I have always been the confidant. Compassion, empathy and a strong desire to help others are natural aptitudes that have played a key role in my life. As a high school student, I had the opportunity to help a friend through a deep and potentially life-altering crisis. This experience solidified my desire to help people and to learn more about how people think and behave. As a high school graduate searching for a job, I had what was a seemingly inconsequential conversation, which proved pivotal in steering me towards my passion and life’s work. This conversation led to a temporary position at Nell Medical group, a local psychiatric practice. This opportunity quickly evolved into becoming the office manager for Nell Medical Group, a position I have held for five and half years. Deep engagement with the psychiatrist, psychologist and patients in our practice has given me rich and invaluable experience. I have persevered with dedication and innovated in the midst of challenges to help a young practice become a thriving practice that has helped hundreds of people. This position has given me a very realistic expectation of what is involved in a mental health career. My work at Nell Medical Group was concurrent with my undergraduate studies at UTSA and I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts - Double Major in Psychology and Communication in 2019. My undergraduate studies have prepared me well. The medical professionals I am privileged to work with have become mentors and have encouraged my growth at every turn. I have been able to take things I have learned about psychology and communication and apply them directly to my work at Nell Medical Group. Additionally, my work has given me exposure to a vast array of experiences that would be hard to learn from a book; these invaluable experiences and insights will inform my graduate studies. Towards the end of high school and into college, I had my own struggles with mental health. In this regard, I can easily relate to others struggling with their mental health. On the other hand, I wonder if my own experiences may limit my ability to understand or recognize alternate presentations and treatment plans. I do not want to limit others to the way I struggled, dealt with my struggle and learned how to heal; but rather have an open and understanding mindset to struggles and solutions that I never experienced. I've learned that everyone's struggle with mental health looks different. I will not treat every client the same and try to fit them into a mental health cookie cutter mold - this would be unfair, ineffective, and unethical. It is of vital importance to listen and validate each person's individual experiences and struggles with mental health. Not only do their experiences look different, but their journey toward stability and good mental health will most likely vary as well. My goal is to pursue a career in clinical mental health counseling. My passion for this work is a rich combination of my aptitudes, education and work experience. My earnest desire is to work hard and be a life-long learner in order to help others reach their full potential.

I have always been the confidant. Compassion, empathy and a strong desire to help others are natural aptitudes that have played a key role in my life. As a high school student, I had the opportunity to help a friend through a deep and potentially life-altering crisis. This experience solidified my desire to help people and to learn more about how people think and behave. As a high school graduate searching for a job, I had what was a seemingly inconsequential conversation, which proved pivotal in steering me towards my passion and life’s work. This conversation led to a temporary position at Nell Medical group, a local psychiatric practice. This opportunity quickly evolved into becoming the office manager for Nell Medical Group, a position I have held for five and half years. Deep engagement with the psychiatrist, psychologist and patients in our practice has given me rich and invaluable experience. I have persevered with dedication and innovated in the midst of challenges to help a young practice become a thriving practice that has helped hundreds of people. This position has given me a very realistic expectation of what is involved in a mental health career. My work at Nell Medical Group was concurrent with my undergraduate studies at UTSA and I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts - Double Major in Psychology and Communication in 2019. My undergraduate studies have prepared me well. The medical professionals I am privileged to work with have become mentors and have encouraged my growth at every turn. I have been able to take things I have learned about psychology and communication and apply them directly to my work at Nell Medical Group. Additionally, my work has given me exposure to a vast array of experiences that would be hard to learn from a book; these invaluable experiences and insights will inform my graduate studies. My goal is to pursue a career in clinical mental health counseling. My passion for this work is a rich combination of my aptitudes, education and work experience. My earnest desire is to work hard and be a life-long learner in order to help others reach their full potential.