Davenport celebrates first mental health counselor to receive LLC

Not long ago, talking about one’s mental health was considered taboo, and as a result, people who needed help suffered in silence. Thankfully, there has been a massive shift in recent years to put that thinking aside, creating a movement that encourages people to focus on their mental health and to seek help without shame.

This line of thinking has led to observances like World Mental Health Day on October 10, a time to focus on mental health, reducing social stigma and the importance of educating providers to meet the demand for services. 

This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is “access to services.” It aligns perfectly with Davenport University’s focus on expanding much-needed mental health services in Michigan through the creation of two programs: Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Service Case Management/Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling.

Dr. Anne Cramer, Davenport University’s Mental Health Counseling program department chair, said the university’s decision to offer mental health counseling programs stems from a documented need for mental health professionals globally, as well as right here in our own communities. The evidence backing up this claim is alarming.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost one in five adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition, and according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), almost half of those adults do not receive the mental health support they need. What’s even more startling, according to NAMI, is that one in six youth in the U.S aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.

Davenport answered the call for additional mental health professionals in our country. Cramer said the university was well-positioned to offer a program in Mental Health Counseling because it aligns with the university’s mission to prepare students for professional careers that positively impact the community.

The program, which launched in Fall 2023, prepares students for rewarding careers in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, community mental health centers, schools, substance abuse treatment facilities and private practice.

While Davenport’s Mental Health Counseling program is only two years old, it is already making a difference to combat the mental health professional shortage and is getting noticed. There are currently more than 130 students enrolled in the program, all of whom should have no issue finding employment. “We have been approached by several local mental health providers, requesting interns, and many of our students in internship positions have already been offered jobs once they graduate,” said Cramer.

Deanna Hall was one of the first 11 students to graduate from Davenport’s Master of Mental Health Counseling program in August 2025.

With more than 23 years of experience in education, including 15 years as a school principal in Metro Detroit, Hall has dedicated her career to fostering safe, inclusive and academically enriching environments for students, families, and staff. “My work has centered around supporting children and families in crisis, developing trauma-informed practices, and building strong, trusting school communities,” she said.

For Hall, pursuing a degree in mental health counseling seemed like the next logical step.

I’ve witnessed a growing need for mental health services, especially among young children, and have seen firsthand the impact of early intervention and emotional support,” she said. “This understanding has inspired me to transition from leading large school communities to working in more intimate, therapeutic environments where deeper connections and healing can take place. I am especially passionate about addressing the shortage of mental health professionals willing to work with young children and aim to be part of the solution by providing compassionate, developmentally appropriate care.” 

Hall earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Davenport in 2000 and went on to earn a master’s degree in Education from Wayne State University. At that point, she began a satisfying career in education, but years later, she knew a second master’s degree was in her future. She chose to return to Davenport University because of the positive experience she had during her undergraduate studies.

“I chose to return to Davenport for my second master’s degree because of the deep appreciation I have for the school,” she said. “During my undergrad, the instructors were truly outstanding. Many of them actively work in the fields they teach, which brings a real-world, practical perspective to the classroom and enhances the overall learning experience,” she said.  

Dr. David Gillespie, Davenport faculty member, has been teaching at the university for more than 35 years and has been involved with the Mental Health Counseling program since its inception. He helped shape the program’s curriculum, teaches classes and mentors future counselors.

With a doctoral degree in mental health, Gillespie could work anywhere, but he chose to educate future mental health professionals at Davenport, including Hall.  “What motivates me most is seeing students grow into competent, compassionate counselors who are ready to make a difference in people’s lives,” he said. “I love witnessing their development, supporting their professional growth and helping them navigate challenges along the way.”

What makes Davenport’s program unique, he said, is its strong emphasis on practical experience, individualized mentorship and integrating evidence-based practices with real-world application. “Students are prepared not just to meet licensure requirements, but to thrive as ethical, effective counselors in diverse settings,” he said.

For Gillespie, Hall’s achievement is cause for celebration. “Her achievement is significant because she’s paving the way for future students in this program,” Gillespie said. “Being the first to earn a Limited Licensed Counselor (LLC) license reflects her dedication, hard work and perseverance, and it marks a milestone for the program itself, highlighting its quality and the opportunities it provides.”

“Deanna worked so hard to earn this degree,” said Cramer. “She completed the entire 60-credit program in just two years, which is incredible. Her accomplishment is also exciting because it is the first time that the State of Michigan licensing bureau has reviewed and approved a Davenport graduate as an LLC.”

Upon graduating in August 2025 with a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, Hall applied for and received her LLC from the State of Michigan, which allowed her to open her own private practice, Mindful Meadows.

“I currently provide mental health counseling services to children, teens, adults and couples,” she said. “This new chapter combines my background in education with my passion for mental health, allowing me to support clients across various life stages and challenges.”  

Hall said each of the clients she has worked with has a unique story and perspective, and having experience with these diverse backgrounds as a counselor helps her grow personally and professionally. This experience, she said, has shaped how she engages with clients and reinforced her commitment to providing empathetic, personalized care. 

Click here to learn more about Davenport’s Mental Health Counseling degrees.

Click here and here to read more about these exciting career paths on Davenpost.

A generous gift to support mental health at Davenport from alumnus Keith Klingenberg and his wife, Kathy, provided the funds to support the curriculum development for both of these degree programs.