![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/36973233612980860015858113280421156349901825na96bb556667743fbbf051b90af4d506a.webp)
Hobbies and interests
Painting and Studio Art
Landscaping
Reading
Academic
Biography
Health
Education
Psychology
I read books multiple times per week
Shoshana Cook
4,495
Bold Points1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/36973233612980860015858113280421156349901825na96bb556667743fbbf051b90af4d506a.webp)
Shoshana Cook
4,495
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
I have worked in the mental health field since 2019 and the minute I stepped into the role of a residential counselor, working with adolescent boys in an RTC (Residential Treatment Center), I knew this is what I want to do.
Not all therapists are created equally and I want to dedicate my life not only to the clients that we serve, but also to the future therapists who are training to work with highly vulnerable populations. I am a strong believer that while the therapeutic alliance is a huge part of success in therapy, so is ethical, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive and informed practice. I once heard that 25% of therapists will help you, 50% will do nothing and 25% will harm you. My goal is to increase the first 25% and decrease the other two!
I'm a hard worked and dedicated to work hard to achieve my goals. While I was working full-time with adolescent boys in RTC, I was also pursuing my BA in Psychology, taking double of the courses I was required to. When I was working full time in Crisis homes for adults primarily struggling with Psychosis, I was also studying my Master's Program, full time. Now, as a licensed social worker, I aim to get my PsyD. It's a lot of work, but I don't regret it. While I could've made more per hour in retail or working in restaurants, the experience I gained was invaluable.
Education
The University of Arizona Global Campus
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)Majors:
- Psychology, General
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Master's degree programMajors:
- Social Work
Ashford University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Psychology, General
Career
Dream career field:
Mental Health Care
Dream career goals:
Psychotherapist
Enrichment Wellness2023 – Present1 yearCrisis Counselor/Rehabilitation Counselor
Cornerstone Montgomery2020 – 20233 yearsResidential Counselor
Sheppard Pratt2019 – 20201 year
Arts
Nate Townsend
ActingNate Townsend Director Reel HD2012 – 2013Oliverian
ActingOliverian 2012 Short Film2012 – 2013Wheelock College
ActingAladdin2010 – 2011- DrawingSo Many Curls, Mamma and her Baby in the Water, Billie, The Rock, Tess, Zoey and Oliver, Mrs.Goldburg, So Grand, Crepes for everyone, Hero, Dagnys in Love, Hedgehog in a Pot, Guess What, Mom's Pregnant, All the Evils2019 – Present
- PaintingThe King of The Jungle and his Mate, Two Pups Cuddling, Dreamcatcher and Hedgehog, Lest we Forget says the Elephant, Annabelle's Sloth, The Dagnys on a Pillow, Annie the Equine, Trotting Through the Meadows, Australian Fires, Zoey, Frisky, Mama and Baby Toucan, A lion with a Butterfly, Baby Rhino and Tea, You are my Sunshine, Fawn in the Sunset, Half a Baby, Half a Elder, No more Succulents, Baby Doodle, Kitten Portait, Puggle Outside, Service Doodle, Winter Footprints, Howling at the Moon2019 – Present
Public services
Volunteering
GCN — Baker and Entertainer for the Elderly2019 – 2020Volunteering
Ironwood — Manual Labor Volunteer2013 – 2014Volunteering
Make-A-Wish — Help a Child with a Terminal Illness2010 – 2011Volunteering
GCN, Weekly Food Drives — Food Drive Volunteer2019 – 2021
Future Interests
Advocacy
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
VonDerek Casteel Being There Counts Scholarship
Hello. I received my BA in Psychology in 2020, then, my MA in social work (MSW) in 2023. During these programs, I worked at a company called Sheppard Pratt, which is the largest nonprofit provider of mental health. I worked with adolescent boys in RTC while with this company. I soon moved to the largest mental health organization in my county, Cornerstone Montgomery and held two positions there- a crisis counselor where I worked in crisis homes, step-downs from the hospital and I served adults struggling with psychosis, suicidal/homicidal ideation, personality disorders and trauma. The other position I held was a Rehabilitation counselor, working with adults struggling with SUDs in a RTC. Once I graduated with my MSW, I began working at a private practice near my home. It's only been a couple of months since being an LMSW (Licensed Master in Social Work), but since then, I have completed a 50-hour training and became a Certified Trauma Professional (CTP) and I have about 20 hours left until I am certified to practice using EMDR. I strive to get my PsyD, with an expected graduation date of 2027 so I can teach students not only what I know now, but all the information I will have attained by that time.
I think I deserve this scholarship because I have a lot of experience. The training I spoke of is to increase my scope of practice and/or to be the most effective therapist I can be; since I am an LMSW, I won't receive those CE credits and was fully aware of that before signing up. I am always willing to learn more and refine my interventions and ways of working. This scholarship will benefit me by allowing me to continue taking more trainings and certifications without the constraint of my current and past student fees/loans.
I chose this career field because I've had friends and family members who have gone for therapeutic treatment and have received less than ethical care that continues to weigh heavily on them to this day. While I cannot undo every wrong, I hope to be able to create a space safe enough for my clients to heal and strive to not be the therapist my love ones had. By attaining my PsyD, I hope to mold and form students into therapists who authentically strive to do no harm.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to what I had to say.