News release
Darian Schlegel of Hays decided when she was in high school that she wanted to be a psychologist and work with grief support groups.
That dream became a reality recently when Schlegel was named the new executive director of the Center for Life Experience, which provides grief support for individuals in Ellis County.
Schlegel follows Ann Leiker, who retired from the position in May, after serving the organization for 22 years.
Schlegel, who grew up in Ness City, lost her mother when she was 15. Another close family member died a few months later. Schlegel credits her aunt for getting her involved in a grief counseling group for children and adolescents.
That’s when Schlegel made the decision she wanted to be a psychologist herself. She pursued that dream by getting a BS in psychology from Fort Hays State University in 2020. She completed her MS in clinical psychology from FHSU this past May.
While in college, Schlegel interned with Western Kansas Therapy Associates in Hays. She also completed an internship at the Kelly Center at FHSU, which provides counseling services for students. In addition, she served as a graduate teaching assistant in the Psychology Department.
When asked if it was a bit daunting following Leiker, the person who had guided CFLE since its inception, Schlegel said, “It’s more exciting than anything. Ann knows her stuff. It’s really been cool watching her.”
Schlegel has been training with Leiker since July 12. She will assume full-time duties on Aug. 8. She said she and Leiker have been working together on administrative matters so far. Schlegel will begin working with the center’s three grief support groups on Monday, Aug. 1.
She said her short-term goals are getting adjusted to the job demands and getting acquainted with CFLE board members, staff, and support group members.
Her long-term goals include “reaching a more diverse population—people who have never heard of us and what we do.” She also hopes to provide services to people in more rural areas in the state.
One way she hopes to do this is by “using social media a lot more to reach more young people.”
During her time at FHSU she said, “We saw a lot of young adults who were still processing their grief after the loss of a loved one a year, even five years later.
“We saw a lot of students struggling to make connections, especially their first year in college.” It is that younger population she is hoping to reach.
“CFLE is so important to me,” she added, “because it is important to normalize talking about grief. It’s important for people to express their emotions, even if they can’t exactly name what they are feeling.”
CFLE has three grief support groups. Their meeting times for August follow. All meetings will take place at the center, 103C E. 27th St.:
Healing After Loss, a group for those who have lost an adult loved one, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, and dinner meeting at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16;
Healing After Loss of Suicide, a group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide, dinner meetings at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, and 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17;
Healing Hearts, a group for adults who have lost a child close to them, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11.
More information about the center is available by calling (785) 259-6859.