Last summer, I took the Family Counseling course and was delighted to meet a fellow student from Brazil. We quickly connected, and I am thrilled that Lili Niclas agreed to this interview. In it, you will learn about her experience in the program as she prepares to become a therapist. I hope you enjoy the conversation.
RN: What inspired you to pursue a career in counseling, and how did you select this program?
Lili: I’ve had a long experience with therapy, which has allowed me to explore my history and childhood trauma. This journey of self-discovery has shown me how much life can change when we connect with reality. I came to understand that my deep transformational process is an asset I can use to help others. I was also drawn to the human connection that this profession offers.
As far as the program goes, I’ve selected it for several reasons. I had been considering joining a master’s program in clinical counseling for some time. PAU was my first option because it’s local to me, and I intended, at first, to attend classes in person. Ultimately, I made the decision because of the CACREP accreditation and the focus on diversity and equity. Being an immigrant in my 40s, and having done my education in countries other than the U.S., I felt unsure what to expect and whether I would feel supported or even belong in this academic setting. Watching PAU’s YouTube videos, particularly those featuring students from different backgrounds talking about their experiences, gave me a sense of reassurance. That’s when I became confident about joining this program.
RN: So far, what has been the most surprising or unexpectedly meaningful aspect of your learning?
Lili: The Counseling Skills course in the first quarter was particularly surprising and meaningful. Learning the basics of communication skills in counseling and starting to practice right away at the beginning of the program was daunting but very rewarding. It helped me experience some aspects of the profession and confirm that I had made the right decision to pursue this career. The experience at Residency I was also very impactful and intense. Besides the educational aspect, meeting my peers and instructors in person was important to build stronger connections and develop a deeper sense of belonging.
RN: Are there any specific populations or communities you feel drawn to work with in the future, and why?
Lili: I started the program wanting to work with adult women because of my own life experiences. However, as I progress through the courses (I’ve just started the third quarter), I’m finding myself drawn to working with children and adolescents, particularly adolescent girls. In my first quarter, I wrote an assignment for Professional Orientation on the topic of internalized sexism in adolescent girls, which gave me the opportunity to explore some of the struggles this population faces and see the value in working with them during this time of development when their identities are being shaped, helping create resilience for their future. So I’m considering this option and staying open to other populations, including immigrants, as I progress through the program.
RN: Have you started to feel a connection with any particular counseling theories or approaches? If so, what resonates with you about them?
Lili: Feminist Theory is an approach that deeply resonates with me. I believe that when we see the bigger picture of our place in the world, we can more easily see the patterns and obstacles that hinder our development and well-being. A big part of Feminist Therapy involves awareness-raising as part of the healing process. In my view, without awareness, we cannot genuinely accept ourselves with all of our identities and cultural backgrounds. Attachment theory and Internal Family Systems therapy also resonate with me, as well as somatic approaches like Somatic Experiencing and EMDR.
RN: How do you see your cultural background informing your future role as a counselor?
Lili: As an immigrant from Brazil, I believe my cultural experiences will allow me to connect with specific populations on a deeper level. I’ve been living in the U.S. for 10 years now, but it’s been more than 22 years since I left my home country. The experience of living abroad for so long has changed my perspective on many aspects of life and made me more open-minded and sensitive to cultural nuances and different worldviews. I hope this can be valuable in my work with future clients.
RN: What has been your experience so far working in groups or role-plays, especially in navigating vulnerability and trust with your peers?
Lili: In the first quarter, we had the Counseling Skills course, in which role-playing was a big component, so I had to dive into the experience and adapt quickly. Luckily, my small group members and instructor were very supportive. It was certainly a challenge in the beginning, but the experience itself, and the fact that it’s a vulnerable process for everyone, helped us connect and develop trust. By the end of the quarter, we were able to reflect on our progress and regretted that we wouldn’t be practicing together weekly anymore.
RN: Looking ahead, what kind of counselor do you hope to become, and what values or qualities do you want to be known for?
Lili: I hope to become a counselor who embodies empathy and cultural humility while helping clients feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives and develop a stronger sense of self-awareness. I believe we all have an inner compass that guides us in life when we are connected to it.
In my view, one of the main goals of therapy is to help clients reconnect with that compass. I hope to be able to guide clients in this direction, using my knowledge and experiences as tools to empower and support them with empathy and compassion.
We thank you, Lili, for this interview!
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I will see you next week.
Roque Neto 