Cassidy Girard
Hometown: Marquette, MI
Program: PsyD
Book(s) I would recommend: Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah, The Enzo Macleod Series by Peter May, or anything by Elin Hilderbrand or James Patterson.
Favorite Quote: “Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.” -Wayne Dyer
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I didn’t begin studying psychology until I was a junior in my pre-veterinary program and almost ready to apply to vet school. It is never too late to start a new journey!
Name a cause you are passionate about.
In general, I am passionate about animal welfare/the environment. As a clinician and researcher, I am passionate about the link between physical and mental health, and improving these outcomes in at-risk populations.
Why did you choose MSP?
After researching PsyD programs it was clear that MSP would be a great fit to continue my education. MSP is a close-knit community which I feel fosters learning better than a larger school can.
What do you want to do with your degree?
I plan to work in rural populations where access to mental health is limited. I would like to work as a clinician and spend time in research to expand my understanding of the field.
How did you first get interested in the mental health profession?
I became interested in the mental health profession when I attended my first psychology course as a pre-vet student. Learning about the brain and neural processes captivated my attention and I converted my studies that day.
