Sample APA Personal Statement of Purpose Counseling

Sample APA Personal Statement of Purpose in Counseling, Veterans Issues

I've found deep spiritual fulfillment through my volunteer work at XXXX Recovery Center in XXXX, Texas, where I connect with residents. Working with individuals battling addiction has significantly contributed to my intellectual growth and enhanced my compassion and empathy. Many of these women are homeless, isolated, and lack family support. Some have lost custody of their children through the court system and face uncertainty about their future as mothers. In conversations with them, I'm often struck by our similarities. By focusing on these commonalities, I can effectively use my empathy to empower them to become survivors and overcome their addictions. Empathy is crucial in challenging the stereotype that labels them as "broken." These are the individuals I aspire to support and work with after completing my master’s degree program.

Aside from its convenient location, I am determined to attend the prestigious master's program in Counseling at XXXX University, the sole program I am applying to. My passion for pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling has grown over the past six years, and I have prepared myself to excel in your program. I am grateful for a supportive husband who encourages me in this endeavor. I am confident that my life experiences and dedication to the recovery process have equipped me with the skills needed to succeed. I seek the opportunity to expand my skills and knowledge at XXXX University to maximize my professional potential.

After earning my degree and becoming a licensed professional counselor at XXXX University, I plan to continue working in a recovery center near Austin, Texas. I enjoy working with clients from diverse backgrounds and have learned much from the women in our groups. Facilitating groups where women share their experiences, strength, and hope is where I feel most at ease. Recovery centers offer the chance to work with individuals and groups. I am particularly excited about the integration of Yoga into treatment plans, as I am a Yoga enthusiast. I have completed my 200-hour Yoga Training Certification and am working towards introducing Yoga to clients recovering from trauma and addiction. I see Yoga as a valuable complement to life and mental health counseling, especially for those dealing with depression, anxiety, addiction, and trauma.

I have thoroughly read Dr. XXXX’s books: A Contemporary Approach to Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling and A Counselor’s Introduction to Neuroscience. These works have deepened my understanding of the complexities of my field. I am eager to learn about creative and developmental approaches for clients struggling with addiction and trauma. Understanding the neuroscience of addiction and trauma has helped me recognize that addiction is not a moral failing. I am committed to lifelong learning in this area, staying updated on literature about trauma and addiction's effects on the brain, and exploring treatment methods to restore health.

Dr. XXXX’s work incorporating Yoga into therapy is fascinating and inspiring. I am especially interested in Yoga's effectiveness in reducing anxiety and depression. Research on Yoga as therapy is limited, and I am eager to learn how it has helped her clients. After exploring Dr. XXXX’s work, I am interested in her experience assisting individuals with trauma-related emotional issues. Many in the recovery community suffer from both addiction and trauma, and I am keen to learn effective methods for helping them. I am also intrigued by Dr. XXXX’s development of the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Method and how it aids clients in processing distressing memories.

My first career was in the Navy. In 2002, I received the Commanding Officer’s Personal Excellence Award, given to only three of the 320 students at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Program for outstanding volunteer hours. My Navy service allowed me to appreciate diversity through visits to countries like Canada, Australia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia. Alongside my British husband, I have also traveled to England, Australia, and Mexico. I am proud to be the first in my family to graduate from college. I realized around age twelve that both my parents were untreated alcoholics. I later learned that my mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was three, a fact kept secret due to its perceived shame. A decade ago, she was admitted to a mental hospital, and my parents divorced. She spent her remaining years in and out of hospitals until her death in 2011. Though throat cancer was the official cause, it was alcoholism that claimed her life. Her memory propels me forward. Unlike many children of abuse and neglect, I was fortunate to have my grandparents, who provided unconditional love and acceptance. They taught us that a successful life is measured by service to others, not social status or wealth. My grandmother volunteered weekly at our local church and homeless shelter, instilling in us that service is both an ethical duty and vital to our happiness. At thirty-six, I have come to value a career that brings purpose and meaning to my life and those I serve.

From a young age, I vowed never to become an alcoholic, believing determination alone would save me. Yet, despite my efforts, my genetic predisposition and unresolved trauma led to alcoholism from ages 28 to 32. Now, I am nearly five years into recovery without a drink or desire for one. In 2012, I entered a thirty-day treatment program, where I saw women as desperate as I was getting sober daily. Therapists taught us to apply the twelve steps for sobriety and long-term recovery. Initially, I prayed daily for sobriety, not expecting it to last. Somehow, I managed to accumulate enough days to believe I deserved a fulfilling life. A motto in our recovery community is “You can only keep what you give away” and our responsibility to “carry the message to those who still suffer.” These principles led me to volunteer at the Austin Recovery Center in Buda, Texas, where I was once a resident. In January 2017, I began leading meditation sessions with women every Saturday. Meditation and Yoga became crucial to my sobriety, and sharing my practice felt like the best way to give back. Initially, I doubted my ability to help, but my Yoga teacher’s words stayed with me: “the best teachers are the best students.”

I chose to major in Engineering in college because my most supportive teachers were in math and science. Wanting their approval, I pursued their dreams instead of my own. I now realize I sought validation through straight A’s and an engineering degree, ignoring my desires. After my first year of college, I struggled to balance full-time engineering studies and work. I joined the Navy’s esteemed Naval Nuclear program for its training, bonus, and GI Bill, securing my future education. I earned my BS in Nuclear Engineering Technology while on active duty, preserving my GI Bill for further studies. I am proud of my Navy experience and training, and I was honorably discharged in 2008. After discharge, I returned to college for a bachelor’s in electrical engineering, complementing my Navy training. Three years later, I was miserable balancing the curriculum and raising my three-year-old. I accepted a corporate recruiting job in Austin, Texas, my favorite city, as a way out.

I felt shame for not completing my electrical engineering degree, but I now understand it wasn’t my true passion. In 2010, I moved to Austin, and the stress of single parenting triggered my addictive behaviors. I hid it for two years until my fiancé discovered my drinking. With his support, I entered a thirty-day inpatient program, wanting to change my life but unsure how. I dedicated the following years to therapy and maintaining sobriety through a twelve-step program. I found a passion for service and helping others with addiction. Through this work, I found a meaningful life, both professionally and personally. A counseling degree will enhance my ability to help others, fulfilling my recovery.

The idea of becoming a certified counselor emerged while observing counselors during my treatment. I was advised to wait a year of sobriety before pursuing a new career. I spent those years focusing on recovery and caring for my family. My desire to become a counselor remained strong, as it is the profession where I can best serve others and find inspiration for growth. My struggle with alcoholism and recovery experience is an asset, not a source of shame. My best therapists were those who overcame addiction and maintained their recovery. In early sobriety, I often doubted my strength, but my counselor’s recovery stories gave me hope. Hope is powerful and can inspire others when they feel weak. Nothing excites me more than inspiring clients with hope. I am a lifelong student of Counseling and Yoga, always learning and sharing my experiences.

I have a research interest in incarcerated women with substance abuse histories. Michelle Stanton-Tindall’s article from the National Institute of Justice states that up to 98% of women offenders have a history of substance abuse, and nearly half were under the influence during their offense. This statistic raises questions for me. Could individualized mental health care and group therapy during incarceration expedite successful reintegration? I have read about the limited mental health care for prisoners and how, as a future mental health professional, I might help society understand that these women are not inherently bad but victims of circumstances deserving second chances. I aim to reduce recidivism rates for alcoholics and addicts released from prison and am interested in international methods. These questions arise when I meet people in recovery who have experienced the prison system.

Yoga and meditation are vital to my recovery. For many, attending meetings and therapy isn’t enough for healing. Recovery is holistic, addressing addiction, anxiety, trauma, neglect, etc. Healing the mind through therapy, the body through movement and nutrition, and the spirit through meditation are essential for recovery. Many view the mind-body-spirit connection as a new-age trend, but as a researcher, I aim to explore evidence of Yoga’s role in healing and how therapists incorporate it into practice.

One of my favorite quotes is by Mother Teresa, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” Although not aspiring to sainthood, this quote resonates with anyone wanting to make a difference, big or small. Many wish to improve society through activism and service but fear their efforts are insignificant. Daily, I see small efforts creating miracles in recovery communities, where one addict or alcoholic helps another. There is no elite group sustaining the community; it thrives because millions contribute by helping one person at a time.

Thank you for considering my application to Counseling at XXXX University.

References

Stanton-Tindall (2010).  Female Offender Drug Use and Related Issues.  National Institute of Justice. Retrieved January 24 2018 from: https://nij.gov/topics/drugs/markets/adam/documents/staton-paper.pdf

Sample APA Personal Statement of Purpose in Counseling, Veteran