Fabiola St. Luc, MS/MHC ’26, a soon-to-be graduate in the Mental Health Counseling program at PCOM, has long felt the calling to support others. What began as a childhood aspiration evolved into a career path shaped by her lived experiences and identity.
“As I’ve grown into the Black woman that I am today, I have been constantly reminded of the importance of representation across all healthcare settings, specifically in the mental health counseling space,” she said.
St. Luc’s decision to attend PCOM was largely due to an endorsement made from a professor she deeply admired during her undergraduate studies. Hearing her mentor speak so highly of the College stayed with her as she researched graduate programs, but it was PCOM’s emphasis on holistic care and interprofessional collaboration that sealed the deal.
Throughout her graduate studies, St. Luc said she experienced both academic growth and a strong sense of community. She recalls several times during her studies that she felt lost or isolated and that it was the camaraderie and support from PCOM staff and cohorts that she was able to foster a strong professional identity.
Whether it was through leadership roles as class representative and first-year mentor, or through her clinical work at the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, St. Luc credits PCOM for helping her build confidence and practice skills that she will carry into her career.
Looking ahead, St. Luc plans to pursue independent licensure as a professional counselor and later, a doctorate in clinical psychology. Her long-term goal is to open a private practice focused on supporting children who have experienced trauma, while also providing psychoeducational consultation for professionals working with youth facing mental health and behavioral challenges.
For those considering a master's in Mental Health Counseling, St. Luc offers simple but powerful advice: “Write down your ‘why.’ Keep it visible. Let it anchor you through challenges and remind you of your purpose as you move forward.”
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
For general media inquiries, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 215-871-6300 or communications@pcom.edu. Visit our media relations page to view contact information for public relations personnel.
Gabrielle DePietro
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: gabrielde2@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304
© 2026 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
