January Hero of the Month: Victoria Clayton, LMFT

Every month, we spotlight a counselor who has gone above and beyond for Uwill as our Hero of the Month. This month, we are delighted to recognize Victoria Clayton, LMFT as Uwill’s Monthly Hero.

Since joining the Uwill team in October 2024, Victoria has always gone above and beyond for Uwill. In that time, she’s had over 500 appointments, impacting the lives of students across California, all with a very high feedback rating.

Therefore, this month, we are delighted to recognize Victoria as our Uwill Hero for all her contributions and support for our students and the larger Uwill community. Victoria — thank you again for all you do. We are truly grateful for your support and commitment. 

Check out our interview with Victoria to hear more about the value of 30-minute sessions, her enjoyment of working with students, and some tips for students adjusting to a new academic schedule.

What excites you the most about working with Uwill?
The students themselves are the most exciting part of Uwill. Their resilience and strength are truly remarkable and sometimes they don’t even realize how profound they really are. I appreciate the authenticity and the candor that students bring into their sessions each week. It’s exciting to witness someone come into their own during a sensitive and transformative season of their life and I’m grateful to be a small part of that process.

Can you illustrate the importance of a student being able to access a platform like Uwill?
Uwill offers such wonderful flexibility and autonomy with scheduling for students (and providers). The 30-minute session format can fit nicely into a busy schedule as students are learning how to balance school, friendships, dating, work, exercise etc on their own for the first time. Since the sessions are virtual, they’re especially accessible, meaning that students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend therapy can receive support whenever they need it. The flexibility and accessibility of the platform make all the difference.

What aspect of your work do you enjoy the most?
I can’t overstate it: the students are the best part of the work. I enjoy getting to work alongside students as they transition into new life stages or experience new things. Sometimes, I go into a session expecting to discuss a certain topic, and the student will disclose something completely out of left field, so I’ll pivot to focus on that. I enjoy (hopefully) providing a little bit of stability in the midst of chaos for the students I see.

What are some skills you have learned from Uwill that you have been able to apply in your everyday practice?
Overall, I truly feel that working for Uwill has made me a better therapist as it has broadened the scope of issues I feel I can successfully treat. For the past 6 years, I have worked as a therapist at a domestic violence advocacy center and am now in a management position there, so a significant amount of my post-graduate experience has been centered on treating issues related to DV/IPV. Working for Uwill means that I now get to see students who have a variety of life experiences and present concerns that I otherwise wouldn’t see in my full-time job. I so appreciate the varied backgrounds and personalities I’ve gotten to know during my time with Uwill.

What was it that first attracted you to working with Uwill?
I was initially drawn to Uwill because of the demographic the platform serves: students! Outside of Uwill, I work for two non-profits in clinical supervision/management, so I don’t often get to work with clients in those settings. I was excited to have a role that was solely centered on seeing clients, and I enjoy working with college-aged students, so it was perfect for me.

How has being a member of Uwill’s Counselor Community impacted you as a professional?
I’m incredibly grateful to Uwill for the many benefits and opportunities we receive as providers. I feel I have learned so much from my colleagues at Uwill, but have also learned so much through the benefits that Uwill offers, like access to free CEUs each year. Working with Uwill has allowed me to keep my clinical skills sharp and stay up-to-date with relevant information for my practice overall. I look forward to continuing to grow my own skills and identity as a therapist in my work with Uwill.

Would you recommend working with Uwill to a colleague?
Yes, I’ve referred two colleagues already! Hopefully more to come.

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?
Firstly, give yourself grace. Sometimes, it takes a bit to adjust to a new schedule/routine. We often assume that because we are struggling, there’s something “wrong” with us. Our brains are wired to rely on things that are familiar to us, so when we enter unfamiliar territory, it’s normal to struggle a bit. Then, give yourself permission to get creative and discover new ways that you can cope with the changes in this new era of your life. Even small changes can make a significant difference. For example, some people do better studying in long stretches of time, whereas some people thrive in shorter sessions – we just have to find what works for us. Experiment with your new schedule and figure out what works for you. Finally, Uwill is here to offer you any additional support or encouragement as you set off into this new semester, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.

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

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