From Boardrooms to the Therapy Room: Why I’m Pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by people—how we think, how we cope, and how our environments shape who we become. My decision to pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology didn’t come from a single moment, but from a series of experiences across corporate leadership, physical fitness, and my own lived reality. Together, they revealed a truth I can no longer ignore: mental health is essential, deeply interconnected with our daily lives, and still widely underserved.
Where It Started: The Workplace and the Missing Individual
My professional journey began in corporate environments, sitting in leadership meetings with C-suite executives and working in human resources. Again and again, I saw organizations try to “solve” problems by addressing employees as a collective—policies, procedures, productivity goals—while overlooking the individual human experience.
Employees were triggered at work. Prospective employees were triggered during interviews. Stress, anxiety, and unresolved trauma quietly shaped performance, relationships, and retention, yet mental health was rarely addressed in a meaningful or individualized way. I began to understand that workplace wellness cannot exist without psychological well-being.
The Body as the Gateway to the Mind
That realization deepened through my work as a group fitness instructor. Each week, I teach a diverse group of adults ranging from 18 to 65 years old. While the class may appear to be about physical movement, what unfolds is something far more powerful.
The exercises challenge not only physical strength, but mental resilience, self-trust, and emotional regulation. I’ve watched students rediscover confidence they didn’t know they had. I’ve also learned that progress isn’t linear—and when it stalls, the solution is never one-size-fits-all. I adapt, modify, and meet each person where they are.
In those moments, I saw the bridge between physical movement and mental health. The body often speaks before the mind is ready to listen. Clinical psychology became the final piece that connected everything I was already doing.
Why Clinical Psychology
Pursuing a PsyD in Clinical Psychology allows me to formally expand my understanding of human behavior—particularly how anxiety and trauma show up in the workplace, in relationships, and in the body. My goal is to help individuals identify, understand, and manage anxiety disorders and trauma using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, structured problem-solving, and both group and individual therapy.
I envision myself as part of a generation of psychologists who:
Educate their communities
Provide effective, accessible services (in-person and tele-mental health)
Partner with local businesses to normalize mental health support
Promote diversity within the field of psychology
Psychological well-being doesn’t exist in isolation—it strengthens families, workplaces, and entire communities.
Why Adler University
Adler University stands out to me because of its deep commitment to social justice, diversity, and community engagement. Its location in Chicago offers direct exposure to richly diverse populations, something I value deeply. I completed my master’s degree in Chicago and experienced firsthand how meaningful community-based psychology can be.
Adler’s emphasis on preparing psychologists to work in diverse settings—particularly through options like Military Clinical Psychology—aligns closely with my personal and professional life. I have strong connections with veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, and I’ve trained alongside current and former servicemen and women. These experiences have shaped my understanding of trauma, resilience, and service.
I’m also inspired by faculty whose interests mirror my own: women’s issues, military trauma, critical thinking in assessment and treatment, and intergenerational trauma within African American communities. Learning in an environment guided by such perspectives would allow me to grow both clinically and personally.
Social Justice, Psychology, and Community Healing
To me, social justice means equitable access to economic, civil, and social resources—mental health care included. Psychologists play a vital role in this work. We educate, advocate, and create change through both direct services and community partnerships.
Living out this mission requires commitment: continuing education, outreach, mentorship, and building pathways for future psychologists. Mental health care should not be a privilege; it should be a standard.
Looking Ahead: My Vision as a Psychologist
My long-term goals include becoming licensed in my home state and through PsyPACT, building a part-time private practice focused on trauma and anxiety among African American adult and older adult women, and working full-time with either the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or in a hospital setting as a general psychologist.
Beyond clinical work, I hope to supervise future psychology students, expand access through tele-mental health, and offer educational workshops that empower communities. Eventually, I envision turning those workshops into a book—creating resources for individuals who may never step into a therapy office.
At the heart of my work is a simple belief: healing happens when people are informed, supported, and seen as whole individuals—mind, body, and community.
This is why I’m pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology. Not just to treat symptoms, but to help build healthier systems, stronger communities, and more empowered lives.
