Support Shelby Bursk in Becoming a Therapist

Hello, I’m Shelby Bursk and I want to first thank you immensely for your consideration to help my cause. I am so grateful to have been accepted to graduate school for mental health counseling at Seminary of the Southwest! I plan to work as a licensed therapist with children of all ages using elements of play and art therapy. As a former public school teacher, counselor, youth leader, and current child-at-heart I hope to assist children become the best versions of themselves while navigating an ever-changing world. I believe my career path, life events, and experiences have been building up to this very moment and I cannot express how eager I am to start this fall. I feel such a deep calling to this work and a certainty that I was made for it.

Support. Community. Holistic Health. Healing. Love. Interconnectedness. Education.

These concepts have guided me through life to begin the journey I believe I was called to follow in becoming a licensed therapist. The cost of education makes achieving this goal a challenge, but one I will fight for. Becoming a Licensed Clinical Counselor is a big investment; therefore, I am asking for help from friends, family, and anyone who this may resonate with. Any amount is greatly appreciated. I have applied for Federal Aid, local resources, and other scholarship opportunities, but funds are limited at the graduate level. Thank you for any support!

Seminary of the Southwest Classes Begin in Fall 2024

The Seminary of the Southwest is a CACREP-accredited professional counseling program that will train me as a mental health counselor with a license in Texas. The program is a total of 60 credits, and I will finish with my licensure in 3 years. The classes will be night classes and in-person at the Seminary of the Southwest downtown Austin. I am astounded that I get the opportunity to learn in this program. I worked hard to complete my application highlighting why I am meant for this program, followed by a group interview securing me as one of 22 other students in the program. If you’d like to read my application essay click here: Seminary of the Southwest Application Essay. This program is a holistic approach to counseling integrating spirituality and psychology. While this is a Seminary, the CACREP-accredited counseling program does not emphasize Christianity as the only path of spirituality. They are culturally and socially aware of our community and the world we live in. I am grateful to have the opportunity to study under professors who are active therapists themselves understanding the most modern practices and counseling techniques with spiritual integration.

Being Part of a Solution - Mental Health Crisis

My experience as a public education teacher and various positions working with children of all ages I am aware of the mental health demand this part of our community needs. Whether it was working with kindergarten students just discovering their own capacity or high school students struggling with family issues and how to become an adult in such a difficult world, each child I have met or worked with has a special quality to become a beacon of light in our future. They share a special bond to one another, their interests, and themselves. My goal has always been to help children find their own light inside and harness it to work towards being the best version of themselves they can be. While the mental health crisis is only increasing, so does the price of graduate education, limiting our supply of mental health professionals to help children through this life and world. I do not discount how grateful I am to have the opportunity to be asking for funding nor do I discount my ability to fight for my place within the mental health field. And I greatly appreciate your help to get me there.

Plans After Graduation

As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) I plan to work with children of all ages and backgrounds including LGBTQIA groups, groups dealing with grief and loss, groups dealing with anxiety and depression, and unhoused/homeless children. I plan to use my rich experience working with and understanding children to facilitate my journey as a therapist. My therapy practice will include elements of art therapy and play therapy. There has been modern research discussing that traditional talk therapy is not the only way we heal and work through our needs. By using other forms of therapy involving healing the body, we can also heal the mind. I am excited to learn more about these elements in my schooling. I plan to assist our young unhoused population through free counseling sessions, working with their families to find resources, and helping them to get the support every child deserves no matter the circumstances.

ShelbyBurskArt on Etsy

Along with this fundraiser, I have started a sewing project to fund my education and living expenses as I attend! I am happy to continue my art-creating journey and to share it with you all. Check out my current items here: https://shelbyburskart.etsy.com and please follow me on Instagram for updates and to get a glimpse into my creative journey: @shelbyburskart

Thank you for your support financially or otherwise. I am excited to start this journey that I feel called to do and am grateful for my community of friends and family behind me.