App State Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

04/01/2026

Dr. Mark Schwarze’s April column on understanding ADHD.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, more commonly known as ADHD, is one of the most widely discussed and misunderstood mental health conditions in both schools and clinical settings. As a counselor educator and

03/24/2026

Our own Dr. Mark Schwarze been selected as the 2026 Leadership Excellence for Counselors by Counselors Award recipient by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates - NBCC

This award is especially meaningful because it was created for counselors, by counselors to recognize those working to expand access to mental health services, strengthen our profession, and support counselor education and advocacy.

This recognition reflects work done through Dr. Schwarze's time serving as Chair of the NC Board for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors and in his role as Program Director for the App State Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Appalachian State University

Only one award in this category was given nationally this year.

Congratulations Dr. Schwarze!

Dr. Mark Schwarze, associate professor and program director of the Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling program at Appalachian State University, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Leadership Excellence for Counselors by Counselors Award by the National Board for Certified Counse...

03/10/2026

Virtual Open House – App State Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Thinking about graduate study in counseling? Join us for a Virtual Open House to learn more about App State’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.

April 16
6:00 PM
Virtual

✔ Learn about the program and curriculum
✔ Meet Program Director Dr. Mark Schwarze
✔ Ask questions about admissions, training, and career pathways

Register to receive the link to join.
We look forward to connecting with you!

https://grad.appstate.edu/register/?id=d6ce0cfc-3ccb-4d1f-8f9a-96fa27a44bf0

03/06/2026

Check out Dr. Mark Schwarze’s March column.

As a mental health counselor, professor, and researcher, I’m reminded daily that older adults deserve more than just mental health care, they deserve the care that truly fits them. And

02/22/2026

App State CMHC showed up at the 2026 NC Counseling Association Conference in Asheville, NC. Alumni, current students, and faculty attended and presented their work. Not all were captured in these pictures, but here is a glimpse.

02/16/2026

Tomorrow at 6pm!

Interested in becoming a clinical mental health counselor? Join us for the App State CMHC Virtual Open House!
📅 February 17 at 6:00 PM (virtual)
You’ll have the chance to:
• Learn about our Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
• Meet Program Director Dr. Mark Schwarze
• Ask questions about admissions, coursework, and what it’s really like to be a student
🔗 Register to receive the link to join.
We hope to see you there!
Register here: https://grad.appstate.edu/register/...

Interested in becoming a clinical mental health counselor? Join us for the App State CMHC Virtual Open House!

📅 February 17 at 6:00 PM (virtual)

You’ll have the chance to:
• Learn about our Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
• Meet Program Director Dr. Mark Schwarze
• Ask questions about admissions, coursework, and what it’s really like to be a student

🔗 Register to receive the link to join.
We hope to see you there!

Register here: https://grad.appstate.edu/register/?id=e9c5eb07-b0cf-40fd-8bb8-f678766c2a80

02/06/2026

Still time to sign up!

Interested in becoming a clinical mental health counselor? Join us for the App State CMHC Virtual Open House!

📅 February 17 at 6:00 PM (virtual)

You’ll have the chance to:
• Learn about our Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
• Meet Program Director Dr. Mark Schwarze
• Ask questions about admissions, coursework, and what it’s really like to be a student

🔗 Register to receive the link to join.
We hope to see you there!

Register here: https://grad.appstate.edu/register/?id=e9c5eb07-b0cf-40fd-8bb8-f678766c2a80

02/04/2026

We’ll just leave this here for all of you looking out the window in the high country right now.

In the High Country of Western North Carolina, winter is more than just a season, it is an environment that shapes daily life. As I write this, I am looking

01/13/2026

Interested in becoming a clinical mental health counselor? Join us for the App State CMHC Virtual Open House!

📅 February 17 at 6:00 PM (virtual)

You’ll have the chance to:
• Learn about our Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
• Meet Program Director Dr. Mark Schwarze
• Ask questions about admissions, coursework, and what it’s really like to be a student

🔗 Register to receive the link to join.
We hope to see you there!

Register here: https://grad.appstate.edu/register/?id=e9c5eb07-b0cf-40fd-8bb8-f678766c2a80

01/09/2026

Good information on the Counseling Compact!

01/07/2026

Dr. Schwarze’s January column. Whatever you want to do, or accomplish, do it! Time is wasting.

Last year, for my January article, and in the spirit of the new year, I wrote about goals and how to best achieve them. It gave solid, concrete, and evidenced-based

11/20/2025

FYI

Look at our website for a list of study resources to help counselors-in-training prepare for the National Counselor Examination and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination. https://nbcc.org/exams/examprep

Please note that we do not endorse or uphold any claims regarding these study materials.