Wounded healers have wounds themselves, and seek to heal others because they know what those wounds feel like. This is the case for many individuals in helping careers, such as in health care and in mental health. Every individual I have encountered who wants to go into the mental health field has had difficulties in their own mental health, and this speaks to what is known about wounded healers. I am an Indian American woman in the LGBTQIA+ community. I am a year into a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. My ultimate goal is to be a therapist. There was a significant stigma against mental health issues in my household, all while I was growing up. My family was also extremely abusive, which impacted my mental health significantly. I was able to get myself out of that situation and work towards my future. I put myself through college once I left. Initially, I thought I wanted to be a nurse. However, I soon found out that the therapeutic part of nursing was the true part of the field that I cared for. After making this realization, I made the decision to switch career paths. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Stephen F Austin State University and am currently working towards becoming a counselor. I’ve been in counseling to work through my complex PTSD since I left that situation. Having complex PTSD is difficult and makes life harder. However, I have been in counseling for some time and I am a survivor. I’ve made it through the roughest times and want to be there as a source of support for my clients. I will continue to partake in self care so that I can take care of myself while being a good counselor. My hope is that once I become an LPC, I will be able to help those struggling with their mental health. It has been rare to find someone with my particular background and I’d love to contribute to increasing diversity in this field. My experience in taking care of my own mental health has been an ongoing process and I think that insight matters when practicing as a counselor. It’s important to know how difficult it is to navigate. When I become a counselor, I would like to have the option of sliding scale payment so that those who can’t afford counseling will be able to have help. I’ve also made some contacts with individuals who are planning on creating safe spaces for women who have been impacted by domestic violence. I’ve told these contacts that I would love to be a counselor and offer my services to these communities. I’d like to work with those in marginalized communities and those who have experienced trauma. As an independent student, every little bit of scholarship money counts, so I greatly appreciate being considered for this one.

Wounded healers have wounds themselves, and seek to heal others because they know what those wounds feel like. This is the case for many individuals in helping careers, such as in health care and in mental health. Every individual I have encountered who wants to go into the mental health field has had difficulties in their own mental health, and this speaks to what is known about wounded healers. I am an Indian American woman in the LGBTQIA+ community. I am a year into a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. My ultimate goal is to be a therapist. There was a significant stigma against mental health issues in my household, all while I was growing up. My family was also extremely abusive, which impacted my mental health significantly. I was able to get myself out of that situation and work towards my future. I put myself through college once I left. Initially, I thought I wanted to be a nurse. However, I soon found out that the therapeutic part of nursing was the true part of the field that I cared for. After making this realization, I made the decision to switch career paths. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Stephen F Austin State University and am currently working towards becoming a counselor. There needs to I’ve been in counseling to work through my complex PTSD since I left that situation. My hope is that once I become an LPC, I will be able to help those struggling with their mental health. It has been rare to find someone with my particular background and I’d love to contribute to increasing diversity in this field. It’s important to increase mental health awareness. There is still such a stigma against it and I hope to help raise awareness on the subject. I help whoever I can in accessing helpful resources regarding mental health, and will continue to do so. My experience in taking care of my own mental health has been an ongoing process and I think that insight matters when practicing as a counselor. It’s important to know how difficult it is to navigate. When I become a counselor, I would like to have the option of sliding scale payment so that those who can’t afford counseling will be able to have help. I’ve also made some contacts with individuals who are planning on creating safe spaces for women who have been impacted by domestic violence. I’ve told these contacts that I would love to be a counselor and offer my services to these communities. I’d like to work with those in marginalized communities and those who have experienced trauma. As an independent student, every little bit of scholarship money counts, so I greatly appreciate being considered for this one.

Wounded healers have wounds themselves, and seek to heal others because they know what those wounds feel like. This is the case for many individuals in helping careers, such as in health care and in mental health. Every individual I have encountered who wants to go into the mental health field has had difficulties in their own mental health, and this speaks to what is known about wounded healers. I am an Indian American woman in the LGBTQIA+ community. I am a year into a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. My ultimate goal is to be a therapist. There was a significant stigma against mental health issues in my household, all while I was growing up. My family was also extremely abusive, which impacted my mental health significantly. I was able to get myself out of that situation and work towards my future. I put myself through college once I left. Initially, I thought I wanted to be a nurse. However, I soon found out that the therapeutic part of nursing was the true part of the field that I cared for. After making this realization, I made the decision to switch career paths. I’ve been in counseling to work through my complex PTSD since I left that situation. My hope is that once I become an LPC, I will be able to help those struggling with their mental health. It has been rare to find someone with my particular background and I’d love to contribute to increasing diversity in this field. My experience in taking care of my own mental health has been an ongoing process and I think that insight matters when practicing as a counselor. It’s important to know how difficult it is to navigate. When I become a counselor, I would like to have the option of sliding scale payment so that those who can’t afford counseling will be able to have help. I’ve also made some contacts with individuals who are planning on creating safe spaces for women who have been impacted by domestic violence. I’ve told these contacts that I would love to be a counselor and offer my services to these communities. I’d like to work with those in marginalized communities and those who have experienced trauma. As an independent student, every little bit of scholarship money counts, so I greatly appreciate being considered for this one.

Wounded healers have wounds themselves, and seek to heal others because they know what those wounds feel like. This is the case for many individuals in helping careers, such as in health care and in mental health. Every individual I have encountered who wants to go into the mental health field has had difficulties in their own mental health, and this speaks to what is known about wounded healers. I am an Indian American woman in the LGBTQIA+ community. I am a year into a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. My ultimate goal is to be a therapist. There was a significant stigma against mental health issues in my household, all while I was growing up. My family was also extremely abusive, which impacted my mental health significantly. I was able to get myself out of that situation and work towards my future. I put myself through college once I left. Initially, I thought I wanted to be a nurse. However, I soon found out that the therapeutic part of nursing was the true part of the field that I cared for. After making this realization, I made the decision to switch career paths. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Stephen F Austin State University and am currently working towards becoming a counselor. I’ve been in counseling to work through my complex PTSD since I left that situation. My hope is that once I become an LPC, I will be able to help those struggling with their mental health. It has been rare to find someone with my particular background and I’d love to contribute to increasing diversity in this field. My experience in taking care of my own mental health has been an ongoing process and I think that insight matters when practicing as a counselor. It’s important to know how difficult it is to navigate. When I become a counselor, I would like to have the option of sliding scale payment so that those who can’t afford counseling will be able to have help. I’ve also made some contacts with individuals who are planning on creating safe spaces for women who have been impacted by domestic violence. I’ve told these contacts that I would love to be a counselor and offer my services to these communities. I’d like to work with those in marginalized communities and those who have experienced trauma. As an independent student, every little bit of scholarship money counts, so I greatly appreciate being considered for this one.

Little me was really something She had the energy to keep going She’d daydreamed her way through that situation Because in life there is no intermission I wish there was an intermission Little me had the biggest dreams and fantasies She wished to sing to the masses She wanted to write about the classes I wish I could give her that. I don’t think I can give her that. Little me had so much energy She didn’t know the cruelty in life had no limit I want it to stay that way so please don’t tell her She doesn’t need to know it turned out this way.

There are many ways I try to include creativity in my life. The primary way is through creating presents for those close to me. This is partially because I find that crafting is more personal than purchasing and partly because my finances are dwindling rapidly as I continue in college. I paint, knit, create jewelry, create ornaments using modeling clay, etc. The second way I include creativity in my life is through singing and playing guitar. It’s an amazing way to express myself and let out emotions. I’ve connected with lots of music relating to topics of trauma and gaslighting, and I’ve made covers of these songs. It helps to have a creative outlet to better deal with these emotions. The third way that I am creative on a daily basis is how I organize my tasks. I’ve organized multiple jobs and schoolwork into planners with colorful sections in order to keep track of them. I’ve scheduled it out so I have time to complete 15 hours of food/grocery deliveries a week, judge at least two debate tournaments a month, and handle nursing school curriculum all the while. It’s daunting and exhausting, but I do my best to make it all work.

Playlist Name: Collage Consistent of the Pieces College Has Made of Me (Translation to English for some of the songs will most likely be needed). Creative Artist Name: Collete Degree. 1. Ratta Maar by Vishel Shekhar. 2. No More Dream by BTS. 3. 19 by Stray Kids 4. F.A.L.T.U. by Sukhvinder Singh and Mika Singh 5. N.O. by BTS 6. High Hopes by Panic! at the Disco 7. 24/7 by Kehlani