Graduate Student Spotlight | Gina Kerrigan, M.S.'23

I earned my bachelor’s degree in English from West Virginia University in 2008. From there, I worked as a writer and editor in the publishing and e-commerce industries from 2008-11.

I became a mom in 2012, and then from 2014-19, I owned and operated a restaurant, which was born out of a diner my grandmother had opened in the late 1960s.

After leaving the restaurant business, I did some soul-searching and tried out some counseling master’s-level coursework at Hood in the summer of 2020; I officially entered the program in January 2021. During my time in Hood’s counseling program, I was a graduate assistant for the counseling faculty and completed my counseling practicum and internship at Catoctin Counseling Center in Downtown Frederick.

After graduating in May 2023, I joined the Mental Health Association of Frederick County as a part-time therapist. I also started my own part-time private practice, Maple Seed Counseling. I work with children aged 6+ and adults, including individuals and couples.

What initially drew me to Hood’s counseling master’s program was its CACREP-accreditation and its location in Frederick, which was a commutable distance from my home. Once I found out that an in-person, CACREP-accredited program was so close by, it was an easy decision to go for Hood as my first choice. It turned out to be a great decision!

I had a wonderful experience in the master’s program and thoroughly enjoyed the teaching styles and real-world experiences of the faculty, not to mention getting to know the other students, who were also on their own counselor-in-training journeys.

Toward the end of my time as a grad student in the master’s program, I began to more seriously consider whether or not a Ph.D. could be in my future. Once Hood announced its new doctoral program in counselor education and supervision, my heart was pretty much set on going for it! The thought of returning to the classroom to further hone in on this relatively new passion of mine—in a familiar environment that I had already grown to love—was too enticing to wait.

Aspiring to remain curious has become a guiding principle in my educational and professional career. When embracing a curious stance, it is easier to let go of my preconceived notions and judgments. I try to lean into curiosity when I feel particularly stuck with a new concept, with a client or in my own personal growth.

I most enjoy the sense of community and belonging that I found at Hood College as well as feeling confident in the quality of education I received and will receive.

One thing that I have come to learn about myself is that I love variety in my professional life. My end goal is to continue working in clinical settings and teaching in academic settings concurrently. 

Being able to teach new counselors-in-training will be very rewarding for me professionally and personally because I will be able to have a direct impact on making quality mental health care more accessible. I am excited to be a part of future students’ profound and transformative process of becoming a professional counselor.

Sometimes, I feel reassured to remember that I have yet to meet a person who has life all figured out! In my experience, trying things when filled with self-doubt offered me the best opportunities for self-learning and growth.

Inspired by Gina’s accomplishments in the mental health field? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, including our newcounselor education and supervision Ph.D. program, by clicking here.