New Hope for Healers Scholarship supports Marriage and Family Therapy students
Kim Chaudoin |
Em Mortenson, center, surrounded by Department of Psychology, Counseling and Family Sciences faculty, is the inaugural recipient of the Hope for Healers Scholarship.
Lipscomb University’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) program has introduced the Hope for Healers Scholarship this fall thanks to an anonymous donor which helps students meet their educational and professional goals while helping meet workforce demand.
This full-tuition scholarship is awarded annually to a second-year MMFT student who demonstrates financial need and academic achievement. Designed to support those pursuing a career in mental health, the scholarship helps recipients enter the field prepared to meet the growing demand for skilled therapists. The scholarship covers tuition for one year.
Chris Gonzalez, MMFT program director, said the scholarship is funded by a funder who "is inspired by the work we are doing in the MMFT program.”
"The donor has a heart for students who want to go into this profession knowing it is not one where they will likely make a large salary, but these students want to make the world a better place," said Gonzalez. "Even before — but particularly since — the pandemic the demand for mental health services has gone through the roof. It is tough to keep up with workforce demand.”
"Scholarships like Hope for Healers have an impact by making an education in this area possible which provides trained professionals to help meet the workforce needs,” Gonzalez continued. “This scholarship relieves a big burden from students allowing them to focus on their studies."
In addition to helping a graduate student, this gift is also exciting to the faculty.
"The faculty are excited and inspired by this gift," Gonzalez shared. "This provides affirmation that what we are doing is making a difference as someone outside of Lipscomb recognizes and supports the work that is being done here and the quality of the students and graduates coming through the program."
This scholarship has removed one of the mountains and made it possible to see a light at the end of the scary debt tunnel. It also feels pretty fantastic to be believed in and have people that you look up to, stand behind you and lift you up to reach your goal. It’s humbling in a beautiful way. — Em Mortenson
The first Hope for Healers Scholarship recipient is Em Mortenson, who is in the second year of the program and is on target to graduate in May 2025.
"It’s pretty hard to fully put into words how much this scholarship has meant to me. I am the first generation in my family to go to college and I grew up experiencing a fair share of financial hardships. I have always known that the only way I would be able to go to college and have the career I wanted was to take out mountains of student loans," explained Mortenson. "This scholarship has removed one of the mountains and made it possible to see a light at the end of the scary debt tunnel. It also feels pretty fantastic to be believed in and have people that you look up to, stand behind you and lift you up to reach your goal. It’s humbling in a beautiful way."
Mortenson left a career as a dancer to return to school a decade ago, earning an undergraduate degree in psychology from Middle Tennessee State University. With a desire to work with couples in the counseling field, the Nashville resident chose to pursue a graduate degree in Lipscomb's Marriage and Family Therapy program, housed in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
"Of the possible programs in this area, I was really impressed with Lipscomb’s faculty and what the work they are continuing to do within the field of marriage and family therapy," Mortenson said. "I also know an alum that I met through the dance world years ago. I respect her a great deal and I took her experience here and her success in her career as a glowing review."
This program has been one of the most challenging and fulfilling experiences Mortenson has undertaken.
"Obviously I am learning all about the theories and interventions that help shape a career in therapy. However, the lessons I am learning about the importance of community, the beauty of vulnerability and how to find shared humanity without having shared values is something I didn't see coming," shared Mortenson.
"I thought I knew what to expect and what the training would look like going into this field, but I was missing a large chunk. Lipscomb’s program, the members of my cohort and my clients have opened my eyes to the flexibility, grace and strength it takes to thrive in this career and I am beyond grateful."
Lipscomb's Master of Marriage and Family Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and may be completed in 24-months.
Learn more about Lipscomb's Master of Marriage and Family Therapy Program.