What was your path to becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor?

My journey to becoming a counselor was long and varied. I struggled to find my place in the social world when I was younger and then I found the performing arts, which helped me access an emotional world inside myself. It also allowed me to express stories and emotions through dance and performance. When I started to teach in the performing arts, I realized my passion was helping other young people access the same places and feel confident creating art for others. I became a high school teacher to continue working with young people and enjoyed being a part of their lives, supporting them, and helping them succeed. When I realized that my favorite part of being in a school was supporting students socially and emotionally, I made the switch to being a school counselor and, along the way, I became a licensed mental health counselor so that I could support as many teens and young adults as possible. I want to help individuals and families build healthy relationships, empathy for others, and acceptance and love for themselves. This is how we build a healthy future for our world.