Blog Post #1

I became interested in the mental health field when I was a juvenile in the foster care system. I was in foster care from age 15 to 18. Since I was older, there was few foster homes that wanted a teenager, so I spent huge chunks of time in facilities. I feel in love with the idea of pursing an education in Psychology while I was at KidsPeace. I chose Kutztown specifically because I had staff who either graduated or were currently attending KU. My current job as a behavioral health technician at an adult psychiatric hospital has only made my love for the field grow. Being a person who also struggles with mental illness, I found helping other people make strides in their treatment has impacted my mental illness in a very positive way. I think I have a knack for the field because I have gone through my own hurdles. My end goal is to be a Licensed Psychologist with a specialization in child and adolescent mental health. After I graduate from KU I would like to obtain my Psy. D through West Chester University. I started attending KU in 2017. I was fortunate enough to gain employment at Haven Behavioral Hospital the Summer after Freshmen year. I never changed my major I have always been confident about this field. My future employment goals would be to either have a private practice, or open up a facility for mentally ill youth. Either method I go I would like to add rescued pit bulls into the mix. This would be beneficial in my eyes because just like troubled youth are looked at negatively so are pit bulls. Not only that I have always been a firm believer that animals are therapeutic healers. I am confident no matter where I end up after being a Psychologist I will make a positive influence. The passion I feel towards Psychology and helping others is like no other.