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Shoshana Cook

4,495

Bold Points

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Finalist

Bio

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.)
2023 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Master's degree program
2021 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Social Work

Ashford University

Bachelor's degree program
2018 - 2020
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General
  • Not planning to go to medical school

    • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Mental Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

    • Psychotherapist

      Enrichment Wellness
      2023 – Present1 year

    • Crisis Counselor/Rehabilitation Counselor

      Cornerstone Montgomery
      2020 – 20233 years

    • Residential Counselor

      Sheppard Pratt
      2019 – 20201 year

    Arts

    • Nate Townsend

      Acting
      Nate Townsend Director Reel HD
      2012 – 2013

    • Oliverian

      Acting
      Oliverian 2012 Short Film
      2012 – 2013

    • Wheelock College

      Acting
      Aladdin
      2010 – 2011

    • Drawing
      So 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 Evils
      2019 – Present

    • Painting
      The 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 Moon
      2019 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      GCN — Baker and Entertainer for the Elderly
      2019 – 2020

    • Volunteering

      Ironwood — Manual Labor Volunteer
      2013 – 2014

    • Volunteering

      Make-A-Wish — Help a Child with a Terminal Illness
      2010 – 2011

    • Volunteering

      GCN, Weekly Food Drives — Food Drive Volunteer
      2019 – 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.