Good News for Tough Times: Small, Private University Responds to Today’s Economic Challenges

MIAMI, April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Not since the United States Great Depression of 1929 has the American public experienced such significant hardships to their health and well-being across the parameters of occupational, spiritual, emotional, and overall social wellness. Losing jobs at a rapid pace, people are at risk for suffering lowered self esteem, a loss of identity, security and status. Yet Miami’s St. Thomas University Counseling Programs – initiated decades ago – are still producing thousands of culturally competent, multilingual, multiethnic school and community mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists who not only respond to the suffering incurred through environmental factors and the challenges of life events, but shape the South Florida therapeutic community.

“Many may be wondering how to contribute to making this a better world while pursuing study areas that will translate into health care careers where there seems to be more job stability,” says STU’s Chief Marketing Officer Marivi Prado. “In addition to Healthcare Management degrees, St. Thomas Masters programs in Guidance & Counseling – designed for those committed to social justice – are creating new avenues of strength and resilience,” she adds. Many students select STU to implement cutting-edge models that address the academic, emotional and career development needs of children. Mental health counselors select the MHC program that provides them with the hands on supervised counseling experience in psychiatric units, substance abuse treatment and community mental health centers. Aspiring family therapists work with families within the context of the society in which they live, and licensed St. Thomas counselors and therapists are practicing throughout the world. School counselors advocate for the marginalized, and prepare students to fulfill their potential as learners, so that they learn to live, work, and contribute to a democratic society.

“Our graduate students are trained to focus not only on problems and suffering endured by individuals, but have the unique grounding in the complexity of culture and the knowledge, awareness and skills needed so that change-oriented strategies can serve the greater social good,” indicates Dr. Judith Bachay, L.M.H.C., Program Director of St. Thomas University’s Graduate Counseling Programs. As Dr. Bachay indicates, “in times of great personal crisis, counselors respond with both empathy and expertise. Our counseling graduates are finding a career niche that at the same time instills hope for a mutual future of health and wellness, helping individuals, families and communities walk the path of progress.” She welcomes interested advocates and college graduates to connect with the St. Thomas’ counseling team through her e-mail, jbachay@stu.edu.

SOURCE St. Thomas University