“Pray, pray, pray. There will be times of high stress and anxiety and you must be able to go back to that moment when God assured you that this is the path He has chosen for you. It is my opinion that you cannot find a better program than the one at LCU. I was so blessed to pursue my master’s degree there and I believe, by the grace of God, that this blessing now flows out to those I get to serve each day.”
Susan Haerr (LCU ’15, MA in Counseling) is employed as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the outpatient division of Chaddock in Quincy, IL. Chaddock is an agency that specializes in treating people with issues of trauma and attachment, but also sees clients with a wide variety of presenting problems.
“My MA in Counseling degree is the reason I am equipped for this job,” states Susan. “Daily, I am faced with profound stories of trauma and heartache. My MAC professors prepared me to face this challenge with compassion and professional integrity. As I consult with other professionals in the field, I am realizing more and more just how special LCU’s MAC program is. I get comments from other professionals telling me how impressed they are as I tell them of my experience there.”
Susan cannot share specifics about the difficult situations she faces, but she can tell us the guidance of her LCU professors is continually in the back of her mind. She says, “The confidence they have shown in me is humbling and helps me to face these situations with a calm assurance.”
Susan learned of the Lincoln Christian Seminary MA in Counseling (MAC) from a recommendation on a Christian mental health forum. “I knew that I wanted a program that would teach me how to integrate my faith with my professional practice, and as I researched the program, God told me clearly that this was the program He had chosen for me.” She continues, “It would be some time before I fully understood all of the benefits. I am so grateful now for that direction, in light of the excellent leadership and teaching and the practical benefits of graduating from a CACREP accredited Program.”
Susan drove two and a half hours each way to her classes on the LCU campus. However, the ability to stay in the dorms for a small fee made this workable. The daunting drive was easily adapted to, but the struggle of balancing home and school took a little more effort. “Whenever I was at school, I felt guilty for not being at home with my husband and children. When I was at home, I felt pressure to be studying,” explains Susan. “Over time, I figured out the balance and our family actually learned to work better as a team as a result. I have such a special extended family that helped to fill in the gaps during my hectic schedule, and this made all the difference in my ability to stay focused.”
The Haerrs are members of The Crossing in Hannibal, MO – an Independent Christian Church- where they serve in the children’s ministry.