March Hero of the Month: Alena Collins, MA, LPC

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

Since joining the Uwill team in July 2023, Alena has always gone the extra mile for Uwill. In that time, she’s had over 500 appointments, impacting the lives of students all across New Jersey, Michigan & Georgia, all with a very high feedback rating.

Check out our interview with Alena to read more about what excites her about working with college-age students, what first attracted her to Uwill, and how Uwill has given her opportunities to grow as a therapist.

What would you say excites you the most about working with Uwill?
For me, the reason that I was most attracted to what Uwill is the age and stage of the clients. I, in my private practice, love working with college students and to be on a platform where that’s the primary age and stage is great. I think the thing I enjoy the most is the uncertainty that life offers at that time. There’s so many opportunities and so many things that students have access to. So to be able to create space for them to process is probably what excites me the most. 

Could you illustrate the importance of a student being able to access a platform like Uwill?
I think for me, in my private practice, I often notice that clients in college are worried about their insurance and finances and “how am I going to navigate all of this?” And so Uwill takes away all the unknowns in those categories and students feel more confident and comfortable without worrying about their budget. And I think that’s one of the best things that Uwill offers to students.

What aspect of your work would you say that you enjoy the most?
For me, the most exciting thing about being a counselor is the fact that I get to do the same job every day but it always looks different because people are different. Lives and experiences are different. That’s what I enjoy most about what I get to do. 

What would you say is the most important lesson that you’ve learned through your work?
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned over the last ten-plus years is that I’m always learning. It’s that reminder that we’re human and we think we’ve been doing this a while but every day there’s something new to learn and another way that you can grow and be better at what you’re doing. 

What was it that first attracted you to working with Uwill?
I had a colleague that was already on the platform that shared it. For me personally, what was so attractive is that my husband’s job relocated us and it was a way for me to continue doing the work that I do without taking a big pay cut while we were moving and transitioning. The flexibility of all has been the biggest thing that initially attracted me. 

What impact has Uwill had on you as a professional?
For me personally Uwill has provided opportunities for me as a therapist to grow. I think a lot of times when you work as a counselor, it’s very isolating and can feel pretty lonely. And yet we’re still supposed to be learning and growing. And so the Uwill platform creates space for me to do training and to have a community while also working on my own and doing what I love to do. 

Do you have any advice for students that may be looking to try therapy for the first time?
My advice would be to sign up for your first session. Most students that I see for the first time on the platform have never gone to therapy at all in the past and so I would just say do it! Sign up for your first session, show up, and give us a chance. 

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

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