Our featured staff member is Lauren Hembree, clinic director for counseling services at the Collaborative Care Clinic.

She was previously director of the Center City Counseling Clinic, which became part of the Collaborative Care Clinic this spring.

Let’s get to know more about her.

Where are you originally from?

I was born and raised in Springfield. I attended school in Rogersville but have been a Springfieldian my entire life.

What brought you to Missouri State University and how long have you been here?

I came to Missouri State for graduate school and then stuck around. I began the counseling program in January 2021 and graduated in May 2023. While in the program, I worked as a graduate assistant and later began serving as interim clinic director for Center City Counseling Clinic in December 2023. In 2025, I transitioned into my current role as the full-time clinic director for counseling services at what is now the Collaborative Care Clinic.

Where else have you worked before joining Missouri State?

Before returning to school, I worked for several years as a paralegal in medical malpractice and insurance defense (as a kid, though, my dream job was to be a sandwich maker at Blimpie). In addition to my role at MSU, I also have a small private practice, Bright Spot Counseling, where I work with neurodivergent teens and young adults.

What’s your educational background?

I earned my bachelor’s degree in English in 2015 and completed my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Missouri State in 2023.

How has the Center City Counseling Clinic served the campus and larger community?

For many years, Center City Counseling Clinic has provided accessible counseling services to the Springfield community, as well as MSU employees, students and alumni. Sessions range from $0 to $20, as we never want finances to be a barrier to receiving care. We’re excited to join the Collaborative Care Clinic this semester and expand our outreach and impact across campus and the greater Springfield community.

What do you do in your role at MCHHS?

As the clinic director for counseling services at the Collaborative Care Clinic, I support students as they navigate their first field experiences while also ensuring clients feel safe and supported. I vividly remember how nervous I was starting practicum as a student, so helping our students feel prepared, empowered and encouraged is a top priority.

Why did you choose your area of work?

I chose this field because — cliché alert! — I truly want to help people. While working in law, I realized the work conflicted with my values and who I am as a person. During the pandemic, I had time to reflect, which ultimately led me to pursue becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. When the opportunity arose to return to MSU as director for the clinic where I saw my first clients, I jumped at the chance to combine my strengths in organization and logistics with my passion for helping others.

What do you enjoy most about working at MCHHS?

The people. As a graduate student, my professors and peers rallied around me during a difficult time in my personal life. Now, many of those professors are colleagues, and I’m grateful to work alongside supportive administrators who are genuinely present and available. The students are an absolute joy — I love getting into thoughtful conversations about everything from existentialism to Taylor Swift.

What do you do for fun or leisure?

I enjoy watching reality TV, currently obsessed with “Survivor” and “Vanderpump Rules,” reading fantasy novels and celebrity memoirs, and spending time with my partner, my dog Crickette (a lazy-eyed Shih Tzu) and friends.

What’s your favorite winter activity?

My ideal winter day is chilly and gray, curled up on the couch with a good book and my dog— bonus points if it’s snowing!

Learn more about the Center City Counseling Clinic