The difference a gift makes, in their own words.

Bernadette Mutirende

MS in Psychology alumna · New Jersey

Bernadette’s painful experiences during the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda profoundly shaped the woman she became, instilling in her a deep resilience, compassion, and desire to help others find hope amid adversity. Those experiences, together with her desire to better understand trauma, healing, and human resilience, led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Psychology at Divine Mercy University. During her two years of study, she found more than an academic education; the program became a deeply transformative journey that helped her better understand her own experiences, heal personally, and discover new ways to accompany others through their own struggles. Today, she runs a life-coaching practice in West Orange, New Jersey, where she draws on her psychological training, life experience, faith, and passion for helping others move beyond adversity and flourish. She credits her time at DMU with not only equipping her professionally, but also helping her turn some of the most painful chapters of her life into a source of hope and service to others.

Dr. Isaiah Lamb

PsyD alumnus · Psychologist and adjunct faculty at University of St. Thomas, MN

Isaiah graduated from DMU's doctoral program and now serves at a university counseling center. When he was a student, he was asked how students afford a psychology doctorate.

Almost everyone here is utilizing student loans for their day to day living... bringing hope to people's lives and bringing healing, I think that's something far beyond what the reward of money could ever give you.

Emma Armstrong

Psy.D. student · scholarship recipient · Alexandria, Louisiana

Emma came to DMU for the integration of faith and clinical training, and holds a donor-funded scholarship to the Psy.D. program. A year into clinical work, she has a message for the people who paid for it.

Every client that we touch, like every life that we touch, the donors are part of that too... There's always a whole group of people that are there, doing that with me. So know that every client that we interact with will be someone that you have touched in your life too.

Kathryn Landa

Spiritual Direction Certificate alumna · Southern California

Kathryn finished the certificate and put it to work at once. She still meets with directees she began seeing as a student, and a retreat center brought her onto its spiritual direction team because, in her words, they were anxious to have more trained people.

I see several people that I started seeing through the program, still today... I have a practice... and I end up getting referrals from other people as well.

Bishop Earl K. Fernandes

Diocese of Columbus

Bishop Fernandes was asked where he refers people in his diocese who need clinical care consistent with their faith.

And where do I refer them? I still don't have a good answer in my diocese, and that's why I'm looking to places like Divine Mercy University.

Bishop Keith Chylinski

Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia · Master's in Clinical Psychology alumnus

Bishop Chylinski holds a Master's in Clinical Psychology from DMU. He was rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary before his episcopal appointment.

DMU is truly an act of God in the world. The church needs you. The church needs qualified, faith-filled mental health clinicians as part of her saving mission to bring health and healing into the world.

Bishop Michael Burbidge

Diocese of Arlington

Bishop Burbidge described the shortage his diocese faces in its own schools, where student mental health needs have grown since COVID.

Our schools — we don't have enough school counselors. And of course, in our Catholic schools, we want those who are Catholic school counselors.