ALUMNI PROFILES chelsea holmes PROGRAM
Masters in Clinical Psychology - 2013 CURRENT JOB
Counselor at Santa Barbara City College’s Transfer Center
Building
Bridges
“It’s emotionally challenging - I
learned so much about myself.”
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Chelsea Holmes is an open-hearted listener who puts anyone in her presence at ease. Unlike many Master’s in Clinical Psychology students who have an eye towards clinical practice and MFT licensing, from the outset Chelsea wanted psychology training for another setting. She is a counselor at Santa Barbara City College’s Transfer Center, a position she finds deeply gratifying. She loves the relationships she has been able to develop with her students, the guidance she can give them as she helps them define their goals and choose the right institutions to attend. Her training at Antioch was invaluable because her City College students have gone through so much. Half of them work full time and have families to support. They have to sort through all kinds of challenges. “They may get accepted to their dream school, but whether they can afford it is another matter. They eke their way through school on financial aid and loans and working full time.” Chelsea explains that it doesn’t take much for students to hit a brick wall. It they face a crisis,
or their grades dip, she works with them to get back on track. She struggles to keep them focused on the challenges while also remaining compassionate and caring. “It’s a wonderful program.” Chelsea completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies at UCSB, and when she started to think about graduate school, she sought a program with smaller classes. Her mentor at UCSB suggested Antioch. She instantly gravitated toward the more intimate setting of the MA in Clinical Psychology program. “At UCSB, I rarely got to know my professors,” she says. She got “book smarts” there, but it was the Antioch MA program that really tested her. “It’s emotionally challenging – I learned so much about myself.” Chelsea says completing her education at Antioch was the best choice she could have made, an investment in herself that is paying off in large dividends.