January Rising Star: Rita Chang, PhD, LP

Uwill’s Monthly Rising Star acknowledges one counselor every month who has “shined bright” in support of Uwill in their first year as a member of our Counselor Community. Congratulations, Rita Chang, LhD, LP! Since joining the Uwill team, Rita has completed over 100 sessions across California.

Check out our interview with Rita as she discusses working with international students, how she came to enjoy 30-minute sessions, and tips for students adjusting to the new semester.

What excites you the most about working with Uwill?
I’ve always enjoyed working with undergraduate and graduate students. They are a bright, motivated population who often greatly benefit from relatively small modifications to their day-to-day lives.

Can you illustrate the importance of a student being able to access a platform like Uwill?
So many students these days prefer the ease and privacy of online counseling. It lowers barriers to entry and raises attendance rates.

What aspect of your work do you enjoy the most?
International students are having a very hard time right now. I value being there for them, offering empathy and helping them figure out their next steps in this country.

What are some skills you have learned from Uwill that you have been able to apply in your everyday practice?
The thirty-minute session took a little bit of getting used to but now that I have adjusted I find that I prefer them. The ability to do a quick assessment and then set and follow an agenda is useful regardless of session length.

What was it that first attracted you to working with Uwill?
I have another job, and UWill allows me to work around my existing schedule.

Would you recommend working with Uwill to a colleague?
Yes, I think UWill’s platform is well-structured and would serve as a great starting point for anyone trying to build up a practice.

Now that the New Year is underway, what advice do you have for students who may be adjusting to a new academic schedule or routine?
It’s tempting to want to jump into big, sweeping changes but research shows that behavioral change is easier when broken down into small steps that can be easily incorporated into the daily routine. Instead of pledging to spend three hours a day studying for the GREs, start with thirty minutes during a time of day and at a location when/where you’re most likely to be productive.

To learn more about becoming a counselor with Uwill, click on the link below.

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