When life throws her curveballs, Birma Gainor, director of Counseling and Psychological Services for Student Health Services, responds with a different swing

Birma Gainor ’95, M ’01, M ’03 has three Clemson University degrees, a deep commitment to diversity and a black belt in taekwondo. 

Gainor also has responsibility for the vast network of services that support students’ physical and mental health at Clemson. She was appointed director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for Student Health Services in the Division of Student Affairs in May 2021. Since then, she has led the department through COVID-19, her own cancer diagnosis and lifesaving treatment — navigating motherhood and life along the way.  

“I can do things somebody else can’t do,” Gainor said. “And there’s no limitation on how strong I can be.” 

That mind-body mantra helped her secure a black belt in taekwondo more than a decade ago. It has also proven an integral part of leading the Clemson team that is responsible for addressing the growing demand for mental health services. Through hard work, perseverance and ongoing collaboration, she was opened up to new and different ways of using technology to serve struggling students.

“The learning curve for how to best assist those in distress remotely, it has been steep,” Gainor recalled of the early days of implementing telehealth at Clemson. “We were patient with each other as colleagues, and our clients were patient with us, and we all were able to engage in new ways.”

Today, her counselors are able to serve students seamlessly, in person and remotely, including at all of the University’s statewide Innovation Campuses. 

Birma Gainor sitting on a rock, wearing her martial arts uniform.
Birma Gainor has a black belt in taekwondo and is one step below in Cuong Nhu, a lesser-known martial art. The disciplines inform her work to address the growing need for mental health services at Clemson.

Just as martial arts requires equal parts discipline and patience, Gainor says these attributes also have proven essential to overcoming a variety of challenges — both in her professional life and her personal health journey. 

Gainor’s pursuit of martial arts dates back to when she was a doctoral student at the University of Georgia in the early 2000s, securing her black belt in taekwondo during that time. Today, she’s one step below a black belt in a lesser-known martial art: Cuong Nhu. The philosophy behind the study of Cuong Nhu is one of continual self-improvement, community service and respect for others. 

Gainor has earned her second black stripe in Cuong Nhu, and now that she’s on the other side of health concerns, she plans to keep working toward her black belt.

 “It is not competing with other people. It’s not trying to achieve some stretch goal. It is within your own ability and your own learning,” she said.

Translated, Cuong Nhu means “hard-soft.” It blends forceful and striking moves (those that require greater strength) with more passive ones (those that deflect) that use the attacker’s force against him or her. Personal growth and community mentorship also are key parts of attaining expertise.

And now her 10-year-old daughter is pursuing the mind-body discipline. 

“We must anchor ourselves to wellness,” Gainor said. “Part of the challenge of working in mental health is advocating for and representing communities that might not traditionally seek mental health services. It’s almost magical in the way this transition is happening. 

“You have a rich tapestry to start drawing from because the change is so big,” she said. “There’s the potential to do big things. I say, let’s see what we can do.”


Recommended Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Clemson World!