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SU psychology major, Kathryn Ogden ’14, is a resident in counseling at the Winchester Community Mental Health Center. In this role, Ogden counsels clients from all backgrounds and for a variety of reasons. She also runs groups that include individuals who were recently released from a hospital for mental health reasons. “I find the rewarding experiences are when my clients feel comfortable opening up and sharing their secrets. I think it takes a great deal of trust for someone to share information that they have never shared with anyone before.”

While at Shenandoah, Odgen had the opportunity to complete a two-semester practicum at Timber Ridge, a school for at-risk boys, experiencing emotional and behavioral issues. “I shadowed one of the counselors there and this experience really allowed me to know that counseling is what I am passionate about. I have always loved to hear the stories of other people, so I decided to work there as a residential counselor on the weekends. During this time, I got to know the adolescents even more and really began to learn about the difficult times that they went through. Without SU, I would not have had this experience.”

Ogden’s advice to current students is to do a practicum. Doing so will open your eyes to what the field of psychology has to offer. “The practicum experience is so important for everyone, so you can actually apply the knowledge you are learning in the classroom to real life.”