Laura Trachtenberg’s Empowering Journey to an Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
| 5 Min Read
For Laura Trachtenberg, pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling online with Sacred Heart University was more than an academic endeavor. It was a transformative experience rooted in connection, flexibility, and growth, with faculty and support staff who went “above and beyond” to facilitate her success.
“There were many really attentive staff members and professors,” Laura said, noting that she received ongoing support during weekly meetings and supervised practice experiences. “It was very easy to talk with them about any concerns we had in school and out of school. I felt thankful that the faculty saw us not only as students but as humans, and that life happens.”
Laura valued how Sacred Heart’s faculty brought academic expertise and real-world experience to the online classroom. Through their guidance, she explored ideas beyond the course materials and examined multiple facets of the counseling profession.
“They gave me opportunities to explore parts of the counseling world that I hadn’t been introduced to,” she said.
Close engagement with other students in her cohort further enriched Laura’s experience. Sacred Heart’s online platform fostered collaboration and meaningful interactions, helping her form professional connections that will endure long after graduation.
“We had great bonds, and it felt like coming home to people who knew what you were going through or saw the world in a similar way and had passion for something that you did. There was a lot of great communication, and I’m still in touch with them,” Laura said.
“There were many really attentive staff members and professors. It was very easy to talk with them about any concerns we had in school and out of school.”
–Laura Trachtenberg, Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
When asked about her experience as an online student, Laura called it “amazing.” After all, studying online provides flexibility for balancing academic and professional commitments.
“It was asynchronous, which was great because I could still have a job and work differing hours while being able to pace my coursework on my own timeframe,” she noted.
Of course, it was essential to have reliable access to Blackboard, the learning management system, and Sacred Heart’s technical support helped Laura stay connected.
“The assistance was great as far as the technology,” she said. “I remember encountering issues with Blackboard, and the tech support team was quick to help.”
Beyond the online classroom, she developed important skills through her internships, which allowed her to apply what she learned in real-world settings.
“In the internship courses, you’re working with real clients and have supervision from the professor,” Laura said. “You also have time to bounce ideas off other students and get real-time feedback, which was incredibly helpful.”
The combination of online courses and internships deepened her understanding of mental health counseling and provided opportunities to reflect on ways to improve her support for clients. “It really opened my eyes to, for instance, my own biases about things or my own intersectionality and also how we’re interacting with others,” she said.
Laura completed the master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program in May 2025, fully prepared to thrive as a clinical mental health therapist and pursue licensure for counseling roles. Today, she draws from the guidance and insights gained as a Sacred Heart student, which she can pay forward when supporting her clients.
“Having the ability to assist someone, to empower them, or to advocate for them — that’s huge. I feel lucky to be a voice for someone who might not have had that before,” Laura said.
Learn more about the online master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling today.
Reach Your Potential in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Your passion for helping others will serve you well in Sacred Heart’s online master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Rooted in the CACREP standards, the curriculum emphasizes prevention, resilience, and well-being while empowering you to recognize the dignity and worth of the individuals you’ll support in your counseling career.
Sacred Heart’s educators bring real-world experience to each course, equipping you with skills and knowledge for career success. Offered in a flexible online format, the master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program enables students nationwide to access the coursework and meet the educational requirements for licensure in many states.
Sacred Heart Gives You a Flexible Path to New Opportunities
Career opportunities abound in mental health counseling, and Sacred Heart’s online program prepares you to seize them. Employment in this field is projected to grow 17% through 2034,1 and earning your master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will open doors to roles focusing on mental health, substance abuse, and other specialized areas.
Sacred Heart’s program delivers an online degree flexible enough to balance your academic and professional commitments. You’ll benefit from career support that includes résumé workshops, career coaching, and access to Handshake, an online recruiting system with exclusive job opportunities. Upon graduation, you’ll join Laura in an alumni network that includes more than 35,000 professionals.
After Reading This Success Story, It’s Time to Start Your Own
If Laura’s story resonates with you, it may be time for you to take the next step. Explore the online master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program to learn how Sacred Heart can prepare you to make a difference in this rewarding field.
Sources and Disclaimer
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” August 28, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm.
*Student quotes have been edited for length and clarity.