PsyD Spotlight

Becca Cenusa

Hometown: Sandpoint, Idaho

Program: PsyD

Book I would recommend: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Favorite Quote: “You’re not a bad person. You’re a very good person, who bad things have happened to. Besides, the world isn’t split into good people and Death Eaters. We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act upon on. That’s who we really are.” -Sirius Black (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

What would people be surprised to know about you? 

I originally went to college for nursing but switched my first year to psych and never looked back!

Name a cause you are passionate about.

I’m passionate about changing the stigma around substance use treatment. For too long, addiction has been seen as a moral failing. This results in so many people not getting the help that they need due to the stigma.

Another cause I am passionate about is supporting formerly incarcerated individuals as they are adjusting to life after serving time.

Why did you choose MSP?

I chose to attend MSP because it’s a smaller school where everyone has similar interests! MSP offers diversity and a place where everyone can grow.

What do you want to do with your degree?

With my degree, I plan to continue working with those seeking treatment for substance use disorders and those who have been incarcerated. I prefer the residential treatment setting, but I plan to take on more outpatient therapy in the future!

How did you first get interested in the mental health profession?

I started as a behavioral health-focused certified nurse’s aid, planned to go into psychiatric nursing, then realized I hated too many things about nursing. I started my own mental health journey in college around the time I switched my major. The combination of these two events led me to get a master’s and now a doctorate!