies: Spending time with my family and our two fur babies, home projects, decorating, landscaping, running, golfing, being outdoors, and staying active.
Fun Fact: I have completed multiple half and full Ironman races, marathons, and adventure races. Today, my greatest adventure is restoring our Slipper 17 sailboat!
Why I Want to Be a Counselor: I want to be a therapist because everyone deserves a place where they can be heard, understood, respected, and valued.
Tiffany Kersey-Williams, Intern
Hobbies: Reading, baking
Fun Fact: I was Childcare Provider of the Year for the U.S. Air Force in 2010.
Why I Want to Be a Counselor: After raising a huge family and experiencing a whole lot of life firsthand, I decided I wanted to turn these experiences into something that could help other people.
Kelli Pelham, Intern
Hobbies: Learning, gaming with my kids, listening to music, and watching classic monster movies
Fun Fact: I love crazy socks that never match, a slight shoe obsession, and the Bible from Lego graphic novel.
Why I Want to Be a Counselor: We live in a world filled with people who are hurting and want to be seen, heard, and understood. I want to help them see how amazing their stories really are!
Whitney Outon, Intern
Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, and watching sports
Fun Fact: I played on the women’s basketball team here at MACU.
Why I Want to Be a Counselor: I want to walk alongside others through life’s challenges and create a space for them to feel heard, valued, and understood.
Sarah Outlaw, Intern
Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, reading, painting, listening to music
Fun Fact: I have 2 pit bulls that I’m absolutely obsessed with. Murphy is 13 and Scout is 2.
Why I Want to Be a Counselor: I truly believe all of the things I’ve experienced throughout my life have led me to counseling. Everyone deserves to know they aren’t alone in what they are going through and that even if it may not feel like it in our dark moments, there is ALWAYS hope. I want to be the person to help them find it.
Grace Booton, Student Worker
Hobbies: Running, playing guitar, watching the sunset, hanging out with friends, spending time with family
Fun Fact: I was the mascot at my high school.
Why I Want to Work at Scraper as the Student Worker: I wanted to learn more about mental health and be part of a program that is serving the MACU community! Plus, the people at Scraper are so amazing.
About Michelle Strain
Michelle Strain, Director of Counseling Services at the Scraper Counseling Center, is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Master’s Degree in Human Relations. Her Bachelor’s Degree is in Journalism.
Michelle started her counseling career as a school counselor before moving into school counselor and counselor leadership at the district and state level. She has been in private practice since 2020.
Michelle’s hobbies are spending time with her husband, 4 adult sons, her daughter-in-law, and her two granddaughters. She also is a big sports fan and has spent lots of time at the soccer fields, football fields, baseball fields, and basketball courts when her children were growing up.
A fun fact about Michelle is she is a state expert in school crisis response, preparation and prevention.
“The reason I love counseling is because I get to watch people come to us in low times and then I get to watch their healing process. I love how God uses counselors to make a difference in the lives of our clients.”
