Sandra Lorden is an addictions counseling master’s fellow in the 2022-2023 class of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) with the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). She became a licensed chemical dependency counselor (L.C.D.C.) in 2018, and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2020 from Tarleton State University, where she is presently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Currently, Sandra is a clinical manager at the Cenikor Foundation in Dallas Texas as well as an 8-year board member for the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP) where she is the Social Media Chair. Her professional interests include community-based counseling, access to counseling for incarcerated women, addictions counseling, and substance use disorder treatment.
Sandra was initially introduced to the MFP through her pursuit to continue her educational and professional endeavors and expand her network. She shared, “I was looking for a cohort of students and professionals that could get me to the next level in my career.”
When reflecting on how the MFP has enriched her academic and professional career, Sandra shared that she has gained invaluable knowledge and has had opportunities to expand her professional and academic connections. She stated, “I have made incredible connections and have learned much about myself and those I serve. This has been an amazing opportunity overall! I was already established with my local chapter of TAAP, which is the state affiliate of NAADAC. But since I have been accepted into the MFP, I have made connections on a national level. These connections are a wealth of knowledge and experience that I get to tap into now!”
Presently Sandra is working in her community as a clinician servicing a residential treatment facility in addition to incarcerated women. She shared, “Through my work at the Cenikor Foundation, I provide and oversee clinical service for an all-male short-term residential treatment facility. I also volunteer my time at Tarrant County Jail in their re-entry program, where I provide free counseling and cognitive recovery classes to the women incarcerated there.”
Sandra plans to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from the MFP as a clinician and community advocate. She stated, “I plan to broaden my scope and become culturally competent so that I can provide affirmative therapy to my clients in the future.”
After completing her master’s program, Sandra’s post-MFP career goals include continuing to practice and serve incarcerated populations in her community. She explained, “I am looking forward to developing a community continuum of care for women being released from incarceration.”
When asked if she had advice for anyone thinking about applying to the MFP, Sandra remarked, “Absolutely do it! This has been a life changing experience, and I want everybody to have that opportunity.”
Sandra had these great comments to share about her current experience in the NBCC-MFP. She remarked, “The NBCC has done some amazing training sessions so far! They all are relevant topics that can be used within the population I serve!”