Meet M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling Alumna: Kendall Watson

Why did you decide to return to school for a master’s degree? 

I felt a strong desire to make an impactful difference in the lives of others, and becoming a therapist felt like the right path to accomplish this. I am the only person in my family to attend college, and obtaining a bachelor’s degree was a massive milestone. I was uncertain if graduate school would be feasible, but wanted to give myself the chance to explore the possibility. I am so glad that I allowed myself the opportunity to apply because it was not only achievable, but also the best decision I’ve made for myself.

Why Gonzaga and why the Marriage and Family Counseling program? 

While in the interview process for graduate programs, Gonzaga had a unique blend of being both personal and professional. During my interview process, I had the opportunity to meet professors and alumni, and I immediately felt in my heart that I was meant to be part of this community. Gonzaga is also CACREP accredited, which meant that I could trust that I would be taught to the highest standard within my field. I knew I would be well prepared for internship, national exams, and life after graduation.

What skills did you develop in the program? 

I learned a beautiful mixture of counseling theories, therapeutic interventions, ethical considerations, multicultural applications, and more. What is unique about the Marriage and Family program is getting to take what you are taught in the classroom setting and apply it to live sessions where you get immediate feedback and support from the professor. Because of this, I developed a deeper confidence in myself as a clinician. It also means that I feel more at ease when attending continuing education trainings where the new skills I learn will be observed by trainers, when I have interns shadow my work, or when I engage in consultation with other professionals.

How was it building community in your cohort? 

My cohort was my favorite part of the program! This program can bring out vulnerability, and my cohort committed to building trust with each other so that we had the opportunity to fully lean into the experience. We spent time with one another outside of classes to deepen our connection, and we really felt like a family the entire way through. Even after graduation, I still keep in touch with many of the individuals from my cohort both personally and professionally.

How was your experience with the faculty? 

I felt incredibly supported by my program director along with other professors. I knew that they believed in both my ability to be a good student in addition to also becoming a skillful therapist. I still keep in touch with faculty members whether it is to say a simple hello, ask for their advice, or to visit their classes as an alumna and interact with the next generation of counselors.

What surprised you about the program? 

I knew that I would grow in my identity of becoming a therapist. What I didn’t expect was how much my personal identity would also be transformed. I can confidently say that attending this program changed the trajectory of my life in ways I never anticipated. I am a skilled therapist, and I’m also a human who gets to encounter more richness and depth in everyday living. This program doesn’t just focus on classroom learning; was an immersive experience that touched every aspect of my identity.

What advice would you give to someone considering Gonzaga’s Marriage and Family program? 

I wholeheartedly believe the Marriage and Family program will prepare you to be a successful and knowledgeable clinician. I would encourage any individual attending this program to allow themselves to lean in fully as an entire person, not just as a student. You will get so much more out of this experience by showing up as your whole authentic self, and that will set you apart from being a good clinician to a fantastic one.