Allison Joyal recently completed her 2022-2023 master’s-level fellowship with the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Foundation. She is a 2023 graduate of the master’s in professional counseling program from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi and is a first-year doctoral student in counselor education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Texas A&M University–College Station in 2020. Currently, she is a Licensed professional counselor associate at Youvolve Healing Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she provides counseling services to women and children. Allison’s research and clinical interests include children’s and maternal mental health, trauma-informed care, and play therapy. Allison strives to promote growth in her populations of interest through early intervention, accessible mental health services, advocacy, and decreasing stigma.
Initially, Allison envisioned working with children in hospital settings. When asked about how those ideas have evolved since her participation in the MFP she shared, “I envisioned myself working in a pediatric hospital or in an agency prior to starting the MFP. Now that I have completed the MFP, my life looks so different in the best way. I left the MFP with an enhanced ability to identify who I am as a clinician and what I need to do to serve the populations to which I am committed. Through professional networking in the MFP, I have discovered who I am as a newly licensed clinician and what I truly want for my career. The MFP gave me the confidence to pivot my plans and embark on a journey in a group practice where I can serve in spaces I would not have prior to the experience of the MFP.”
Allison was drawn to the MFP because the program’s mission aligns with her goals as a clinician in addition to the opportunities for implementing change in Hispanic/Latinx communities. She shared, “The mission of the NBCC resonated with my personal and professional values. I believe that it takes more than awareness to enact change. Intentional action is imperative to help bridge the gaps we have identified in mental health care for underserved populations. As a Latina, I value organizations that provide safe spaces to be authentically yourself and promote diversity as a counselor.”
Reflecting on its impact on her career, Allison credits the MFP’s mentorship for her professional and academic growth and for providing experiences that have shaped her growing sense of identity. She stated, “The MFP provided a mentor with shared identities and experience to myself, to guide me as I strived towards similar goals. The mentorship I received not only increased my confidence but steered me in the direction of seeking opportunities that I would not have without my mentor’s support. Additionally, I am a part of the Latinx fellows community that embraces every shade, spoken language, and cultural similarities or differences, that we have as Latinx individuals. I know that I can reach out to my Latinx fellow community at any time and have the support I need. The MFP provided me with a lifelong network and friendships that will be in my corner when I need them in my professional journey.”
Allison went on to state, “I have struggled to find professionals that can provide the support and guidance I need as a Latina counselor and incoming doctoral student. Navigating the professional world is challenging as a Latina, and it can feel isolating due to a lack of representation. My mentorship experience has been the most beneficial relationship I have had in my early career as an aspiring registered play therapist and counselor educator.”
Further reflecting on how she was able to leverage the skills and knowledge acquired during her fellowship, Allison shared that the MFP provided the foundational knowledge that she applies to her professional work. She further stated, “I have been able to share resources with my peers and colleagues and improve the ways in which I serve my clients. Due to the training and play therapy mentorship I received, I am better equipped to serve children and adolescents than I was prior to the MFP. I took the tools from the MFP and gained the confidence to implement them in my practice and share that wealth of knowledge with my community.”
In addition to her academic studies, Allison works at a local healing center. She shared, “I am an LPC-Associate at Youvolve Healing Center and serve children from ages 3-12. I work with children who are healing from trauma, parent loss, and other developmental concerns. Additionally, I help women and mothers in a community that is limited in culturally responsive care and maternal mental health counseling resources. In group practice, I collaborate with other professionals to improve our community, empower minority clinicians, and lift the voices of the underserved.”
When asked what career-building advice she would offer to the current MFP fellows, Allison stated, “Collaborate with others and view each other as a resource, not as competition. This work cannot be done in solitude and more can get accomplished when we work together.”
When asked what advice she has for anyone considering applying to the MFP, Allison remarked, “As an alum, I cannot emphasize enough how life changing this opportunity was. I would not have the support system or career opportunities that I have right now if it were not for the MFP. I attribute a lot of the growth I have seen in myself to the year I spent as an MFP fellow. You will not regret hitting submit on your application.”
Further reflecting on her MFP fellowship experience, Allison shared, “The NBCC Foundation staff and advisory council genuinely care about every single fellow. The NBCC Foundation prepared me for life outside of the classroom. Without this training, it would be harder to navigate the professional world and discover who I am as a counselor, post-graduation. As an alum, I know that I can reach out at any time and have the support I need. It truly is as amazing as it sounds.”