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Our mission is to provide integrated behavioral health services that support the mental health, well-being, and performance of Penn State student-athletes, empowering them to thrive in sport, in the classroom, and in life.

What We Do: The Integrated Behavioral Health team provides comprehensive mental health counseling and sport performance services through a holistic model of care that recognizes mental wellness as the foundation for peak performance. We partner with student-athletes to enhance psychological well-being, and support success in sport, academics, relationships, and life.

Working collaboratively with the broader athletics support team, we deliver individualized care, consultation, education, prevention programming, and team-based mental performance services that help student-athletes perform at their best while supporting overall health and well-being.

Meet the Staff

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DJ Purnell Opens in a new window

Director of Integrated Behavioral Health Opens in a new window
Rachel Moyer Headshot Opens in a new window

Rachel Moyer Opens in a new window

Associate Director of Integrated Behavioral Health Opens in a new window

What We Offer

Our treatment includes:

  • Individual therapy-as often as needed, as long as needed
  • Group therapy/support groups
  • Team culture meetings (ex. conflict resolution, communication, teamwork) 
  • 24/7 crisis intervention, de-escalation and support 
  • Crisis debriefing for student-athletes, coaches, staff and families
  • Coordination of care with athletic trainers, team physicians, coaches and educational staff at the Morgan Academic Center
  • Advocacy
  • Consultation services to integrate mental health strategies into training programs and injury recovery plans
  • Mental health trainings for student-athletes, coaches and athletics department
  • Systems training for all coaching staff on a team-by-team basis
  • Coping skills training camp for student-athletes
  • Baseline mental health screenings on every new student-athlete
  • Assessments on every student-athlete 30 days prior to the season commencing, every season, using The International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Assessment (SMHAT-1)
  • Data tracking and research with current trends
  • Proactive role with live data-catering skills training and information dissemination for athletes and coaching staff

This referral form is for the purpose of referring a student-athlete to the care of Wellness and Therapy Services Department's clinicians.

Click here to refer a student-athlete.

Statement on Confidentiality: Your privacy is important to us. Information shared during mental health counseling or sport performance services is considered confidential and protected information.

How to Get in Touch: Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or referring a student-athlete, the Integrated Behavioral Health team is here to help.

  • Student-Athletes
    Complete the Student-Athlete Referral Form.
  • Athletics Staff
    Refer a student-athlete using the Staff Referral Form.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the Director of Integrated Behavioral Health, DJ Purnell (djpurnell@psu.edu).

After-Hours Resources: The Penn State Athletics Integrated Behavioral Health team provides services during regular business hours and is not a 24/7 crisis service.

If you need urgent, non-life-threatening mental health support outside of business hours, please utilize one of the following resources:

  • Penn State Crisis Line: call 1-877-229-6400 or text "LIONS" to 741741
  • Centre County Crisis: Call 814-237-5855 or walk-in at 2100 East College Avenue, Suite A, State College, PA 16801. Open 24/7 for crisis, mental health, and drug/alcohol support.
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate support, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency or are concerned about your immediate safety or the safety of someone else, call 911 or go to the emergency department at Mount Nittany Hospital.