Gabrielle Cardenas is a master’s level clinical mental health counseling fellow with the National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation (NBCC). Gabrielle is a current clinical mental health counseling student at the University of North Texas specializing in play therapy. She received a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2018. While completing her master’s, Gabrielle began her current role as a behavioral health technician, where she assists with providing effective behavior therapy and teaching functional life skills to children on the autism spectrum.
When reflecting on how the MFP has enriched her academic and professional career thus far, Gabrielle shared that her experience as a fellow provided tremendous support for her professional growth and development. She stated, “The MFP has helped me identify a clear vision, which I am fulfilling each day as a student and counselor in training. I feel so grateful to be a fellow and to be among such incredible colleagues who are passionate about embodying the change we want to see in the world. I appreciate the structure of the MFP and the challenge to create objectives that are achievable yet require us to stretch ourselves. I am excited to accomplish my goals and meet my objectives within my fellowship year and hopeful for my future career.”
Gabrielle was introduced to the MFP by someone who was in the program. She shared, “I was encouraged to apply to the Minority Fellowship Program while working as a research assistant. The doctoral students I was working with were also fellows, and their work inspired me to explore my interests and identity as a counselor.”
In addition to her academic pursuits, Gabrielle has been working on a project focusing on child-centered play therapy intervention (CCPT). She shared, “While completing my master’s coursework, I was inspired by the work of Dr. Krystal Turner, who studied the impacts of more globally tailored playrooms for CCPT intervention. My current project is in collaboration with Dr. Turner’s initiative for no-cost play therapy interventions for preschool students who would otherwise not receive services. Within my time as a fellow and after graduation, I hope to address the impact of CCPT interventions on low-income families in North Texas.”
Gabrielle plans to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through the MFP to her counseling practice and hopes to be effective in her work in and around her community. She shared, “I aim to integrate the insight I learn from my training as a fellow into the fabric of who I am as a counselor. What I plan to do is take what I learn and use it to strengthen my interpersonal communication and global perspectives, encourage my curiosity, and help me to continuously strive toward a more comprehensive and loving world.”
After completing her current fellowship, Gabrielle plans to continue her education. She explained, “After my fellowship year, I plan to continue my education and apply to the University of North Texas for my doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision.”
When asked what advice she would give someone considering applying to the MFP, Gabrielle enthusiastically said, “Absolutely apply. It is a wonderful opportunity to explore your personal and professional interests as a future counselor. You will thank yourself later for taking the time to apply!”
In closing, Gabrielle shared these encouraging remarks about the MFP, "It is great to have a vision, but to have a vision that an entire committee supports feels different. It’s like having a network of incredible leaders in the field of counseling tell you, “Yes, you can do what you dream of! Go for it, and show us that you can!” She went on to say this about the NBCC Foundation, “I have found all the communication professional and considerate. The NBCC Foundation cares about each of us and wants us to succeed in the program!”