MA Student Spotlight

R.C. Edwards 

Hometown: Northville, MI

Program: MA 

Book I would recommend: Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl

Favorite Quote: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” -Victor Frankl 

What would people be surprised to know about you? 

I think people might be surprised to know that this program will be my 3rd masters degree and 4th degree overall. All in the direction of helping people be the best versions of themselves.

Name a cause you are passionate about.

My core purpose is: to help others be the best version of themselves. This is important to me because it encompasses so many of the ways I show up in life such as, Father, Husband, Uncle, Physical Therapist, Athletic Trainer, etc. This program will help me grow and further my ability to live my purpose more fully.

Why did you choose MSP?

I was originally tinkering with the idea of getting another professional degree and decided to go to the MSP open house to check things out and casually learn more about the school. I had multiple conversations with staff and one conversation with Dr. Lampropoulous stood out to me. He acknowledged my recent degree in Positive Psychology and discussed how that field aligns well with the foundation of MSP from a Humanistic Psychology perspective, and I was hooked. A program that is interested in human potential feels like it aligns well with my core purpose of helping others be the best version of themselves.

What do you want to do with your degree?

What to do with my degree? That is the million dollar question. I am very excited about the potential of combining my future LLP and Physical Therapy licenses in a manner that holistically supports patients through a combination of movement therapy and talk therapy to contribute to their wellness. I have not observed anyone else bring these licenses together, so it is very exciting to explore the opportunities.

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

As a Physical Therapist (PT) for 21 years I have always been curious about the non-physical state of our patients and what role that plays in their back pain and other conditions. Physical Therapy is a predominantly a physical solution to a suspected physical condition. Through years of experience, as well as researching low back pain for a capstone paper in 2023, it has become clear that most patients come to PT for what appears to be a physical condition. However, the condition is likely a combination of physical, emotional, and psychosocial factors all rolled into one. Treating as a PT for 21 years started the interest in mental health while researching and writing my capstone strengthened my interest in mental health.