1. Psychology has fascinated me from an early age because I’ve always found people’s behavior to be confusing and contradictory. There were moments as a child where I would observe others in order to understand how to be accepted and was attuned to how others felt, particularly how situations and words had a strong impact on others. There were many instances where caregivers failed to provide my younger self with empathy, either because of their prejudices or their own lack of self-awareness, which created a lot of problems down the line. I can’t say I’ve fully healed, there are moments where I still must sit in introspection to understand habits that I may do unconsciously. However, this obstacle became a catalyst for me today and has made me a more tolerant and insightful person. They are traits that I take seriously in my caregiver role today as a mother of two, and which I know will serve me as a mental health therapist in the future. I want to be the kind of provider my younger self yearned for, and one that is capable of being sensitive to someone else that comes not from a place of judgment but of experience. 2. A significant change that I would apply to today’s mental healthcare landscape is making it more accessible to everyone, including underprivileged groups. Areas such as counseling, medication treatment, and the literature that helps point you in the right direction are tools that have become more readily available over time, with many schools providing resources you can reach out to. However, the availability and accessibility of any of these resources become obsolete if they can’t be properly accessed by the people that need them. For instance, when I was searching for treatment for my daughter, there was an abundance of local clinics and therapists in my area who were unable to help me because they didn’t accept my insurance. Instead, I drove an hour away to a clinic that canceled our appointment and I was unable to get my daughter the care she needed. Barriers like these place unnecessary stress in an already delicate situation and encourage people to self-cope rather than look for professional management. This is why resources need to be coupled with accessibility. 3.Teletherapy has the benefit of being virtual, which means it can extend its services to people wherever they’re at. It reduces a lot of the accessibility issues and allows those that might not be able to leave their home receive the help they need. In a lot of ways, it has lessened some of the barriers that those in rural areas face or places that have medical deserts. It’s been something that’s bridged the gap both for providers and patients, particularly those that may have busy schedules and have limited time for visits. However, some challenges are presented when we consider that not everyone has access to the internet or the ability to use electronic devices, particularly the elderly. Additionally, most therapy offered to children is through play, which is difficult to conduct over a screen. And even the issue of privacy can come up, with many not being able to feel comfortable voicing their true concerns in fear that someone could hear them. Perhaps some of the ways that teletherapy can continue to improve and reach a diverse community is through extending clinical hours during non-office hours, accepting various health insurance providers and extending its services to those with Medicaid, and hiring personnel that is aware of the barriers in place and who have the skills to adjust accordingly.

My future self has achieved everything I set out to do, building with insight and profound empathy to become self-fulfilled.

My name is Lisa, and I am a first-generation Latinx woman pursuing higher education. I am also a mother of two little girls. Since I am the first to graduate from high school in my family, this is all new to me, and what I know has been through asking questions and learning what I can. I attend my local community college and plan to transfer to TWU. Although there were some roadblocks in my past, I am committed to accomplishing my goals and making a pragmatic impact in my community. Coming from a low-income household has taught me about the plight of people who don't have many options due to economic hardships or any other disadvantage. I grew up in Koreatown, Los Angeles, shaping my view on life. It gave me a real-world perspective on what poverty can do. How detrimental it is, and what the consequences of not having the right resources can lead to. It's not just the allocation of resources, but the correct methods to properly reach those that need the services most. Over the years, I've met many people from all walks of life, and a theme that I observe throughout is their keen resilience to keep surviving despite it all. Sometimes it becomes too much to bear, and unfortunately, tragedies occur. Many that could have been preventable had they had the proper support. I believe there is no such thing as bad people, just bad circumstances. There is a stigma and lack of empathy for those in society who painfully strive to escape their rut but fail to do so. My decision to go into psychology has stemmed from an innate passion to help those in need of mental health services and provide a support system that is oftentimes, absent. I also know first-hand what it's like to feel like there is nowhere to turn to and that every direction is fraught with too many difficulties. I plan to positively impact my community by working directly with them. I want to come from a place of understanding and acknowledgment that without a sturdy foundation, things will naturally be arduous. I plan to work with my local hospitals and public mental health services. As well as offer services to low-income families, children, and immigrants, connecting them with the means to success, instead of just survival. My plan of obtaining my LPC licensure will assure me that I am well-equipped to handle any issues that I may come across. It will allow me to understand the depth of situations and give me confidence so that I can solve to figure out the best course of action for every unique scenario. My long-term vision is that my contribution to my community will provide the help it needs with my particular understanding of where they come from and that things can get better. All in all, I believe I have found my calling, and I am excited to be able to call this my life-long profession. I want to be able to exert a positive change and give the guidance that I, myself, wish I had gotten as a young child. In conclusion, I want to provide support for the bigger picture. Some communities need help and guidance, and I want to be able to provide at least a sliver of healing. As time has progressed, people have become more detached from one another. Our sense of community has been declining as the world handles one crisis after another. I think it is an honorable way to spend a life trying to provide peace in times of disorder.