Educational Background
Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
· PhD, Doctor of Philosophy in Human Services (Specialization in Social & Community Services)
· Graduated 2021
Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Enid, Oklahoma
· MCP, Master of Counseling Psychology
· Graduated 2006
Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Enid, Oklahoma
· BS, Bachelor of Science Psychology
· Major: Psychology Minor: Social Work
· Graduated 2004
Northern Oklahoma College, Enid, Oklahoma
· AS, Associate of Science
· Graduated 2001
My educational background is equivalent to 16 years of study in a vast array of coursework within various college universities. In 2001, I graduated with an Associate of Science from Northern Oklahoma College, in which I completed basic subjects at the college level. At the Bachelor's level, I majored in Psychology, had a minor in Social Work, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Psychology in 2004 and a Master of Counseling Psychology from NWOSU in 2006. These academic programs have taught me extensive coursework in theoretical knowledge and clinical training both in and outside the classroom during fieldwork.
The course curriculum involving these specific degrees of study includes Counseling Theory, which has aided me in attaining knowledge of various theoretical frameworks. Counseling Strategies and Techniques have instructed me on how to apply therapeutic treatment interventions while conducting individual, family, group, and couple therapy. Assessment Methods have given me a working knowledge of the essential standardized method of client assessments and evaluations. Lastly, Research coursework has helped me demonstrate an ability to use and interpret research applied to counseling. Altogether, psychology has well informed me in learning how to predict and understand the process of the psyche and human behavior, how to gather and interpret data, and manage and navigate high-stress situations and environments in which people live.
My minor in Social Work has enlightened me a great deal about the world surrounding societal values, problems, and needs; and has given me insight into areas of concern within communities. The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic and complex needs of all people, particularly those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. Accordingly, my social work course curriculum has grounded me in focusing on both the person and their social environment.
My professional qualifications are LPC. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Oklahoma. This professional license requires 3000 hours of field experience post-graduation and sitting for and passing the Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Exam (OLERE) and the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Annually, I am required to take 20 hours of Continuing Education within the counseling discipline, including ethics training to renew my Licensure and continue practicing as a therapist.
I attained my Doctoral Degree in 2021 from Capella University. Specifically, this degree is a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Services with a (Specialization in Social and Community Services). This doctoral program has refined me to develop as a human service leader while taking a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex social problems, creating innovative solutions, and facilitating change that incorporates research and practice. This specialization has also disciplined me in gaining knowledge in the advanced study of contemporary issues impacting social work and community services while preparing me to assume a leadership role as a social agent of change at the community, state, and national levels.
In this specialized field of study, Doctoral courses included professional and scientific ethics, which upskilled me in practicing ethical norms and principles required while working with people and conducting research. Second, I have completed research courses in research design, data collection, and data analysis, which informed the study design of my dissertation. Third, coursework in the epistemology of practice knowledge increased my awareness that humans' lived experiences are subjective and unique to the individual (AlSaadi, 2014). Lastly, I have studied a substantial amount of coursework in counseling and theory, which has expanded my knowledge base at the doctoral level.
As a Doctor of Philosophy, I am now better at adapting and clarifying complex information while communicating with clients more effectively to manage expectations. My critical thinking skills have significantly improved in problem-solving because I can interpret, evaluate, and make sound judgments regarding verbal and written communication. My PhD has enhanced my writing skills while "creating" an "original research study" that filled the research gap in science, ultimately expanding my curiosity about the world and ways to foster change. Given all things stated, I am intrigued about human existence while uncovering logical reasoning, as philosophy is a way of looking at the world and giving it meaning. Respectively, I am passionate about learning because of the “love of wisdom” while making a difference within social and community services that positively enhances people’s social and mental well-being.
