As an Asian (Sri Lankan) American, Shannon Tissera does not see very many people that look like her on television or in books or in diverse career fields—especially not in mental health because of how stigmatized it is within her culture.
That lack of representation has served to motivate Tissera as a student in the MS in Mental Health Counseling program.
“Two of my greatest passions in both my personal and professional life are representation of diversity and advocacy,” she said. “It's so important for me to be able to provide a voice for those who are still finding theirs, and to advocate for inclusion and diversity in the mental health space.”
Tissera chose to pursue her passions at PCOM because she appreciated the institution’s focus on providing care for the whole person and advancing the health of diverse communities.
“A holistic approach is important to me as a provider as many individuals of color are not seen nor heard past the color of their skin,” Tissera explained. “When I was looking at various programs, PCOM's values really stood out to me and I felt that I was able to align my own values with that of PCOM's.”
During her program internship at Caron Outpatient Treatment Center (COTC), Tissera had the opportunity to explore an aspect of mental health counseling to which she had not been previously exposed.
“Substance use has always been a bit daunting to me, but I have found such a passion in working with this population as there are so many overlaps in diversity issues as well that I am able to advocate for,” she said.
Tissera also had the opportunity to complete training on an experimental therapy while at COTC that she described as a “priceless experience” on its own. For Tissera, the choice of the internship site was a critical aspect of her educational experience.
“Take time to consider your passions and values when searching for an internship site and don't be afraid to create your own site,” Tissera advised. “I did when I found COTC and it was by far the best decision I made!”
Tissera plans to pursue her license in mental health counseling and is also considering pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology. As she completes her MS in Mental Health Counseling degree, she credits the program with helping shape her professional lens.
“I have enjoyed the perspective this program has afforded me,” she said. “Not only have I learned so much from my own experiences, but also from that of my peers and professors.”
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