Alumni

Mikaela (Mika) Quintinita, '21, initially entered the world of therapy as a young college-aged client needing support. She was frustrated by the lack of understanding and representation she dealt with on her journey to hopefully find someone who would just get it. Spoiler alert: she didn't. At least not yet. Her desire to uncover people's stories only grew as she volunteered as a youth leader to high school students and worked as a preschool assistant teacher. Despite where her career took her, she knew it would eventually lead back to the world of therapy. 

Knowing personally the significance of understanding the impact of one's cultural and religious experiences on mental health, Mika gravitated towards Seattle U's MACFT program because of its focus on developing culturally-sensitive therapists. The professors challenged her to embrace her own identity as a Filipino-American and do the work as authentically as she could. Through her clinical internship at a community mental health agency, she was reminded again of how important it is for clients to know that there are therapists who will truly see them. Upon graduation, she earned her license as a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA) and decided to open up her own private practice where she encourages adult individuals and couples to discover, embrace, and express their authentic selves.

Heather Calhoun, a 2019 graduate and licensed Marriage and Family Associate (LMFTA) in Washington state, chose the Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy (MACFT) program because of its holistic approach to clinical work.  

Heather discovered early her passion for helping empower families, marriages, and women. However, as a newly married college graduate with a young daughter and a newborn, she put her dream on hold to support her own family. She worked as a senior claims examiner after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She always told herself once her eldest child graduated from college, she would return to school to pursue her master’s. The same week that she was celebrating her daughter’s graduation from college and her job offer at a large architecture firm, Heather was laid off. At this crossroad, she realized it was time to pursue the dream she held onto for twelve years and enrolled in the MACFT program. “My experience in the MACFT program has been so fruitful,” Heather says. 

Heather now works in agency settings providing systemic therapy to families and groups. 

For prospective students, Heather offers this advice: “Buckle up, hold on, and enjoy the transformation ride.” 

Nick Mabbutt, a 2019 graduate and licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA) in Washington state, was first exposed to the world of therapy after he obtained his bachelor’s degree in exercise science and his master’s degree in sport management. For two years, he worked in the health and wellness field, hoping to help people fulfill their fitness goals and discover their potential to live a healthier lifestyle. However, like many recent graduates, he initially felt unsatisfied with his career path. When Nick chose to follow his heart and apply to the MACFT program, his outlook on his professional journey changed.  

Nick says, “I felt like this could be my home for the next few years.” 

Nick’s desire to become a therapist was refueled by the experiences and new lessons he gained through the program. 

He currently works in a group clinical practice, guiding people toward positive outcomes and fulfilling lives. 

Nick says that his biggest takeaway from the program was “The idea of being present to clients and being able to hold a safe space, which entails compassion, empathy, and listening skills.” 

Nick enjoyed becoming the best version of himself through the coursework and training. He remembers the program as one of inclusivity and compassion, and one that has helped him professionally. 

Patricia Gould, a 2019 graduate and licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA) in Alaska, was concerned about the lack of therapy in the Latino community and was inspired to make systemic change. Patricia worked as the Director of Hispanic Ministry for a Catholic parish in Anchorage, Alaska for four years. She provided pastoral care and spiritual companionship for people who struggled to find resources in their language. Noticing the need for diversity in therapy, Patricia applied to the Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy (MACFT) degree. 

“The MACFT degree is the program that allowed me to help those seeking healthy answers to their painful situations,” Patricia said. 

Patricia chose the MACFT program because of its integrative approach on the relationship between mind, body, and spirit and its emphasis on diversity. In her private practice in Alaska, she witnesses the importance of these values firsthand. She knows communities need therapists who can communicate effectively with clients in their own language. During her time in the MACFT program, Patricia learned the importance of embracing her own roots and experiences and using them to enrich her career as a therapist. 

“In classes, professors emphasized the importance of the therapist’s identity and invited us to not leave out of the session who we are, but on the contrary, proudly embrace our roots, experiences and enrich our career with them. They described how to dance with knowledge, theories, techniques, spirit, and heart, and do it in such a way that others wish to accompany us in the dance.”

Arynn Prescott, a 2022 graduate and licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA) in Washington state, chose the Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy (MACFT) program because of its commitment to honor people's wholeness, the program’s values of inclusion and justice, as well as the incredibly supportive SeattleU leadership.

Although the pandemic touched everyone’s lives in some way, Arynn started the program with an additional loss as her mother passed away in the weeks prior to classes starting. This profound loss ignited a passion to support grieving couples and families and those suffering from preemptive grief while caregiving.

In her undergraduate work, Arynn majored in Psychology and minored in Family Relations and Human Development. The latter provided an introductory lens for viewing people and their problems relationally.  A relational view of human identity and struggle was eye-opening to her.

After graduating, she is now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA) offering systemic therapy at a private TeleTherapy practice specializing in couples navigating disconnection and loss, caregiving stress, and parent-adult child estrangement. She is passionate about systemic resilience and accessible care. She also feels the program prepared her for a rewarding career and for pursuing state licensure.

For prospective students, Arynn offers this advice: “This program is transformative, filled with space for reflection and growth, and the leadership team provides a structure that will give you exactly what you need, at the time you need it. That said, the program skills and internship experience build on each other, very intentionally, and require you to trust the process as it unfolds.”