As a teenager, Jillian Lynch ended up in the emergency room after experiencing alarming physiological symptoms—symptoms she later learned were caused entirely by her own mind. She was, the doctor explained, having a panic attack.
That experience, in part, fueled Lynch’s decision to study psychology and sociology as an undergraduate student.
“I have always been interested in the way people behave and think,” Lynch said. “I have seen many people in my life struggle with different mental health concerns and not understand that there is help for the pain they were experiencing.”
Having struggled with anxiety most of her life, Lynch decided she wanted to gain hands-on experience helping others with mental health concerns.
She discovered an opportunity to do that as a student in PCOM’s MS in Mental Health Counseling program.
“I chose PCOM because I wanted a connected and integrative experience,” Lynch said.
A key component of the PCOM experience is the Standardized Training and Evaluation of Psychologists and Psychotherapists (STEPPS) program. The chance to participate in the STEPPS program factored into her decision to enroll.
“I had never heard of a program like this and it was reassuring to know that I wouldn't be going into my first experience with a real client completely blind,” she said.
Lynch’s first experience with real clients came during her internship. All students in the mental health counseling program complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship during their second year.
Lynch completed hers at Fairmount Behavioral Health in Philadelphia, PA.
The most interesting aspect, she said, was working with various different populations in terms of age, cultural identity, diagnoses, life experiences and more.
During the internship, students spend 18-20 hours a week at their designated mental health site.
“Finding the balance between school, internship, work, or whatever else you may have going on is essential,” Lynch said.
She advises those preparing for an internship to commit more time in the beginning.
“Gaining plenty of hours early on will likely give you the option for a more flexible schedule towards the end of your time,” she explained.
After obtaining enough licensure hours to become a Licensed Professional Counselor, Lynch would like to get some experience in an outpatient care setting and eventually open her own practice.
She believes the relationships she has developed at PCOM will aid in those future endeavors
“I feel that at larger universities it is easy to get ‘lost in the crowd’, so to speak, and I wanted to feel connected with my peers and professors,” she said. “I wanted the ability to build relationships that would last after I graduated because I feel like that is essential in this field.”
In fact, it is those relationships that have been the most enjoyable part of the program for her.
“I have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful professors/counselors that I have learned so much from,” Lynch said. “Not to mention meeting some amazing future colleagues that I cannot wait to make referrals for!”
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