Continuing the Lifelong Journey of Healing and Helping Others by Madeline

Continuing the Lifelong Journey of Healing and Helping Others by Madeline - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

I am pursuing a master’s degree in mental health counseling to learn the skills necessary to fulfill my life’s purpose: helping people help themselves. I believe that giving others the tools needed to heal from their own wounds and break unhealthy patterns allows them to begin their own journeys towards mental wellness. Taking steps to improve one’s mental health is the foundation of creating healthier relationships, which I believe further contribute to one’s mental wellness.
The idea that mental health and personal relationships are interrelated is the basis of my interest in becoming a therapist, and comes primarily from the work of Dr. Nicole LePera, a psychologist who has gained popularity on social media for her stance on collective healing. She believes that everyone is in need of inner healing, and she emphasizes the importance of childhood attachments in the development of individuals. She has inspired me both personally and professionally; after taking steps to become conscious of my own patterns and conditioning, I had awoken a drive within me to share this knowledge and do my part to help others heal themselves, specifically in the context of families. Based on everything I have learned from my academic and personal experiences, I believe one’s life is heavily influenced by their family and primary relationships, specifically in childhood. By pursuing my master’s degree in mental health counseling, I will acquire the tools needed to successfully provide others with the resources to begin their own healing, including a supportive environment in which they can explore and confront any wounds that are impacting their mental wellbeing.
After earning this degree, my next goal is to become a licensed therapist, specializing in working with children and families. I am interested in this specialization because it aligns with my own guiding principles of healing: mental health and personal relationships are strongly intertwined, and healing one’s own wounds from childhood can lay the groundwork for improved mental wellness and, in turn, healthier relationships.