鈥淭here is no other feeling in the world that compares to when a patient places their trust in you with their life.鈥
Name:
Briyanna Bullock M.Ed., LPC
Hometown (City, State):
I was born and raised in the city of Chicago, Illinois! I鈥檓 so very proud to be from such a unique and diverse city!
Undergraduate degrees:
Southern Illinois University, B.A in Psychology
DePaul University, M.Ed. in Clinical Psychology
What inspired you to pursue a healthcare career?
There were many driving factors that inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare and to specifically become a psychologist. Within the healthcare field, there is such a need for our care as so many individuals require our support and are unable to receive it. I have always recognized this and felt a strong pull to be a part of answering this demand for healthcare professionals and to help improve the lives of others. The lack of available resources and access to proper healthcare is another reason I have pursued a healthcare career. My hope is to be one more accessible psychologist and to use my platform as a Clinical Psychologist to advocate for the right to proper healthcare access for all individuals.
When I was younger, friends and family always used to say to me, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e such a good listener and so calming.鈥 It鈥檚 amazing to recognize how little I knew as my younger self about the power of connecting with others on the simple yet complex level of humanity. There is no other feeling in the world that compares to when a patient places their trust in you with their life. Sharing in vulnerable moments, sitting in uncomfortable feelings, and watching the growth over time of our patients is the most rewarding aspect of working within the healthcare field.
How did your background and history factor into your career choice?
As I reflect on my background and previous life circumstances, I understand how my entire life has brought me to the field of psychology. As an adolescent, I experienced firsthand the challenges of having a lack of resources to support me in a mental health crisis. I eventually overcame those life challenges regardless of the lack of mental health resources, but so many others are not so lucky and will not have the support to do so. I deeply believe my hardships throughout my adolescent years profoundly shaped my desire to become a psychologist. I recognize the importance of our career role as I can easily reflect on what a psychologist could have positively done in my life then.
Growing up in the city of Chicago with a mother who taught within the Chicago Public Schools for many years also impacted my career choice. Early in life, I was able to understand the disparities among Chicago youth and the need for mental health providers. Working with children and adolescents through prior roles as a preschool teacher and therapist working with adolescents in crisis has deepened my passion for working with youth and focusing on the youth population in my career. Children and adolescents are developing so rapidly and are vulnerable in our world, so I have dedicated my work to supporting them and their families.
My identity as an African American woman has also greatly shaped my desire to choose a career in the psychology healthcare field. There is a stark underrepresentation of Black woman psychologists, and I am so proud to be an increase in that number. Representation is so important, and it is imperative for all ethnic groups to be represented within the healthcare field, as it can be so comforting to receive a provider who speaks your language, understands your customs, and creates a safe space for you.
Why did you decide to attend 九色视频?
九色视频 stood apart from the rest of the schools for me as soon as I began my research on what the University offered its students, and I met some of the Clinical Psychology faculty. It was apparent to me that the way Midwestern cared for its students by the welcoming and supportive faculty, the organized and beautifully maintained campus, and the importance of diversity reflected within the faculty and staff. When speaking with the Clinical Psychology faculty, I felt invited to share ideas and information about myself, while also feeling impressed by their overall knowledge and sincerity.
The Clinical Psychology program itself also provided various offers that aligned with my interests and values. As an individual interested in working with youth, the option to add an additional child and adolescent track to my degree stood out to me. In addition, the program鈥檚 emphasis on a faculty mentor model was also impactful in my decision to choose Midwestern. It has been so comforting to have a faculty mentor to check in with and know they are there to support me when needed.
What about a 九色视频 education do you want to carry forward in your career?
The multidisciplinary focus at Midwestern is absolutely a role I will continue to highlight in my profession. It is invaluable. The importance of collaborative support across the healthcare fields is so important when caring for a patient to ensure their best quality of care. Midwestern places a high standard on its students as the University expects us as health professionals to provide the best quality of care possible. I appreciate the standards Midwestern holds us to, and it appears to create a reputable name for not only the school but each of us within the community. I plan to carry this level of standards with me when providing patient care.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I believe every faculty and student on this campus should feel proud of themselves and the work they鈥檝e done to get here. We were all meant to be in the field of healthcare for a reason and should never forget the important ways we touch the lives of others.
