For Alana Beam, mental health has always been a passion. She chose to pursue a career in mental health counseling in hopes of using her own experiences as a way to better the lives of others and continue to grow.
“I am excited to help others take the steps to become vulnerable, and to show others that there is always something worth living for,” she said.
Her first step toward meeting that goal was enrolling in the MS in Mental Health Counseling program at PCOM.
“I heard great things about PCOM from others prior to my interview,” Beam said. “After meeting the faculty during the interview process, I was sold.”
According to Beam, the part of the program that has meant the most to her is connecting with peers and developing relationships to help her grow within the field. Another vital aspect has been gaining experience with real clients through her internship work at Lenape Valley Foundation.
“Lenape Valley Foundation provided me with a wonderful experience with such a diverse group of clients,” she said. “I have worked with kids who are six years old all the way through adults who are 65. I have also had the opportunity to run groups, individual sessions, and connect with other interns through great supervision. Working in community mental health has allowed me to give back to the community I grew up in first hand.”
Beam’s experience with Lenape Valley Foundation will continue after graduation when she begins working for them full-time as part of their intake team. She also plans to pursue credentialing as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and hopes to specialize in trauma.
As her time in the MS in Mental Counseling program comes to an end, Beam shares her advice for students entering the program.
“It is going to be hard at times, but take all of the experiences, good and bad, as opportunities for growth,” she advised. “You are never going to feel like you know enough, but you do! It is all about letting the skills build as you go!”
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