What brought you to LCA, and how has LCA shaped who you are today?
My parents had a desire for me to get a strong education that is anchored in Christ. I had a lot of difficulty transitioning from my previous school, but I ultimately feel very grateful that they made the decision. I believe LCA encouraged my motivation to help others and gave me a chance to grow academically and spiritually. I am very thankful for the education I received at LCA as I saw how helpful it was throughout my college and graduate experiences.
Which faculty members impacted you the most while here?
There were many faculty members that had a strong impact on me! Angie Weyler’s theology classes were especially memorable for me as I was struck by her passion for community service and humanitarian aid. I appreciated all of my LCA English teachers for preparing me for all the writing I would do for college and in my master’s program. I also appreciated Chip VanderBrug, Amy Chaney, and Mr. Lam for the art education I received. I enjoyed my science classes with Irene Campbell and Kathy Oliver a great deal as well as their classes helped in some of my college psychology courses.
What activities were you involved in while a student?
I have always been very passionate about the arts so I was very involved in the LCA art department. I loved all the painting classes I took and the independent study/portfolio class that helped build my arts portfolio for college. I also remember that I really enjoyed the interim classes offered once a year. My favorites were pen-turning (I still use the pens I made) and Korean language and culture (I still make a Korean recipe I learned in the class).
How has your faith impacted your life and career after graduating LCA?
My faith has impacted me in that it serves as a foundation of peace and strength in my life. As a therapist, I have witnessed a lot of brokenness and evidence of a world in need of God’s love and grace. It is only through God’s strength that I can be a support to others as He is the ultimate healer. I went through ups and downs of being near and far from God, but discovered that the work I do requires a persistent closeness with Him. When I was younger, I would have never in a million years seen myself as a therapist because I was quite shy around new people, but I believe God called me to this work and has given me resilience to overcome my nervousness.
What college did you attend and what inspired you to choose your major?
I attended Gordon College and double majored in fine art and psychology. I recall that I was not certain what I wanted to do as a career. I actually did not make up my mind on vocation until my third year of college! However, when I first chose my majors, I knew that I loved the arts and I was fascinated with psychology, so it seemed like a good place to start.
Tell us about what you currently do for work and the road to your current career.
I am a licensed mental health counselor and art therapist. I have done group therapy and individual therapy with people of all ages and various populations. Right now, I mostly do individual therapy with teens and college-aged clients, but I work with a wide range of ages. Some of my professors at Gordon College had guest speakers and internship opportunities that introduced me to art therapy and counseling as a career choice. Very shortly after graduating college, I applied to Lesley University’s master’s program in clinical mental health counseling/art therapy. During my master’s program, I did an internship at a therapeutic after-school program and my practicum was at a non-profit that provided pro bono counseling and legal services for families experiencing homelessness. After graduating with my master’s, I worked as a master’s level therapist until recently meeting the requirements for counseling licensure in Massachusetts (LMHC). My first job started in 2020, which was quite challenging and tested my faith a great deal. I learned a lot at my first job, however I realized I was experiencing burnout and needed a change. I switched to work at Harbor Christian Counseling, which is where I currently work.
If you could offer just one piece of career advice with today’s students or something that you wish you had known before graduating, what would it be?
Be gracious to yourself and lean into your strengths. I feel like I put a lot of academic pressure on myself to know exactly what I wanted to do as a career during high school. In the same way, I’ve noticed that many of today’s students experience increased internal and external pressure for perfection in their academic careers. Take some time to notice and appreciate your strengths. It is helpful to work on areas of development, but remember to acknowledge what you are doing well and recognize traits that could serve you or others around you. I have to admit, I struggled with academics at times. I focused on my perceived faults so much when I was younger that I did not appreciate my personal strengths that would later serve as a foundation to my career.
What are the most challenging aspects of your current job?
One of the most challenging parts of my job is practicing self-care. I underestimated its importance during my first job out of my graduate program. Because I did not set aside time to care for my own needs, I became burnt out prioritizing the needs of others. Being a therapist requires setting compassionate boundaries with yourself and others. By doing this, you can best serve your clients by deliberately attending to your own emotional and spiritual needs.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is seeing personal growth in the people I work with. Sometimes we don’t see our own growth happening over time. However, I get the chance to see different “chapters” of a person’s life which makes the change more apparent. I also enjoy the problem-solving aspect of therapy. I like walking alongside someone to help them untangle the parts of their lives that feel messy or frustrating. I also like celebrating with them when they’ve successfully tried something out of their comfort zone. Lastly, I truly enjoy learning new therapy skills. An LMHC requires continuing education to keep their license and I feel excited when I see a course that could possibly help my clients.
What would you say are the top requirements (skills, mind-set, etc.) for someone entering this line of work?
I would say the top skills are empathy, patience, and the ability to appear calm and collected. This job also requires a great deal of humility and flexibility. You will meet many different people with different experiences and needs. Sometimes you have to admit that someone’s need is not within your repertoire and help them find a therapist that’s a better fit. You also have to be flexible in that you can prepare for a therapy session, but someone might come in with a totally different goal than you had anticipated. There is also a lot of writing in the form of notes, letters, and documentation.
What are you most grateful for from your time at LCA?
I am grateful that LCA served as a basis for professional, academic, and spiritual growth in my life. The skills I learned at LCA followed me into college, my graduate program, and beyond. I appreciate all the teachers I had and the skills I learned. I am also grateful for LCA introducing me to some of my closest friends.
Are there any reflections you would like to add?
I feel like I could have definitely made things easier on myself at LCA if I had learned to be more open to asking for help when I had trouble with assignments. Learn from my mistakes and grow more comfortable asking for support if there’s a topic you need help with!
