Lets get you caught up...
my background
When I was 14, I started volunteering at my church's cafe. They had a full coffee bar as well as several cafe-like food options. I absolutely loved it! Ever since then, I knew I wanted to own my own coffee shop. I had the name picked out and everything! When I was 19, I started working at a local mom and pop coffee house. The owners were amazing and completely took me under their wing! I spent the next year learning everything there was to know about running a coffee shop.
big decisions
In September of 2024, when I wasn't even considering a different career, I felt the Lord speak to me through a video that had popped up on my feed. In the video, they were talking about how to choose the best path for your life when some might seem to be more beneficial for His kingdom than others. (they used the example of finance vs missions work) I knew God was nudging me towards my love for psychology. As I finished the video, I knew that psychotherapy and clinical psychology was what God was calling me towards.
bible college
But where to start? Everything I had been working towards since high school reflected my dream of opening my own shop.
When I had gotten baptized the summer before, my godfather had suggested that I study under Pastor Michael Koulianos at a bible college called Jesus School in Orlando, Florida. After looking into the Jesus Image Church and the coursework they offered, I started feeling more excited about this than any form of education I had researched in the past. I felt called to take this as my first step!
what then?
Now that I knew of my first step, I wanted to plan the rest of my education so that I would have clear checkpoints to work towards. I discovered a program through Colorado Christian University that will allow me to do a dual degree program in psychology with an emphasis in counseling. The online, accelerated format will allow for me to work full time while I complete my degrees.
My goal is to graduate with a Masters in Clinical Psychology. This will allow for me to not only do counseling and therapy, but it will give me the licensing to diagnose. I would love to eventual go into youth focused psychotherapy! My heart is for pre-teen and teenage girls, and I would love to use my degree to help mold and shape them into healthy young women after God's heart!
I need your help!
I am still on my barista mini-salary, which means I don't have a lot of wiggle room to save for my new big adventure. I have created a Christ-centered clothing brand in order to help fund my way! Each piece of clothing is dedicated to one of my friends who has helped me with their endless support, encouragement, laughs, and advice. If you want a perfectly cozy hoodie or a super stylish t-shirt, click the link below!
If you'd still like to support me but hoodies aren't your vibe, no worries! The link below is to my go fund me which you can donate to directly.