For the eighth consecutive year, students in LMU’s Graduate Department of Marital and Family Therapy with Specialized Training in Art Therapy (MFT) have received stipend awards to provide public mental health services to vulnerable and at-risk populations after graduation. The student recipients are Sachi Sosna, Cindy Bryant, Silvia Figueroa, Andrea Verano, Nancy Denq, Anya Kavanaugh.
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health award these stipends in the amount of $18,500 to recruit graduates to work in public mental health agencies providing culturally-sensitive and linguistically-capable services. This year, nearly one-third of MFT students received, or were selected as alternates, for these highly competitive stipend awards. As part of the MFT degree requirement, all students complete practicum training, preparing them to provide treatment to clients in a culturally informed way that promotes social justice.
“These awards are exceptional, as are our six students who were awarded, speaking to their clinical capacities, as well as their commitment to social justice and creativity in supporting healing,” said Einat Metzl, MFT associate professor and department chair. “We are honored to have our students continue to so beautifully illustrate all that the program provides toward starting their careers as clinicians.”
Past recipients have gone on to provide services in community mental health agencies such as Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center, Guidance Center of Long Beach, Hathaway Sycamores Child & Family Services, LA Child Guidance Center/ Wellnest, Pacific Clinics, Para Los Ninos, and Star View Child & Family Services. Treatment services are provided to at-risk populations such as abused children, families who have experienced trauma, individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness at-risk for homelessness, veterans, and clients experiencing marginalization due to immigration status.
Pictured, from left: Sachi Sosna, Cindy Bryant, Silvia Figueroa, Andrea Verano, Nancy Denq, Anya Kavanaugh.
