Earley elected as student representative to TAMFT
Kim Chaudoin |
Allison Earley, a second-year student in Lipscomb University’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) program, has been elected as the student associate representative to the Tennessee Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT) board.
TAMFT is an independent affiliate of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, which represents the professional interests of more than 72,000 marriage and family therapists throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. Earley is the only student representative on the board.
“It is an incredible honor to be chosen to be a part of the TNAMFT board. I feel as though this opportunity is a great way to make connections and work towards awareness for the field of marriage and family therapy in Tennessee,” says Earley, of Maryville, Tennessee. “I thoroughly enjoy getting to create and work alongside people who have similar passions and I believe this position will be a great opportunity to fully invest in the MFT profession.”
“This is a great honor as well as an excellent opportunity. She is an excellent student who goes above and beyond,” says Chris Gonzalez, professor and MMFT program director. “Allison will represent the profession and Lipscomb very well.”
Earley, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in family studies from Lipscomb, says she felt called to pursue a degree in marriage and family therapy because of her passion for people and relationships.
“In my undergrad studies I had numerous classes that focused on the family system and how family members desired to have a functional and healthy family but were unsure of what steps to take,” explains Earley. “I was also passionate about children and their surrounding relationships, specifically their parental relationships. It seems that children thrive when they are surrounded by a supportive community so if relationships within that community are broken, this could negatively affect the child's development.”
This idea intrigued her and she desired to help individuals, children and families heal from childhood trauma, family dysfunction and broken relationships.
“I have also been an advocate for mental health for as long as I can remember and after my own experience in therapy,” she shares, “I saw the power and restoration that can come from it and I wanted to be a part of this incredible field of work.”
Earley says she chose Lipscomb as the place to pursue her master's degree because of her experience as an undergraduate student.
“I felt seen and cared for by the community at Lipscomb,” she explains. “I have a couple of professors in the MMFT program whom I also had the pleasure of learning under in my bachelor's program. I also love Nashville and was not quite ready to leave after I graduated with my undergrad degree.”
Continuing her studies at Lipscomb has been a good decision, says Earley.
“My experience in the MMFT program has been nothing but amazing thus far. Cohort 11 has been one of the biggest blessings in my life and I know I have made colleagues but most importantly, friends for life,” she reflects. “The faculty and staff in the program have been so helpful in our journey of becoming therapists and I could not have asked for a better community to be surrounded by as I begin this journey.”
Earley is working as an intern at the Lipscomb Family Therapy Center and Music City Family Therapy. She will participate in May commencement and complete her studies in August. She is still considering her plans after graduation, but she plans on staying in Nashville and working at a local private practice to continue my work with individuals, children, couples and families.
Lipscomb’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy is housed in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and is a two-year program. Learn more here.