Perseverance. Resilience. Determination. These words have been sown into the fabric of my being from early in my life and have fueled my continuous pursuit of knowledge and achievement despite significant physical challenges that have sometimes seemed insurmountable. I first began to have migraines at the age of 19 that were so severe I was hospitalized six times. I fought not only to stay in medical school at Georgetown but also to demand excellence of myself. After finishing at the top of my class, I completed a residency in pediatrics and opened my own practice. Then, a few years into my practice, I was struck with crippling fibromyalgia. It would have been easy to quit and lie in bed, but I knew that was not who I was. I went to PT daily for months and stayed active. Ultimately, I went into remission and became a competitive sprint triathlete and equestrian. Unfortunately, my health was short-lived, as I began to have significant GI issues, misdiagnosed for almost ten years. I went from 115 pounds to 98 pounds and had to have multiple iron and blood transfusions. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with a lesser-known form of inflammatory bowel disease and immunoglobulinemia. Finally on my feet again, I was then hit with new symptoms that left me fainting on standing and unable to sustain physical activity. I came home from two weeks at the Mayo Clinic without a diagnosis. I was determined to figure it out and threw my intellect and determination into finding an answer and treatment, once again refusing to accept my fate. I discovered that it was postural orthostatic hypotension (POTS) related to fibromyalgia. Years later, I would come to realize that it was also linked to years of narcissistic abuse I endured in my twenty-five-year marriage. Last year, I almost died from a DVT and a saddle pulmonary embolism. The search for a cause resulted in a diagnosis of lupus. Once again, I saw the diagnosis not as an excuse to pull back from living but as a challenge to surmount and thrive. I have recently completed months in a treatment facility for trauma. I was struck by the impact of quality individual and group therapy on my healing and the healing of those around me. My final project for the trauma group was a medical body map. It took me two full days to present. My body map also highlighted many non-autoimmune illnesses and injuries. I was struck by my resilience in the face of all I had been through. My peers, who knew me to be empathetic, engaged, joyful, and inspiring, couldn't believe it all, nor could they believe the amount of chronic pain with which I lived. My life experiences have strengthened me and led me to a new sense of purpose in helping people heal from trauma. Medical trauma is underrecognized and undertreated. I am currently pursuing a master's in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in trauma. My entrepreneurial spirit and vision are alive once again. I have decided to move to the mountains of NC and purchase land to build my home, an office with room for holistic experiences, and a farm where I can blend my knowledge and love of horses and psychology to provide equine-assisted psychotherapy. I have turned my suffering into a vision for empowering others, and my life experiences have a powerful new meaning. As Viktor Frankl, psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, stated, "In some ways, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds meaning."

I have been a pediatrician in practice for 25 years and specialize in developmental-behavioral pediatrics and child/adolescent psychiatry. I had the honor of training under some of the best in their fields. Throughout my career, I have encountered many with mental illness either as a primary or secondary diagnosis. I have worked to build a rapport with my patients and their families and meet them where they are. People need to feel heard and have their concerns validated. Cookie-cutter treatment plans that don't take into consideration the whole context of the patient and their families are problematic at best. I have also experienced first-hand the power and efficacy of highly qualified mental health services. I have dealt with depression on and off and have just recently completed months of treatment at a trauma-informed program. I was fortunate to have one of the leading trauma therapists in the country and I witnessed the power of individual and group therapy when provided competently. I was able to process events from my childhood as well as from years of narcissistic emotional abuse in my marriage in a safe, supportive environment. I have found that most therapists who say they specialize in trauma have little to no specific training. This leads not only to sub-par service provision, but their uninformed approach can paradoxically be a detriment to their patients. When I looked at what I do for a living, I concluded that when I am providing counseling and education I am "in the zone" and filling a crucial gap. My knowledge of mental health disorders and psychotropic medications will be invaluable. I am pursuing a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in trauma and addiction. Ultimately, I would like to pursue further trauma training to include TF-CBT, EMDR, and somatic experiencing therapy to provide individual and group therapy as well as family sessions. I am also pursuing certification in equine-assisted psychotherapy through EAGALA. I am a competitive equestrian and horse owner. I have experienced the power communing with these majestic animals can be for myself and others and I want to share that experience with patients. My experience raising my autistic son also gives me a huge advantage. I threw myself into learning all I could about ABA and other behavioral modification strategies and learned a lot about how to relate to those on the spectrum. In my practice, I have treated many with autism for comorbid mental health issues and understand the unique challenges of this population I have an interest in trauma treatment in the autism population which has a much higher prevalence of abuse and trauma but is underrepresented in data looking at actual provision of counseling services. I look forward to one day being a part of furthering evidence-based therapeutic approaches for people with ASD and PTSD/CPTSD. I recently bought a large tract of land on the edge of Appalachia in the mountains of NC. The property has panoramic views of the mountains and I felt an immediate sense of peace and awe and wanted to share that with my clients and the community. I have the space for a future women's residential facility. In addition to not working and paying for school, I will be putting my own money into creating this new facility and therefore could benefit from the funds offered in your scholarship. Thank you for considering my application. Mental health is such an important issue and it will take changes at all levels to address it. I look forward to doing my part.

I have been a pediatrician in practice for 25 years and specialize in developmental-behavioral pediatrics and child/adolescent psychiatry. I was honored to train under some of the best in their fields. Throughout my career, I have encountered many with mental illness, either as a primary or secondary diagnosis. I work to build a rapport with my patients and their families to get their buy-in to the treatment plan. I meet people where they are. People need to feel heard and have their concerns validated. Cookie-cutter treatment plans that don't consider the patient's context are misguided. I have personally benefited from quality mental health services. Recently, I completed months of treatment at a trauma-informed program. I had a leading trauma therapist and witnessed the power of individual, group, and family therapy when provided competently. I was able to process events from my childhood as well as from years of narcissistic emotional abuse in my marriage in a safe, supportive environment. I have found that most therapists who say that they specialize in trauma have little to no specific training. This leads to sub-par service provision, and their uninformed approach can paradoxically be a detriment to their patients. During my time in treatment, I began to evaluate what I did for a living, what I loved the most, and how I could go on to make the most significant difference in the world. I concluded that I am at my best when counseling and educating my patients and families. I was also keenly aware that the need for competent trauma therapists is considerable. It was after this evaluation and reflection on my abilities and interests that I decided to become a trauma therapist. As I pursue a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in trauma and addiction, I am aware that my expertise with psychotropic medications, as well as psychiatric and psychological diagnoses and treatment, gives me a crucial advantage. My training as a scientist-practitioner will be invaluable in evaluating the literature, practicing evidence-based therapies, and helping shape the future of therapeutic interventions for the populations I serve. I am also pursuing certification in equine-assisted psychotherapy through EAGALA. I am a competitive equestrian and horse owner. I have seen how powerful communing with these majestic animals can be for myself and others. I want to share that experience with clients. Being around horses was so helpful for my daughter, who struggled with ADHD, and my autistic son. My experience with my son taught me invaluable lessons. I threw myself into learning all I could about autism and ABA therapy and learned how to relate to these incredible people. Addressing comorbid mental health issues in this population was a large part of my practice. Sadly, there is an even more alarming scarcity of therapists who can treat PTSD in the autism population, and I am interested in and uniquely situated to fill that need in my practice. I am pursuing a master's in mental health because I believe that people need and deserve access to highly qualified providers. People deserve to be seen and related to as people and not just as diagnoses. I recently bought a large tract of land on the edge of Appalachia in the mountains of NC to start my holistic practices and have a vision to create a trauma-informed women's residential facility there. I appreciate your consideration of my application. I am motivated to make a significant difference in my community. This is an important issue that will take changes at all levels to address. I look forward to doing my part.

I have been a pediatrician in practice for 25 years and specialize in developmental-behavioral pediatrics and child/adolescent psychiatry. I was honored to train under some of the best in their fields. Throughout my career, I have encountered many with mental illness, either as a primary or secondary diagnosis. I work to build a rapport with my patients and their families to get their buy-in to the treatment plan. I meet people where they are. People need to feel heard and have their concerns validated. Cookie-cutter treatment plans that don't consider the patient's context are misguided. The issue of mental health has touched me personally in several ways. My mother suffered from untreated depression, anxiety, and panic disorder as I was growing up, and it greatly affected my childhood. In her later years, she suffered a stroke and developed dementia. I have had to push her doctors to recognize and treat her comorbid depression. When I was in college, my boyfriend committed suicide. Quality therapy made a difference for me. I also have a brother who has struggled for years with depression, anxiety, and alcoholism. He had been openly suicidal off and on for 20 years and had made two genuine attempts to end his life. I have worked tirelessly to get him appropriate care. I won't ever stop fighting for him. I have also personally benefited from quality mental health services. Recently, I completed months of treatment at a trauma-informed program. I had a leading trauma therapist and witnessed the power of individual, group, and family therapy when provided competently. I was able to process events from my childhood as well as from years of narcissistic emotional abuse in my marriage in a safe, supportive environment. I have found that most therapists who say that they specialize in trauma have little to no specific training. This leads to sub-par service provision, and their uninformed approach can paradoxically be a detriment to their patients. As I pursue a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in trauma and addiction, I am aware that my expertise with psychotropic medications, as well as psychiatric and psychological diagnoses and treatment, gives me a crucial advantage. Ultimately, I would like to pursue further trauma training to include EMDR and somatic experiencing therapy. I am also pursuing certification in equine-assisted psychotherapy through EAGALA. I am a competitive equestrian and horse owner. I have seen how powerful communing with these majestic animals can be for myself and others, and I want to share that experience with patients. Being around horses was so helpful for my daughter, who struggled with ADHD, and my autistic son as well. My experience with my son taught me invaluable lessons. I threw myself into learning all I could about ABA and learned how to relate to these incredible people. Addressing comorbid mental health issues in this population was a large part of my practice. I am pursuing a master's in mental health because I believe that people need and deserve access to highly qualified providers. People deserve to be seen and related to as people and not just diagnoses. I recently bought a large tract of land on the edge of Appalachia in the mountains of NC to start my practice, which will be holistic. I appreciate your consideration of my application. I want to make a more significant difference in my community. This is an important issue that will take changes at all levels to address. I look forward to doing my part.

I have been a pediatrician in practice for 25 years and specialize in developmental-behavioral pediatrics and child/adolescent psychiatry. I have always had an interest in and aptitude for psychology and psychiatry. I had the honor of training under some of the best in their fields. Throughout my career, I have encountered many with mental illness either as a primary or secondary diagnosis. I work to build a rapport with my patients and their families to get their buy-in to the treatment plan. I meet people where they are. People need to feel heard and have their concerns validated. Cookie-cutter treatment plans that don't take into consideration the developmental stage of the patient, the socio-economic and cultural context as well as the potential mental health diagnoses of the parent, are doomed to failure. The issue of mental health has touched me personally in several ways. My mother suffered from untreated depression, anxiety and panic disorder as I was growing up and it greatly affected my childhood. In her later years, she suffered a stroke and developed dementia. I have had to push her doctors to recognize and treat her comorbid depression. Years ago, when I was in college, my boyfriend committed suicide. It came as a complete shock to his family, but after his death, I was able to connect the dots and see the pattern that led him to make that ill-fated decision. I also have a brother who has struggled for years with depression, anxiety and alcoholism. He had been openly suicidal off and on for 20 years and had made 2 very real attempts to end his life. I have worked tirelessly to get him appropriate care. I won't ever stop fighting for him. He is finally in a good place and getting back to living a life filled with purpose, hopes and dreams. I have experienced first-hand the power and efficacy of highly qualified mental health services. I have just recently completed months of treatment at a facility in Florida for trauma. I was fortunate to have one of the leading trauma therapists in the country and I witnessed the power of individual, group and family therapy when provided competently. I was able to process events from my childhood as well as from years of narcissistic emotional abuse in my marriage in a safe, supportive environment. I have found that most therapists who say that they specialize in trauma have little to no specific training. This leads not only to sub-par service provision, but their uninformed approach can paradoxically be a detriment to their patients. When I looked at what I do for a living, I concluded that when I am providing counseling and education I am "in the zone" and filling a crucial gap. As I pursue a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in trauma and addiction, I am aware that my expertise with psychotropic medications as well as psychiatric and psychological diagnoses and treatment gives me a crucial advantage. Ultimately, I would like to pursue further trauma training to include Spirit- to-Spirit, EMDR and somatic experiencing therapy. During my time in trauma therapy, I was surrounded by many with dual diagnoses of PTSD and substance use disorders and saw how the two go hand in hand. I believe that a provider needs to have many tools in their toolbox and I look forward eagerly to expanding my knowledge and expertise. I am also pursuing certification in equine-assisted psychotherapy through EAGALA. I am a competitive equestrian and horse owner. I have seen how powerful communing with these majestic animals can be for myself and others and I want to share that experience with patients. Being around horses was so helpful for my daughter who struggled with ADHD and my autistic son as well. My daughter did not tolerate stimulants despite trying many of them when she was younger. Being around horses taught her to quiet her energy and body language and provided a physical outlet for all of her energy. She also thrived in the competitive environment and was able to feel a sense of pride and victory when school was so hard and a source of exhaustion. Years ago, I was also certified through PATH Intl to teach therapeutic riding and taught my son to ride when he was young. It was amazing to watch his interactions with the horses and to see incredible improvements in his truncal tone, gross and fine motor control, spatial awareness, processing speed and emotional regulation. My experience with my son also gives me a huge advantage. I stepped out of my practice for about 10 years after we adopted him and he was diagnosed with autism. I threw myself into learning all I could about ABA and learned how to relate to these amazing people. I worked with the director of developmental-behavioral pediatrics and the head of pediatric psychology to create a cutting-edge autism program. Ultimately, the program was such a success that we worked to export the program to other centers throughout the country. I am pursuing a career in mental health because I believe that people don't just need more access to mental health providers. They need and deserve access to highly qualified providers when they are in crisis. People deserve to be seen and related to as people and not just diagnoses. I recently bought a large tract of land on the edge of Appalachia in the mountains of NC on which to build my practice. I am considering building a residential facility for women to treat those with trauma and addiction. There is a paucity of quality programs that address these issues. Thank you for your consideration of my application. I am encouraged by those who have been affected by mental health and want to make a tangible difference in the community. This is such an important issue and it will take changes at all levels to address it. I look forward to doing my part.

I have been a pediatrician in practice for 25 years and specialize in developmental-behavioral pediatrics and child/adolescent psychiatry. I had the honor of training under some of the best in their fields. Throughout my career, I have encountered many with mental illness either as a primary or secondary diagnosis. I have worked to build a rapport with my patients and their families and meet them where they are. People need to feel heard and have their concerns validated. Cookie-cutter treatment plans that don't take into consideration the whole context of the patient and their families are problematic at best. I have also experienced first-hand the power and efficacy of highly qualified mental health services. I have dealt with depression on and off and have just recently completed months of treatment at a trauma-informed program. I was fortunate to have one of the leading trauma therapists in the country and I witnessed the power of individual and group therapy when provided competently. I was able to process events from my childhood as well as from years of narcissistic emotional abuse in my marriage in a safe, supportive environment. I have found that most therapists who say they specialize in trauma have little to no specific training. This leads not only to sub-par service provision, but their uninformed approach can paradoxically be a detriment to their patients. When I looked at what I do for a living, I concluded that when I am providing counseling and education I am "in the zone" and filling a crucial gap. I am pursuing a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in trauma and addiction. Ultimately, I would like to pursue further trauma training to include Spirit- to-Spirit, EMDR and somatic experiencing therapy to provide individual and group therapy as well as family sessions. I am also pursuing certification in equine-assisted psychotherapy through EAGALA. I am a competitive equestrian and horse owner. I have experienced the power communing with these majestic animals can be for myself and others and I want to share that experience with patients. My experience raising my autistic son also gives me a huge advantage. I threw myself into learning all I could about ABA and other behavioral modification strategies and learned a lot about how to relate to those on the spectrum. In my practice, I have treated many with autism for comorbid mental health issues and understand the unique challenges of this population. I am pursuing a master's in mental health counseling because people need and deserve access to highly qualified providers. I recently bought a large tract of land on the edge of Appalachia in the mountains of NC. The property has panoramic views of the mountains, trails through the woods, a creek and a pond that is stocked for fishing. I felt an immediate sense of peace and awe and wanted to share that with my clients. I believe in a holistic approach to mental health. I am going to offer massage, acupuncture, yoga, breathwork, mindfulness and meditation. I have the space for a future women's residential facility. In addition to not working and paying for school, I will be taking a major pay cut to work as a therapist. I will also be putting my own money into creating this new facility and therefore could benefit from the funds offered in your scholarship. Thank you for your consideration of my application. This is such an important issue and it will take changes at all levels to address it. I look forward to doing my part.

My mental health is important for several reasons. First, I understand how intimately connected mental and physical health are and I have suffered greatly from declines in both in the past. I learned a lot about how the body keeps the score during my months of trauma therapy and about the cumulative nature of trauma and stress and its effect on a person. I have suffered with migraines and fibromyalgia in the past. It is keenly obvious to me that I must maintain both my physical and mental health so that I can be fully present and capable for my coursework, my family, friends and patients. I am all too aware that I cannot pour from an empty cup. As a creative person who loves expressing herself through writing and painting, I understand that this is a gift to be shared and the light that brings my creativity forth needs to be flamed and not smothered. I do a tremendous amount of volunteer and advocacy work and this would not be possible if I am not fit mentally and physically. And finally, I would not be able to be there for and enjoy my horses if I was not fit mentally. Since my experiences with them helps my mental health, it is crucial that I have the desire and energy to continue to interact with them fully. First and foremost, I maintain my mental health through regular appointments with my psychiatrist and psychologist. After completing months of trauma therapy under the care of one of the nation's best, I am also diligent in practicing breathwork, meditation, mindfulness and yoga each day. I enjoy spending time with my horses, and find equestrian competition something that not only keeps me physically fit, it challenges me mentally and intellectually. Communing with these majestic animals in nature is a source of awe and renewal. I enjoy hiking with my dog and son and love exploring new places. I love spending time with family and friends and consider it an honor and privilege to be there for them when they are in need. It is easy to slip into being self focused and problems can seem like mountains. Helping others gets me out of self and brings me perspective. I love to be with others and laugh! I live by myself as I am divorced and my children have grown, so I do a lot of things intentionally not to isolate, but to be productive in times of solitude. I nourish my faith daily and spend a fair amount of my free time learning or writing. I have also taken up oil painting in the past year and find that the creative expression and technical challenge keeps me sharp and brings me joy. I believe that life has to have meaning and that we must always be striving towards a goal. I have constant goals on many fronts be they spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, professional, relational or creative. All of these things are a constant source of perspective, renewal and gratitude.

I am a pediatrician in practice for 25 years and specialize in developmental-behavioral pediatrics and child/adolescent psychiatry. I had the honor of training under some of the best in their fields. Throughout my career, I have encountered many with mental illness either as a primary or secondary diagnosis. I have experience making diagnoses and developing unique treatment plans. I work hard to build a rapport with my patients and their families. I try my best to meet people where they are. Cookie-cutter treatment plans that don't take into consideration the developmental stage of the patient, the socio-economic and cultural context as well as the potential mental health diagnoses of the parent, are doomed to failure. I routinely assess both the patient and their families for strengths and weaknesses before initiating treatment. In an era when patients want the quick fix and doctors are in a rush to see as many patients as they can, I have been able to create a method of practice that does include medical management when necessary, but focuses much more attention on the need for therapy either in lieu of medication or in conjunction with it. The issue of mental health has touched me personally in several ways. My mother suffered from untreated depression, anxiety and panic disorder as I was growing up and it greatly affected my childhood. When I was in college, my boyfriend committed suicide. I also have a brother who has struggled for years with depression, anxiety and alcoholism. He has been openly suicidal off and on for 20 years and has made 2 very real attempts to end his life. I have fought for him to get ECT, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy and finally admitted to Sheppard Pratt, the country's top private psychiatric institution in the country. I won't ever stop fighting for him. He is finally in a good place and getting back to living a life filled with purpose, hopes and dreams. I have also experienced first-hand the power and efficacy of highly qualified mental health services. I have dealt with depression and have recently completed months of treatment at a facility in Florida for trauma. I was fortunate to have one of the leading trauma therapists in the country and I witnessed the power of individual and group therapy when provided competently. I have found that most therapists who say that they specialize in trauma have little to no specific training. This leads not only to sub-par service provision, but their uninformed approach can paradoxically be a detriment to their patients. When I looked at what I do for a living, I concluded that when I am providing counseling and education I am "in the zone" and filling a crucial gap. I have first-hand experience with things that other providers may have just read about during their coursework or when studying for licensure. As I pursue a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in trauma and addiction, I am aware of the fact that my knowledge of psychotropic medications as well as psychiatric and psychological diagnoses and treatment gives me a crucial advantage. Ultimately, I would like to pursue further trauma training to include Spirit- to-Spirit, EMDR and somatic experiencing therapy as well as formal addiction training. During my time in trauma therapy, I was surrounded by many with dual diagnoses of PTSD and mental illness as well as substance use disorders and process addictions. These go hand in hand. I have known several people who have gone to rehab for their addiction but never had their trauma or mental illness addressed. Unfortunately, many went on to relapse relatively quickly after completing treatment. I believe firmly that a provider needs to have many tools in their toolbox and I look forward eagerly to expanding my knowledge and expertise. I am also pursuing certification in equine-assisted psychotherapy through EAGALA. I am a competitive equestrian and horse owner. I have seen how powerful communing with these majestic animals can be for myself and others and I want to share that experience with patients. Being around horses was so helpful for my daughter who struggled with ADHD and my autistic son as well. Interacting with the horses taught my daughter in a non-judgmental way that she had to quiet her energy as the horses reflected what she was putting out. I was also certified through PATH Intl to teach therapeutic riding and taught my son to ride when he was young. It was amazing to watch his interactions with the horses and to see the incredible improvements in his truncal tone, gross and fine motor control, spatial awareness, processing speed and emotional regulation. My experience with my son also gives me a huge advantage. I stepped out of my practice for about 10 years after we adopted him and he was diagnosed with autism. I threw myself into learning all I could about ABA and other behavioral modification strategies. My son deals with co-morbid depression and anxiety as well. This experience led me to focus on older children and young adults on the spectrum that had similar struggles when I went back into clinical practice. It is a vastly underserved population. I am pursuing a career in mental health because I believe that people don't just need more access to mental health providers. They need and deserve access to highly qualified providers when they are in crisis. My dream is to buy a large tract of land on the edge of Appalachia in the mountains of NC and provide individual, group and equine-assisted therapy. I have even considered creating a residential facility to treat those with trauma, mental illness, substance addiction and other process addictions. There is a paucity of programs in the Carolinas that address these issues competently. I am constantly looking at where I can use my knowledge, experience, and love of learning to make a difference.

I am a pediatrician in practice for 25 years and specialize in developmental-behavioral pediatrics and child/adolescent psychiatry. I have always had an interest in and aptitude for psychology and psychiatry. I had the honor of training under some of the best in their fields. Throughout my career, I have encountered many with mental illness either as a primary or secondary diagnosis. I have experience making diagnoses and developing unique treatment plans. I also work to build a rapport with my patients and their families to get their buy-in to the treatment plan. I try my best to meet people where they are. Many need to feel heard and have their concerns validated. Cookie-cutter treatment plans that don't take into consideration the developmental stage of the patient, the socio-economic and cultural context as well as the potential mental health diagnoses of the parent, are doomed to failure. I routinely assess both the patient and their families for strengths and weaknesses before initiating treatment. In an era when patients want the quick fix and doctors are in a rush to see as many patients as they can, I have been able to create a method of practice that does include medical management when necessary, but focuses much more attention on the need for therapy either in lieu of medication or in conjunction with it. I am also keenly aware of the shortage of competent mental health professionals and have made many changes to the way I provide services to increase access to those in need in the Medicaid population. I have practiced as a sub-specialist within the general setting to facilitate access and decrease wait times for appointments. The issue of mental health has touched me personally in several ways. My mother suffered from untreated depression, anxiety and panic disorder as I was growing up and it greatly affected my childhood. In her later years, she suffered a stroke and developed dementia. I have had to push her doctors to see and treat her comorbid depression. Years ago, when I was in college, my boyfriend of a year and a half committed suicide. It came as a complete shock to his family, but after his death, I was able to connect the dots and see the pattern that led him to make that ill-fated decision. I also have a brother who has struggled for years with depression, anxiety and alcoholism. He has been openly suicidal off and on for 20 years and has made 2 very real attempts to end his life. In the past, I brought him down to SC to have ECT after failing medical management and have also gotten him admitted to Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore which is the country's top private psychiatric institution in the country. I won't ever stop fighting for him. He is finally in a good place and getting back to living a life filled with purpose, hopes and dreams. I have also experienced first-hand the power and efficacy of highly qualified mental health services. I have dealt with depression on and off and have just recently completed months of treatment at a facility in Florida for trauma. I entered the program broken, full of shame and hopeless for my future. I was fortunate to have one of the leading trauma therapists in the country and I witnessed the power of individual and group therapy when provided competently. I didn't have to rush back home for work or family and therefore was able to stay present month after month and dig into the work. I never asked when I was going to be done and just waited for the clinical team to make that decision. I was able to process events from my childhood as well as from years of narcissistic emotional abuse in my marriage in a safe, supportive environment. I have found that most therapists who say that they specialize in trauma have little to no specific training. This leads not only to sub-par service provision, but their uninformed approach can paradoxically be a detriment to their patients. When I looked at what I do for a living, I concluded that when I am providing counseling and education I am "in the zone" and filling a crucial gap. I have first-hand experience with things that other providers may have just read about during their coursework or when studying for licensure. As I pursue a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in trauma and addiction, I am aware of the fact that my knowledge of psychotropic medications as well as psychiatric and psychological diagnoses and treatment gives me a crucial advantage. Ultimately, I would like to pursue further trauma training to include Spirit- to-Spirit, EMDR and somatic experiencing therapy as well as formal addiction training. During my time in trauma therapy, I was surrounded by many with dual diagnoses of PTSD and substance use disorders and saw how the two go hand in hand. Before this experience, I have known several people who have gone to rehab for their addiction but never had their trauma or mental illness addressed. Unfortunately, many went on to relapse relatively quickly after completing treatment. I have studied widely and been exposed as a client to many different therapeutic modalities. I believe that a provider needs to have many tools in their toolbox and I look forward eagerly to expanding my knowledge and expertise. I am also pursuing certification in equine-assisted psychotherapy through EAGALA. I am a competitive equestrian and horse owner. I have seen how powerful communing with these majestic animals can be for myself and others and I want to share that experience with patients. Being around horses was so helpful for my daughter who struggled with ADHD and my autistic son as well. My daughter did not tolerate stimulants despite trying many of them when she was younger. Being around horses taught her to quiet her energy and body language and provided a physical outlet for all of her energy. She also thrived in the competitive environment and was able to feel a sense of pride and victory when school was so hard and a source of exhaustion. Years ago, I was also certified through PATH Intl to teach therapeutic riding and taught my son to ride when he was young. It was amazing to watch his interactions with the horses and to see incredible improvements in his truncal tone, gross and fine motor control, spatial awareness, processing speed and emotional regulation. My experience with my son also gives me a huge advantage. I stepped out of my practice for about 10 years after we adopted him and he was diagnosed with autism. I threw myself into learning all I could about ABA and other behavioral modification strategies. During this time when I was not practicing clinically, I worked with the director of developmental-behavioral pediatrics and the head of pediatric psychology to create a cutting-edge autism program that would address the backlog of patients on the waiting list. I was also part of outcome studies over the next several years. Ultimately, the program was such a success that we worked to export the program to other centers throughout the country. I also did a lot to affect policy and increase awareness and education in the community. I am pursuing a career in mental health because I believe that people don't just need more access to mental health providers. They need and deserve access to highly qualified providers when they are in crisis. I take my role extremely seriously and have always demanded much of myself regarding competency. My dream is to buy a large tract of land on the edge of Appalachia in the mountains of NC and provide individual, group and equine-assisted therapy. I have even considered creating a residential facility to treat those with trauma, addiction and other process addictions. There is a paucity of programs in the Carolinas that address these issues. I understand and have lectured about the grief cycle. The final step of acceptance for me means giving back and making a difference. I am constantly looking at where I can use my knowledge, experience and even finances to make a difference. I have done that as it concerns autism and child abuse/DV, and now I want to bring my recent experiences and knowledge to bear on the problem of mental health in my community. Thank you for your consideration of my application. I am encouraged by those who have been affected by mental health and want to make a tangible difference in the community. This is such an important issue and it will take changes at all levels to address it. Most great changes take small steps over time and I am determined to do what I can to add to the solution.

My mental health is important for several reasons. First, I understand how intimately connected mental and physical health are and I have suffered greatly from declines in both in the past. I learned a lot about how the body keeps the score during my months of trauma therapy and about the accumulative nature of trauma and its effect on a person. It is also keenly obvious to me that I must maintain both my physical and mental health in order to be fully present and capable for my family, friends and patients. As a creative person who loves expressing herself through writing and painting, I understand that this is a gift to be shared and the light that brings my creativity forth needs to be flamed and not smothered. I do a tremendous amount of volunteer and advocacy work and this would not be possible if I am not fit mentally and physically. And finally, I would not be able to be there for my animals or compete my horses if I was not fit mentally. Since my experiences with them helps my mental health, it is crucial that I have the desire and energy to continue to interact with them fully. First and foremost, I maintain my mental health through regular appointments with my psychiatrist and psychologist. After completing months of trauma therapy under the care of one of the nation's best, I am also diligent in practicing breathwork, meditation, mindfulness and yoga each day. I enjoy spending time with my horses, and find equestrian competition something that not only keeps me physically fit, it challenges me mentally and intellectually. Communing with these majestic animals in nature is a source of awe, gratitude and renewal. I enjoy hiking with my dog and son and love exploring new places. I love spending time with family and friends and consider it an honor and privilege to be there for them when they are in need. It is easy to slip into being self focused and problems can seem like mountains. Helping others gets me out of self and brings me perspective. I live by myself as I am divorced and my children have grown so I do a lot of things intentionally not to isolate, but to be productive in times of solitude. I nourish my faith daily and spend a fair amount of my free time learning or writing. I have also taken up oil painting in the past year and find that the creative expression and technical challenge keeps me sharp and brings me joy. I believe that life has to have meaning and that we must always be striving towards a goal. I have constant goals on many fronts be they spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, professional, relational or creative.