I am back in school. The picture is of my cohort and I’m on the bottom right. At 55 I started a Ph.D. program last August. I’m in the Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral program at the Townsend Institute at Concordia University in Irvine, CA. The program is online so I didn’t move to California…although it sure is beautiful there. I have been teaching for the Townsend Institute’s Master’s in Counseling program since 2017. I love teaching but realized I want to increase my effectiveness in my work with students. It’s also a benefit to my clients. The program focuses on expanding my counseling skills, increasing my effectiveness in educating and supervising future counselors, equipping my research-brain to expand knowledge in counseling and counselor education, and advocating for various aspects in the counseling field.
It’s a long road and if all goes well I hope to complete the requirements by December 2024. I hesitated to start this program since I’m kind of old. I know, I’m not 80 but most people my age are starting to think about retiring. I’m not. I’m getting a second wind. I want to stay active both physically and intellectually and this is my way of achieving that. Well, not the physical part. That’s up to me to make sure I take care of my body. But the intellectual part is definitely being challenged right now. I’m in a research methods class that has been kicking my butt! Youtube videos of research terms has been invaluable!
The point of all this is to say, I’m so sorry but posting on this site is going to be very sporadic…like it has been lately. If you are ever in need of encouragement, I have hundreds of posts. I posted nearly every week from 2012 to 2021. That’s a lot of posts! Go check them out. Maybe I will get someone to help me organize them so they are easier to find. 😉
Journey Forward 
Congratulations Karen!! I know you will be awesome in whatever capacity/counseling/teaching position you do once you complete your PhD.. Brad and I wish you all the very best in your education and career. We also want to wish you and Dave and your beautiful family a healthy, safe, and the “joy of the Lord” in your life … we’ve all been very busy the past 2 years despite Covid so communication with you and other dear friends from Colorado had unfortunately been infrequent. We are moving to Nashville area this April.., will send out new address announcements in the coming months🙏❤️🥰
Best wishes, Cathy & Brad
Moving to Nashville?! I look forward to hearing about it 🙂
Thanks for your encouragement!!! We hope you and Brad have a smooth transition.
Truly excited for you & this new endeavor. I have appreciated your insights and wisdom through the years. May God bless your hard work as you continue to bless so many. Give Dave our greetings and enjoy your studies.
Thank you, Cathy! I’m really grateful I get to do what I’m doing. 🙂
Karen,
So great that you are doing your doctoral work. It’s never too late. My brother who teaches in leadership in TI will finish his doctorate in leadership at 70.
I know you will continue to learn and grow and pass this on to your clients!
Thank you, Jerry! I wondered if Barry was your brother. So relatively speaking, I’m a young ‘un! 😉
Karen, you are amazing. You have a passion and so many gifts that you will certainly continue to use. I appreciate your updates and reading about the recent things that you are adding to your toolbox. It is really exciting! Mary Jo Barbeau
Thank you, Mary Jo! I appreciate your excitement 🙂