Kaelan Small, Intake Coordinator
Three Interesting Facts About Me:
I collect perfume and love all things that smell yummy! If I was not pursuing counseling, I would be an interior designer. In total I have lived in five different states.
Favorite Books: The Summer I turned Pretty- Jenny Han The Let Them Theory- Mel Robbins Diary of an Oxygen Thief - Anonymous Author
Hobbies:
1. If I’m not working or in school, I am crocheting.
2. I love to try new foods and cook new recipes.
3. I enjoy sight seeing and traveling to new places.
What is Your BIG WHY?
Please share your motivation and purpose, what drives you in your personal and professional life: Growing up, I noticed that I was always very observant of others and had a passion for understanding the meaning behind people’s behaviors. I often found myself being the mediator when friends and family had conflict and the advice giver for people in my close circle. I loved the feeling of being able to help others and give them a space where they felt understood and accepted. Being able to be someone who can give people a new perspective and help them overcome any struggles that they might be facing is what reassures me that I am pursing exactly what I am meant to be doing in life. Tell us everything we need to know about your education, journey to become a therapist, trainings, successes and interests as a therapist: When I was in fourth grade, a couple of girls on the playground had gotten into an altercation where I ended up mediating and lead them to resolve the issue. When I went home that day, I told my mom that I loved the feeling of being able to help them solve their problem. It was then my mom suggested that I become a therapist when I grow up. Since then, I made sure that every class, club, and other extracurricular activities I was enrolled in related to mental health and psychology in order to get me where I am today. I graduated from Michigan State University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Behavior and Social Services. I am currently in my second year of graduate school at The University of Central Florida pursing a master’s degree in Marriage, Couples, and Family therapy. As I continue on my journey in graduate school, I hope to reveal more about myself as a future counselor and continue to help individuals who I come in contact with.
FAVORITE SUPERHERO AND WHY: The Hulk! Although sometimes misunderstood, he is strong, a protector, and a gentle giant.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” - Martin Luther King Jr