Simpson graduates received stipends for mental health work

Simpson University recently announced that three graduates of the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) program have received $18,500 stipends for working with mental health patients.

The three students are Teri Watts, Kao Syvirathphan and Chloe Lucas.

“These three students have demonstrated outstanding achievement in learning and applying the concepts of community mental health covered by the Mental Health Services Act,” Simpson Head of Adult and Graduate Professional Studies Dr. Addie Jackson said. “All three embody Christ’s teaching to be salt and light in a hurting world.”

Each of the three students received a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Education Stipend from the Greater Sacramento MFT Consortium. Simpson’s MACP program is a member of the program.

“Receiving the stipend award helps to reinforce the importance of Simpson’s desire to be a ‘Gateway to World Service’ by working with underserved mental health clients in a rural community,” Syvirathephan said.

One reason Syvirathphan applied for the stipend was due to education expenses.

“I am the eldest son and the first in my family to attend college,” he said. “Due to limited financial resources with no grants or scholarships available, I was working full-time to support my family while completing my master’s.”