My educational and career goals are to obtain my Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a focus on chronic illnesses, specifically connective tissue diseases. I hope to contribute to foundational research concerning mental health with chronic diseases and the genetic factors that may contribute to mental health problems and disorders with connective tissue diseases. I understand there is not enough psychological research on certain chronic illnesses. I hope to work to add to that understanding and work with researchers with similar research goals and interests. I believe that with my diligence, there can be a broader discussion on genetic mental health issues with connective tissue diseases, and there can be further discovery on the consequences of mental health issues with chronic illnesses. With my Ph.D. in clinical psychology, I hope to work as a therapist for individuals struggling with chronic illnesses. I have known since I was 12 that being a therapist was the path I wanted to follow. I hope that by contributing to an underrepresented research interest, I can make a difference for other individuals with chronic illnesses and open up a space of open discussion for mental health problems with disease. I have thoroughly enjoyed my education at Texas Tech and learned much from my outstanding professors in the psychology department. I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to learn.