Brian Kelly '03 Presidential Scholarship Recipient M.S. in Psychology > Ph.D. in Psychology

When Kelly read about an internship opportunity publicized by Walden’s field training department, he knew it was everything he was seeking. The internship was offered by an agency that provides high-level services with a focus on families and children. The only catch was that the yearlong internship was in Ohio, two states away from Kelly’s wife and three Labrador retrievers. Although the agency received several applications from a variety of schools, Kelly was awarded the internship based on his experience, academic excellence, commitment to the field, and passion for working with underserved clients.

“In my hometown, there is a lack of trained clinicians doing proper diagnosis and assessment, especially in working with marginalized populations,” Kelly says. “There is a lack of cultural competency and understanding of cultural differences and family values. Without this knowledge, it is difficult to properly diagnose and treat diverse clients. As a result, clients are not compliant with a counselor’s treatment recommendations because they feel labeled and judged. The rift ultimately leads to inadequate treatment planning and non-compliance with mental health services.”

It was this conviction that initially led Kelly, who has also worked as a counselor at an inpatient substance abuse treatment center, a family mental health counselor, and a foster care counselor, to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology. He applied to four universities—three online, one traditional—and Walden was the only institution to deny him admission.

“Because of my undergraduate and graduate background being in exercise and sports sciences, I hadn’t completed some of what Walden considered to be core courses for admission,” he says. So he took the advice of Walden chief academic officer Dr. Denise DeZolt, then the dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, who recommended Kelly enter the M.S. in Psychology program. Upon the completion of his master’s thesis, Kelly entered the Ph.D. in Psychology program with a specialization in Counseling Psychology.

“My counseling abilities have grown tremendously since the inception of my doctoral studies with Walden University,” Kelly says. His studies have also improved his ability to establish rapport and trust with the diverse client base involved with the juvenile-justice system. Walden University facilitated Kelly’s ability to approach a difficult population in a way that is empathetic, open, and confident. “I could not own the fact that many of the clients are criminally minded and repressed,” he says. “I wanted to provide assistance and facilitate treatment to make sure clients got the services they deserved.”

Kelly says the Walden faculty has supported him every step of the way, even when it meant pointing out his weaknesses. During clinical assessment trainings at residencies, Kelly says faculty members were helpful, insightful, and “always cared enough to be direct.” He has also grown as an academic writer. “Really you have no choice but to become a more proficient writer,” he says. “Walden is a writingintensive university that prepares you to write at a scholarly level for publication.”

With months remaining in his Ohio internship, Kelly praises his wife for her patience and understanding. “We see this experience as a short-term sacrifice for long-term growth,” he says. One of the first things Kelly plans to do when he returns to New York is complete a post-doctoral program in order to gain licensure as a psychologist in New York state. Next, he hopes to begin a private practice and work with nonprofit organizations to expand programs and implement services not currently available.

“Walden has made a commitment to improving society through education, and I’m a product of that now,” he says. “I’ve adopted Walden’s mission personally and professionally.”

The Presidential Scholarship offers $5,000 to alumni of a Walden master’s program who are pursuing a doctorate at Walden.

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