“The scars we can’t see often shape us the most.” This quote perfectly captures the reality of early childhood developmental trauma. The experiences children go through in their earliest years whether loving or painful have a lasting impact on how they view themselves and the world around them. When those early experiences involve neglect, abuse, or instability, the effects can reach deep into a person’s emotional and psychological development. These invisible wounds often manifest later in life through difficulties trusting others, regulating emotions, maintaining relationships, or experiencing a sense of self-worth. Early childhood trauma doesn’t just affect how someone feels; it can also alter how the brain develops. Research shows that children exposed to chronic stress or unsafe environments often have overactive stress responses and underdeveloped emotional regulation skills. This can lead to anxiety, depression, or behavioral challenges as they grow older. Without proper support, these children may carry feelings of fear and insecurity into adulthood. Sadly, many never receive the help they need, continuing the cycle of pain that began in their earliest years. As a psychology major with the goal of becoming a therapist, I want to help break that cycle. My mission is to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can confront their past without judgment and begin the healing process. I believe that therapy can be a powerful tool for helping individuals understand how their early experiences shaped them and learn healthy ways to cope and grow. By helping people rebuild trust, process emotions, and develop self-compassion, I hope to guide them toward healing and resilience. My passion for this work comes from personal experience. Growing up, I faced my own version of childhood instability. My mother struggled with substance abuse, and as a result, I was raised by other family members who had their own responsibilities and struggles. As the youngest sibling, I often felt overlooked not out of a lack of love, but because everyone was simply trying to survive their own battles. That sense of being unseen made me more observant, more empathetic, and more determined to be someone others could depend on. Over time, I became “the shoulder everyone could cry on,” the listener who could understand without judgment. Those experiences shaped my desire to study psychology and become a therapist. I want to be the person I needed when I was younger, someone who can remind others that their pain doesn’t define them and that healing is always possible. I know firsthand that trauma doesn’t disappear on its own; it takes patience, care, and understanding to work through it. My goal is to use my education and compassion to help others rewrite their stories and find strength in their vulnerability. Early childhood trauma may leave lasting scars, but those scars can also tell a story of survival and growth. I want to dedicate my career to helping people transform their pain into power, showing them that while the past cannot be changed, the future can always be healed.

In the future, I plan to become a licensed therapist specializing in trauma and youth mental health. I want to create safe spaces where people, especially young Black individuals feel seen, heard, and understood. Mental health has been overlooked in many Black communities for far too long, often replaced with silence or stigma. I aim to help break that cycle, one conversation at a time. I want to provide not just therapy, but hope by opening up access, sharing resources, and being a consistent presence in the lives of those who need it most. Being Black to me means resilience, culture, and legacy. It means carrying generations of strength while also choosing to heal from the pain that strength sometimes had to hide. It means knowing I come from greatness, even when the world tries to make me forget. It’s rhythm, brilliance, creativity, and survival all woven into who I am. I chose to attend an HBCU because I wanted to be in an environment that values my identity rather than tolerates it. I didn’t want to shrink or defend myself constantly, I wanted to grow. At an HBCU, I’m surrounded by people who look like me, uplift me, and challenge me. It’s more than just education, it’s empowerment. It’s learning who I am and how powerful that truly is.

Helping others heal has always been more than a passion it’s my purpose. From a young age, I’ve been drawn to understanding people’s emotions, behaviors, and the unspoken struggles they carry. As I approach graduation with a degree in psychology within the next four years, I know that my educational journey isn’t ending here it’s only just beginning. I plan to continue my education by pursuing a master’s degree in clinical psychology, with the ultimate goal of becoming a licensed therapist. I want to be the person that people can turn to during their most vulnerable moments someone who not only listens, but truly understands. My interest in psychology grew stronger as I began to see how mental health shapes every part of a person’s life how trauma, stress, and emotional wounds often go untreated, and unrecognized especially in underserved communities. Coming from a background where mental health was rarely discussed, I’ve witnessed firsthand how silence and stigma can hold people back from healing. That’s one of the reasons I’ve become so committed to breaking that cycle. I want to help people feel seen, supported, and empowered, especially those who often go unnoticed in the system. Continuing my education is not just about earning a higher degree it’s about preparing myself to make a real difference. A graduate program will give me the clinical knowledge, research experience, and hands-on training I need to confidently support others through their healing journeys. I’m particularly interested in studying trauma-informed care, culturally responsive therapy, and adolescent mental health, because these areas align with the work I hope to do in the future. I also view continued education as a way to grow personally and professionally. I’ve always been a driven, self-motivated learner, and I believe there’s always more to discover about the mind, about others, and about myself. A master’s program will challenge me to think critically, expand my perspective, and refine the tools I’ll use in my future career. In the end, my goal isn’t just to become a therapist, it’s to become a source of hope and healing for those who need it most. I want to be the person who creates a safe space where others feel understood, valued, and empowered to work through life’s challenges. Mental health care should be accessible, compassionate, and culturally informed, and I plan to dedicate my career to making that a reality. Continuing my education after graduation is the next step toward that goal. I’m ready to take it with full intention, purpose, and heart.

Charity is important to me because I know what it’s like to grow up needing help. My mother struggled with substance abuse and was incarcerated when I was young, which led to me being raised by my great-grandmother. While she provided me with love, strength, and guidance, we still faced financial and emotional hardships. At times, we depended on the kindness of others—whether it was through school programs, donated supplies, or community resources. Those small acts of charity made a big difference and helped me feel seen and supported. To me, charity is about more than money—it’s about connection, compassion, and creating opportunities for others. It’s about showing people that they matter, especially when they’re going through hard times. These values have stayed with me and inspired my decision to pursue a degree in Psychology with the goal of becoming a child therapist. In the future, I plan to give back by working with children and families who’ve experienced trauma, instability, or mental health challenges—particularly in underserved communities. I want to provide culturally competent care and be part of the solution in improving access to therapy for African American families. I also hope to mentor young people with similar backgrounds and let them know they’re not alone. I believe that giving back is both a responsibility and an honor. I’ve been blessed to overcome adversity, and I plan to use my experiences, education, and heart to help others rise above their circumstances, too.

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the effects of substance abuse and how it can tear families apart. My mother struggled with addiction and was incarcerated during my early childhood. Because of this, I was raised by my great-grandmother, who became the one stable, loving force in my life. Her strength and guidance gave me a sense of security and purpose, but the emotional impact of growing up without my mother left a lasting impression on me. Although I was not physically present for every moment of my mother’s battle, I lived through the consequences, I faced the emotional confusion, the loss of connection, and the stigma attached to having a parent with an addiction. I also saw how the system often fails women like my mother how cycles of trauma, poverty, and untreated mental health issues are rarely addressed with compassion or understanding. Instead of support, they are often met with judgment or punishment. These experiences inspired me to pursue a degree in Psychology with the goal of becoming a child and family therapist. I want to be someone who not only helps children who’ve experienced trauma but also works with families especially African American women, who are navigating the aftermath of substance abuse and domestic violence. I believe that with the right care, education, and emotional support, healing is possible for any and every individual. But to truly change outcomes, we must do more than offer services, we need to improve how those services are delivered, positive interactions, genuine concern and care, and instilling confidence in everyone we come across and interact with. Through higher education, I plan to develop the skills and knowledge needed to advocate for more trauma informed, culturally competent mental health care. I want to work in communities that are often overlooked and provide therapy that acknowledges both the personal and systemic challenges African American women face. My goal is to help improve coordination between therapists, caseworkers, and community programs so that women and their families receive consistent, compassionate care. I also want to create safe spaces where women feel empowered to share their stories and begin to heal without shame or feeling judged. Ultimately, I hope to be part of a movement that shifts the way we talk about addiction and domestic violence one that centers healing, dignity, and hope, especially for Black women and children who deserve more than just survival, they deserve to thrive.

My name is Lashawn Pointer, and I am a Psychology major with aspirations of becoming a child therapist. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where my childhood was shaped by hardship, resilience, and the unconditional love of my great grandmother. My mother battled substance abuse and was incarcerated during my early years, which meant my great grandmother stepped in to raise me. She was my rock the person who instilled in me the importance of education, discipline, and doing the right thing, even when life gets hard. When she passed away during my junior year of high school, I was devastated. It felt like the world stopped, but it also reminded me of why I had to keep going. Her strength lived on in me, and that experience pushed me to take my education and future seriously. I realized then that I wanted to use my story not as something to hide from, but as a tool to help others especially children who might be growing up with similar struggles. This is what led me to major in Psychology. I’ve always had a desire to understand human behavior, especially the emotional and mental development of children. I know from experience that having just one supportive adult can make all the difference in a child’s life. My goal is to become a licensed child therapist and work with kids facing trauma, loss, or instability. I want to create safe, affirming spaces for children to talk about their feelings and learn how to heal. As a student athlete, I’ve also learned valuable life skills like perseverance, time management, and leadership. Balancing sports and academics has taught me how to stay focused and push through even when things get difficult. I plan to bring that same energy and determination into my career as a therapist and advocate for youth mental health. My long term goal is not just to help individual children, but to contribute to a larger change. My goal is to promote mental health awareness in underserved communities and helping to break the stigma surrounding therapy. I believe my purpose is to turn my pain into purpose and help others do the same. To show that it’s possible to come from a negative environment and still become something better and flourish. Through my studies and future career, I am committed to making a lasting and positive impact on the world.