moments have been heart-to-heart conversa- tions with people, talking about their emo- tional, family or career issues.” “I have always been interested in helping people, especially those with mental illness, to function better in their lives,” says alumna Elizabeth Samson, a 2012 graduate with an emphasis in forensics. “Before graduate school I took psychology and law courses and that is when I discovered the field of corrections. I wanted to specialize in criminal behavior and psychopathology so I could help those that few want to work with.” “I’m a career changer,” says Kathleen Rice, who will graduate in June of 2017 with an emphasis in expressive arts therapy. “For many decades I have been a special education teacher working with at-risk kids. I wanted to learn about their development and treatment in order to fully help those who have been exposed to trauma and violence. I want to do more.” Perhaps that describes best the motivation of the students and faculty in the William James counseling program; they want to do more. “There is a great need for mental health professionals,” says Dr. Nilda Laboy, Chair of the Counseling Department. “Our program offers areas of emphasis based on the need we have seen in the community.” Those four areas of emphasis train practi- tioners to work with underserved populations in a program that integrates field training with academic experience: Forensic and Correctional Counseling, Health and Behav- ioral Medicine, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Couples and Family Therapy. According to Laboy, “The need for mental health counselors to work with vulnerable populations is particularly critical in the cur- rent sociopolitical environment. “Changes in the United States since the 2016 presidential election are causing stress at the most fundamental levels of society, and this is evidenced by students’ experiences in the field,” she says. “The majority of our students work with underserved populations. Clients have told them that they fear they will be deported or that their status allowing them to remain in the US may change. Those with green cards are afraid to leave the country for fear of not being allowed to return to be with family.” Laboy adds that racism is increasing as well. “Our students relate that people seem to feel they have ‘permission’ to express negative feelings and attitudes toward minority groups. Some of our clients, students and faculty are also discovering that family members, friends and coworkers hold attitudes that denote racism and bigotry. We have many Forensic & Correctional Counseling Health & Behavioral Medicine 14 RAPPORT | Feature Story