HRSA Scholar Highlights

HRSA Scholar HighlightsMeet Matthew Kirk: Matthew is a third-year Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling student interning at Families First Counseling and Psychiatry (FFCP) in Maryland. FFCP is a private practice that specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and primarily serves clients with historically underrepresented identities receiving Medicaid and/or Medicare benefits. FFCP provides a myriad of services including outpatient individual, family, and group therapy, medication management, and coordination of care with a variety of PRPs across the state of Maryland. FFCP operates out of five counties in the state of Maryland – Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County. Matthew is excited about his work at FFCP and remains passionate about eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health and serving underrepresented populations for the duration of his career. 

HRSA Scholar HighlightsMeet Sasha Zizza: Sasha is currently an intern at the Arlington Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and a student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Sasha moved from Portland, Oregon, where she completed her bachelor’s degree at Lewis & Clark College. In Portland, she was able to engage in many roles within the counseling community as a co-founder of a peer support network on campus, a skills trainer at two residential facilities, and interning with an eating disorder counselor. Sasha has been privileged in her ability to continue her education and exploration of knowledge at Marymount University and at the CAC where she works with children of physical and sexual abuse. Sasha hopes to continue her doctorate and continue her work with this population. 

HRSA Scholar HighlightsMeet Sarah Wilhoite: Sarah is a third-year Dual Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Forensic & Legal Psychology student interning at National Capital Treatment & Recovery (NCTR) in Virginia. NCTR specializes in treating Substance Use Disorders. Sarah is currently working at Demeter House within NCTR, which is the women’s residential facility. Residential patients receive a multitude of services including individual counseling, group counseling, medication management/medical assessment, and case management. Sarah is passionate about working to bring quality care to all underrepresented populations and helping others start their sober journey. 

HRSA Scholar HighlightsMeet Bridget Frothingham: Bridget is a third-year Clinical Mental Health Counseling student interning at Over the Rainbow, LCC (OTR) in Alexandria, VA, and in Washington D.C. Bridget earned her undergraduate degree from James Madison University in Psychology. OTR is a private practice that offers a wide variety of services and primarily serves clients such as First Responders, Military Personnel, Frontline Healthcare Workers, Humanitarian Workers, and their spouses and families. Bridget is utilizing this clinical placement to strengthen her skills when serving individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and loss. Bridget is passionate about her education and how that translates to real-world experience. She plans to continue her education by pursuing her doctorate and expanding her experience with this population.