Mwaniki Mwangi '08

The emphasis on experiential learning integrated with strong clinical training was what really attracted me to Smith. I knew that the unique combination of intense summer courses with in-depth intern training, which the block plan at Smith affords, would give me the experience I was looking for when preparing to do clinical work. Being given the opportunity to work in different parts of the country was another important aspect of the program that attracted me to Smith. The fact that Smith has an anti-racism mission made me feel confident that I was entering a program which was dedicated to addressing the same issues that I  have faced my entire life and will encounter in the field when doing clinical work.

The classes I have taken while at Smith have been important in terms of my growth as a clinician. The program at Smith really makes an effort to give students the strong theoretical base they will need when doing psychodynamic clinical work in the field with individuals, families and groups. The faculty has vast knowledge and experience in the field, which translates into great teaching. They are open to feedback and try to support the students as much as possible while on campus during the summer and off campus during the year. The teachers really work on giving us the tools we need to do high quality work.

I live in New York City and spent my entire life growing up there and when I attended undergrad I stayed on the east coast as well, so having the chance to do my first year internship in Berkeley, California was really exciting. I was placed at a community mental health clinic for families, youth and children in South Berkeley. I had the chance to do clinic based therapy and to provide school-based mental health services in a local elementary school as an intern this past year. I had an amazing experience that really shaped the way I see myself as a clinician in the future. The supervision I got while at my agency really stimulated my growth as well. Next year I will be working at a community counseling center in the Bronx, New York that is affiliated with one of the city's largest mental health agencies. Both of my internship placements and my experience taking classes in the summer will prepare me to work with children and families as part of my career in this field. Smith has already had such a positive impact on my personal and professional identity so far; I can't wait to see what lies ahead in the next year.