Spotlight on Alumna Terri Morse

Master of Arts with a Concentration in Counseling Psychology, 2008

Terri Morse makes a difference every day in the lives of others. She is a mental health counselor working with populations that typically do not have access to private therapy. She also provides mental health services to the incarcerated and has expanded her credentials to include a certification in substance abuse counseling.

She recently wrote a chapter in Gender in the Therapy Hour: Voices of Female Clinicians Working with Men, a book about female clinicians working with male clients.

“The chapter focuses on a therapeutic perspective called ‘Gender-Aware Therapy’ that is based on Feminist Therapy techniques but that encompasses empowering all people and not just females. It’s really about approaching working with males from an egalitarian manner. I tried to answer the question what is different about working with male clients as compared to working with female clients as a female therapist? I offer eleven personal standards that I believe are relevant to working with males.

Interestingly, I became aware of Gender-Aware Therapy during my experience at Union Institute & University. As my chapter informs, I was concerned about my pro-feminist perspective when I finally became a counselor and whether I would be as compassionate to males as I was to females. Given what I knew about limitations that society puts on females, I wondered if men also experienced similar societal limitations. What I learned during my studies at Union was that they did, and it took my Union education in a unique direction that continues to grow and expand to this day.”

Inspired by Union Institute & University’s learner-centered approach Morse continues to read and expound on her education, carrying on the tradition of the Union methodology. She and Holly Barlow-Sweet, editor of Gender in the Therapy Hour, were presenters at the August 2014 American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. called “Women Counseling Men – Practicing Male-Friendly Therapy.”

In addition to her master of arts with a concentration in counseling psychology, Morse holds a bachelor of arts in mathematics (1999) with a minor in women’s studies and a master’s in liberal studies (2000) with a concentration in administration and leadership from Plattsburgh State.

Clinical mental health counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. Clinical mental health counselors are highly-skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. They combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution. Learn more about the Union Institute & University Master of Arts with a major in Clinical Mental Health Counseling here.