Student Stories: Maria Helena Buitrago Cohoon

The following is part of an ongoing series highlighting the experiences and accomplishments of students in the Morrison Family College of Health. 

About the Student

Maria Helena Buitrago Cohoon, Master of Arts (MA) with direct admission to the Doctorate in Counseling Psychology (PsyD), enrolled in the PsyD program at the time of this interview. Her main area of interest is working with college students and supporting their growth and development. 

Why are you pursuing a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology and what made you choose the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Professional Psychology? 

I am pursuing a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology to allow me to achieve my dream of being a psychologist and further my education. Additionally, a PsyD will make my career goals more achievable.

I chose the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Professional Psychology for a few reasons. First, the direct admission program allowed me to focus on my studies and practicum without having the additional stress of re-applying to graduate school for my doctorate. Second, the faculty's areas of interest align with mine, and I was able to find a faculty member who understands my passion for college students to chair my dissertation committee. Third, St. Thomas has a variety of graduate assistantships available, and this has made graduate school more financially accessible for me.  

How are your experiences at the University of St. Thomas preparing you for a career in the field of counseling psychology?

My experiences at the University of St. Thomas are preparing me for a career in counseling in many ways. The most salient is through practicum: I am gaining relevant experience within the areas I am interested (university settings/university clinics). Additionally, the Graduate School of Professional Psychology has opportunities for extracurricular involvement through the Graduate Student Organization (GSO), and I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the GSO Board for two years.