Darnnellyz Batista
Darnnellyz Batista was a dedicated student of Merrimack’s M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Drawn to the program for its emphasis on developing practical skills and providing internship opportunities, Darnnellyz found a supportive community among her professors and peers. “During my interview, I felt the warmth, professionalism and shared interest in mental health from my current professors. After this interview, I knew that Merrimack was my number one choice,” she explained.
Darnnellyz’s desire to positively impact the lives of others and her strong interest in psychology inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in a helping profession, and Merrimack’s program is assisting her in achieving her career goals. Her dedication led her to an internship at Children’s Friend and Family Services, a Division of Justice Resource Institute, where she was offered a full-time position as a Clinician.
“The most important lesson that a faculty member taught me is that I am enough. Throughout my journey as a graduate student, there were times when I questioned my abilities, knowledge, and clinical instincts. The faculty taught me to have more confidence in myself and encouraged me to persevere through the most difficult times.”
Darnnellyz’s ultimate goal is to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and pursue a Doctorate Degree in Psychology. With the skills, training, and knowledge gained throughout her master’s program, Darnnellyz is confident in her ability to succeed on the licensing exam, which she plans to take within the next year. She believes that the experience and knowledge gained in her master’s program will also be invaluable when it comes time to apply for a doctoral program. Over the next two years, Darnnellyz plans to continue to work hard and prepare herself for her future career as a mental health counselor.
For prospective students considering the Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program, Darnnellyz has some advice:
“Merrimack goes above and beyond when it comes to educating and preparing students for the career in their chosen field of study and would definitely recommend applying!”
