Hear It From Our Students

Wondering what it's really like to study at the School of Behavioral Health? Don't just take our word for it. The students below represent a wide range of programs—from clinical psychology and social work to marital and family therapy, child life, and more. Their stories reflect what we hear time and again: that the SBH experience is challenging, transformative, and deeply rewarding. We hope their words inspire you to take the next step.

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Student Reyna Mejia Kot
Student Reyna Mejia Kot
Systems, Families, & Couples PhD
The Systems, Families, and Couples PhD program has been the missing piece in my professional journey. It has expanded the foundation I built as a clinician and prepared me to step confidently into research and academia. Our dedicated faculty have recognized the potential in my ideas and guided me in refining them, helping me transform early concepts into research that is both rigorous and purposeful. With their balance of support and challenge, I’m moving into the next chapter of my career with clarity and purpose.
Reyna Mejia Kot
Student Jacob Lui looks off-camera and smiles. He is standing on a bridge and wearing business casual attire. Trees are visible in the background.
Student Jacob Lui looks off-camera and smiles. He is standing on a bridge and wearing business casual attire. Trees are visible in the background.
Clinical Psychology PsyD
This program has given me the opportunity to learn alongside classmates who celebrate each other's successes and faculty who have modeled what compassionate, culturally responsive care looks like in practice. Those experiences have prepared me to become a pediatric psychologist who values collaboration, lifelong learning, and serving children and families with empathy and humility.
Jacob Lui, MA, MPhilEd, MSEd
Serene Oler, an MSW advanced standing student, smiling warmly at the camera. She has long black braids and wears a white top with short puffed sleeves, pictured against a neutral beige wall.
Serene Oler, an MSW advanced standing student, smiling warmly at the camera. She has long black braids and wears a white top with short puffed sleeves, pictured against a neutral beige wall.
Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing)
Loma Linda University's MSW program has taught me a variety of therapeutic modalities and interventions that I will be able to implement in my future career and that I am able to observe and use at my current field practicum placement. In the classroom, I appreciate my teachers' dedication to teaching us real-world applications of theory and sharing stories of their personal experiences within the field, which has provided me with insights of a multitude of things I could do within the diverse field of social work.
Serene Oler
Student Alice Donovan smiles at the camera in front of a railing at dusk, wearing a pink shirt and jeans. Behind her is a body of water with docks, buildings, and trees visible.
Student Alice Donovan smiles at the camera in front of a railing at dusk, wearing a pink shirt and jeans. Behind her is a body of water with docks, buildings, and trees visible.
Child Life Specialist MS
My hope for my career is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families by serving as an advocate and a source of support during some of their most challenging moments. That is why the supportive learning environment, hands-on clinical opportunities, and patient- and family-centered approach to healthcare made Loma Linda University the ideal place to pursue my education and professional goals.
Alice Donovan
Pat Keplinger, a student in the MFT MS on-campus program, smiling warmly at the camera. He wears dark-framed glasses and a dark gray t-shirt and is pictured outdoors in front of lush green foliage with small white flowers.
Pat Keplinger, a student in the MFT MS on-campus program, smiling warmly at the camera. He wears dark-framed glasses and a dark gray t-shirt and is pictured outdoors in front of lush green foliage with small white flowers.
Marital & Family Therapy MS (On-Campus)
Transitioning back into the classroom as an older veteran was overwhelming at first, but Loma Linda University has been welcoming and supportive. My professors and peers in the Marital and Family Therapy MS program value my past experiences and support me as I begin this new chapter of serving others. I am learning the practical skills I need to feel confident in the therapy room, and the faculty model the empathy and professionalism I want to offer my future clients.
Pat Keplinger
Student Nikkole Harris
Student Nikkole Harris
Master of Social Work (On-Campus)
The Loma Linda University MSW program with Play Therapy Certificate has challenged me in new ways, significantly supporting my professional development while providing an incredibly supportive environment, including faculty and staff, my cohort, and alumni. This experience, alongside the invaluable knowledge from my courses and faculty, is precisely what I need to pursue my passion: helping children develop the skills for a brighter future.
Nikkole Harris
Diana Marin, MA
Diana Marin, MA
Clinical Psychology PhD
I am truly grateful to be part of the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Loma Linda University. The faculty genuinely want to see the students succeed and I feel genuinely cared for. My experience thus far has been a dream come true.
Diana Marin, MA
Miranda Gustuson
Miranda Gustuson
Doctor of Marital & Family Therapy
I began my journey at Loma Linda University in the Marital and Family Therapy MS program and have continued my academic growth in the DMFT program. The DMFT program has allowed me to grow in my professional and academic development in ways I never knew possible. Each student has the opportunity to work creatively towards their passions. This is made possible by the amazingly supportive faculty.
Miranda Gustuson
Portrait of Counseling MS student Julie Ma with shoulder-length dark hair parted in the center, wearing a navy sweater and a soft, closed-mouth smile, photographed in front of a plain white wall.
Portrait of Counseling MS student Julie Ma with shoulder-length dark hair parted in the center, wearing a navy sweater and a soft, closed-mouth smile, photographed in front of a plain white wall.
Counseling MS
Being part of the journey at Loma Linda University has been a tremendous honor. As I work toward becoming an ethical and competent mental health clinician, I am grateful for the continuous guidance, encouragement, and resources provided by the faculty and staff. Their support has empowered me to go the extra mile in my academic and professional development. Looking back, I have gained invaluable knowledge and experience in clinical diagnosis, advocacy, clinical site selection, and many other areas—far beyond what I could have imagined before beginning this program.
Julie Ma
Professional headshot of online MSW student Isaura Alvarez Nepomuceno, a woman with long, straight, honey-blonde hair, wearing a black blazer over a white top and a rose-colored lipstick, in a softly lit, bright indoor setting.
Professional headshot of online MSW student Isaura Alvarez Nepomuceno, a woman with long, straight, honey-blonde hair, wearing a black blazer over a white top and a rose-colored lipstick, in a softly lit, bright indoor setting.
Master of Social Work (Online)
My experience in the online MSW program at Loma Linda University has been amazing! I appreciate how engaging, supportive, and rewarding the program has been, and how manageable and flexible the online format is while still providing a quality education. I am grateful to be part of a program that provides a meaningful educational experience and prepares me for a future in social work.
Isaura Alvarez Nepomuceno
Geraldine Pirdy
Geraldine Pirdy
Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certificate
Through collaboration and education from the Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate program, I've learned to factor in the varying aspects of substance use disorders in helping clients and members of their relational systems. Both faculty and fellow students are compassionate in their roles of walking with clients through the recovery process.
Geraldine Pirdy
Student Maurice Williams smiles at the camera, wearing a bright blue shirt, black vest, and black bowtie. In the background, some yellow walls and a door are visible.
Student Maurice Williams smiles at the camera, wearing a bright blue shirt, black vest, and black bowtie. In the background, some yellow walls and a door are visible.
Doctor of Social Work (Clinical Leadership)
The DSW program at Loma Linda University is preparing me to become a transformative clinical leader, ready to drive social justice initiatives. This program is dedicated to fostering both personal and professional growth, equipping students with advanced research skills to create meaningful change on a global scale, particularly within diverse communities. The faculty and staff are experts in field of social work research and provide unparalleled support and guidance, empowering students to become compassionate and effective change agents across a wide range of communities.
Maurice Williams
Anne Leah D. Guía
Anne Leah D. Guía
Play Therapy Certificate
The Play Therapy Certificate program at Loma Linda University helped me understand how to work with children and families. As an early childhood educator, I wanted to see how theories of play and play therapy intersected, and how play could support children going through difficult times in their lives. LLU's program enhanced my understanding of children, youth, and behavioral health, and how to guide young ones toward wholeness.
Anne Leah D. Guía
Genova Hernandez
Genova Hernandez
Counseling MS with Marital & Family Therapy MS with Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certificate
The dual Counseling MS and MFT MS program has allowed me to grow as a person and professionally. This program emphasizes personal exploration and reflection while acquiring experience in the field, which makes it a unique and complete experience as a therapist. I'm grateful for the help and guidance I've received from caring faculty who are genuinely dedicated to help students succeed. Through this program I've met many important people that I won’t forget, including professors, staff, and colleagues who've created a supportive environment for me during this time at Loma Linda University.
Genova I. Hernandez Lizardo
Student Olivia Seheult smiles at the camera, wearing glasses and a blue shirt. In the background are green leaves.
Student Olivia Seheult smiles at the camera, wearing glasses and a blue shirt. In the background are green leaves.
Marital & Family Therapy MS (Online)
The online MFT program at Loma Linda University is flexible and has allowed me to succeed academically while also meeting the demands of my busy life. I am incredibly grateful for the professors, who all genuinely care about us and are invested in our success.
Olivia Seheult

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