Bernice Joseph Makes a Difference in Her Community and Beyond with an Online Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
| 5 Min Read
Bernice Joseph discovered at a young age that she was a natural counselor, always ready to listen and support others in her Chicago community through difficult times. However, she was raised with the idea that emotional and mental health challenges were private business not to be shared, so it wasn’t a career path she considered at first.
“Growing up in the Black and Brown community, my family was very religious. We didn’t talk about therapy or counseling; it was taboo in both the community and the church. We were often told that if you had issues navigating life, you prayed about it or kept it within the family,” she said.
As an adult, her desire to change the conversation around mental health and finally embrace her calling as a career led Bernice to the North Park University online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
A Commitment Fulfilled
Bernice began her degree on campus before making the transition to online courses. “I really had the best of both worlds,” she said. “My experience at North Park was amazing.”
Bernice enjoyed the high level of faculty and student engagement as she explored counseling theory through the lens of social justice and developed specialized skills for working with a broad range of populations in need of mental health support.
“Cultural competence is one of the biggest takeaways from the program,” she said. “And the practice of truly sitting with clients, not trying to give advice but walking alongside them through life’s challenges and transitions.”
She says that learning when to be quiet in a session was just as valuable.
“The professor said, ‘it’s okay. You don’t have to fill the space. Sometimes sitting in silence is exactly what the client needs.’ That was one of the biggest lessons, and one of the bigger challenges for me personally,” she shared.
“Now I show up in my community with that empathy,” she said. “I try to put myself in people’s shoes, seek resolution rather than judgment, and stay solution-focused.”
Paying the Knowledge Forward
Bernice graduated from the CACREP-accredited online counseling program at NPU in December 2025 and is now completing her supervised practice hours to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Illinois. She’s excited about the possibilities ahead for her career.
“Right now, I’m seeing about 10 to 12 clients a week, and I still feel like I’m in a learning environment,” she said. “I want to keep sitting across from clients and growing.”
Part of the growth she experienced in the program has also been personal. “I communicate better, I express how I feel, I’ve learned to create healthy boundaries,” she said, adding that she’s become a better leader as well.
“Long-term, I’d like to speak, teach, train, and sit on panels. Not just counsel one-on-one, but advocate and educate communities about mental health because so many families and communities are dealing with these challenges, and they’re very real,” she said. “I want to be that voice.”
Bernice believes the deep sense of accomplishment she feels, and the new career goals she can pursue with her online master’s in clinical mental health counseling from North Park, are available to anyone interested in becoming an LPC.
“Stay open to learning, open to different perspectives, and be willing to be shaped by the process,” she advised. “I believe you will be very glad you got into this field.”
Make a Lasting Impact in Your Community with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Park University Online
Help others navigate life’s challenges as you improve health and wellness in your community with an online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Park University. This CACREP-accredited program prepares you to become a Licensed Professional Counselor qualified for diverse career opportunities in this high-growth field.
Build the clinical expertise and cultural competency required to work with a wide range of client populations through master’s coursework that covers the full scope of counseling theory and practice — from psychopathology and trauma-informed care to family systems, group dynamics, and professional ethics.
Graduate prepared to assess, diagnose, and treat clients with confidence, backed by 700 hours of supervised counseling experience that includes two internships and a practicum. Pursue a meaningful career in child and youth services, behavioral health, faith-based nonprofit services, vocational and rehabilitation counseling, or private practice.
Designed for working adults, the program features flexible seven-week courses. Study online on your schedule 24/7 as you develop the knowledge required to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE), the first step toward licensure in Illinois. NPU curriculum aligns with national standards, which also makes transferring your credentials to other states easier once you become an LPC.
The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling faculty is invested in your success, as evidenced by the 100% licensure pass rate and 95% job placement rate for graduates.* In addition, the university is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a “Top Performer on Social Mobility, Regional Universities Midwest” for 2026 — a reflection of NPU’s commitment to accessible, high-quality education for all students.
Disclaimer
*North Park University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Annual Report, 2024-2025.