MA Counseling Psychology LGBT Gay Personal Purpose Help
- Robert Edinger
- Jul 23, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 8

As a psychology professional, my goal is to focus on community mental health both in the short and long term. I am passionate about building a rewarding career helping a diverse population in my community achieve their full potential and happiness by fostering healthy relationships with family and society. I am particularly interested in the areas of spirituality, men's mental health, and LGBT mental health. My focus on spirituality stems from my belief that a deep sense of meaning and purpose in life, along with a sense of belonging, is essential for psychological well-being, acceptance, integration, and wholeness. In terms of men's mental health, I am fascinated by the approaches of national men's health organizations in the United States, Australia, and Europe, which promote a needs-driven rather than gender-based healthcare approach.
Regarding LGBT mental health, my primary concern is the persistent discrimination against LGBT individuals within the mental health system and how they are often labeled as 'mentally ill' due to their sexual orientation. I am eager to investigate how discrimination contributes to mental distress. I am applying for training in Counseling Psychology because I care deeply about individuals' overall health. I possess the intellectual and emotional maturity needed to become an excellent counselor, assisting those with mental health challenges to achieve greater happiness and integration, particularly by addressing dysfunctional relationships.
Participating in your program will enhance my intellectual and emotional development and refine my professional skills in helping people lead happier and more fulfilling lives through cultivating positive and sustainable relationships. I am applying because I see a significant need in our society for mental health practitioners. Your program will also prepare me for further studies toward a doctoral degree. I bring many strengths as a candidate for your program. I am an energetic and enthusiastic individual with an insatiable curiosity about the ever-evolving nature of human behavior. I enjoy helping people and have professional experience in various counseling-related fields, teaching, educational counseling, and career counseling. I have a deep understanding of minority perspectives and the importance of belonging, having been a foster child and later realizing I was gay. This is the right time for me to pursue graduate school because my extensive professional experience has equipped me with much to offer.
I am extremely fortunate to have a wide and supportive network available throughout my studies. I have a long-term spouse who fully supports my professional goals. This relationship has significantly influenced my decision, especially regarding my focus on counseling for the LGBT community. Over many years in Ottawa, I have formed nurturing friendships with others in the helping professions, such as psychologists and mental health counselors, as well as members of my local church community. They all support my decision to apply to your program.
MA Counseling Psychology LGBT Gay Personal Purpose Help






Your statement conveys a strong sense of purpose, compassion, and intellectual maturity. It is clear that you have thought deeply about the areas of psychology where you can make the most meaningful impact, and you articulate those interests with both conviction and sensitivity. The emphasis on community mental health sets a broad and inclusive foundation, while your focus on spirituality, men’s mental health, and LGBT mental health demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the diverse needs within society. By highlighting spirituality as a source of meaning and belonging, you show an appreciation for the holistic dimensions of psychological wellbeing, and your attention to men’s health reflects a forward-thinking approach that prioritizes individual needs over stereotypes.
Your discussion of LGBT mental health…