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Click on the links below to read about each student's experience
at Antioch:
Pat Clark
M.A. Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, 2001
Feeling burned out in the day-to-day practice of family medicine,
Pat Clark, M.D., came to Antioch Seattle to begin a new path as
a psychotherapist. While at Antioch – and since – he
has found greater professional satisfaction as he integrates his
new skills as a therapist with his work as a family physician.
Clark points to both a personal link and a practical solution when
he selected Antioch. "It was a happy coincidence of two factors,"
he says. "I found out that an admired teacher and mentor had
studied at Antioch and I also found that Antioch's commuter
program allowed me to pursue my studies in the context of a busy
family and working life."
Clark lives in Stanwood, Wash., a small town of 3,000 in north
Snohomish County. He describes how his experience at Antioch played
a role in his community activism.
"In the wake of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, I have been instrumental
in organizing a community forum for the discussion of issues of
culture, religion and politics," he says. "It seemed to me
to be a meaningful response to the tragedy in New York to try and
open the windows of our community to the wider world. I have no
doubt that some of the impetus for this effort came from my experience
at Antioch, with its emphasis on multiculturalism."
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Anil Coumar
M.A. Psychology, 1994
 Anil
Coumar was living in London, England, when he first heard about
Antioch. He had completed his medical degree and a year of residency
in psychiatry. He had studied psychoanalysis, transactional analysis
and clinical hypnotherapy as well.
"My learning at Antioch helped me to put everything together into
a meaningful, whole, practical approach to psychotherapy," he says.
"While at Antioch, I also explored somatic psychology and
Eastern psychological approaches. Lastly, I used the Antioch experience
to focus on areas of learning that I had left out in my earlier
training and education."
One of his best experiences at Antioch he describes as more of
an intervention.
"For my individual counseling class," Coumar recalls, "we
had to do counseling with a volunteer 'client.' I was
working with a student who was completing her B.A. While presenting
my session to the instructor, I remarked (with some embarrassment)
about how I had some of the same issues the 'client'
was bringing into therapy. The instructor leaned over and whispered
in my ear, 'So what!?'
"This may seem like a simple comment now, but the delivery and timing
of that intervention had a profound effect on me. It made me realize
our shared human suffering."
Coumar says Antioch is not for everyone.
"It is better suited for mature learners who are self-motivated.
Classroom learning from discussion is really unlike any other –
very stimulating and insightful. Antioch is one place where the
values of diversity, social justice and inclusiveness trickle down
to the classroom, where they take on special meaning that is unique
for each student."
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Laurie Dawson
M.A. Psychology, 1989
 Laurie
Dawson looked at every university with graduate psychology programs
within a 500-mile radius before she chose Antioch.
"I chose Antioch because of the emphasis on clinical practice and
the freedom they give students to design their own degree program,"
says Dawson, now a business process developer for a prominent wireless
company.
In addition to core psychology classes at Antioch, her specialization
was transpersonal counseling. A master's degree in mental
health translates well in business settings, according to Dawson,
particularly in highly technical and deadline-driven industries
with genuine fears of layoffs and downsizing.
"Many of the jobs I’ve had in high tech were directly due
to my people skills and problem-resolution experience," Dawson says.
"Many doors have been opened for me through my Antioch experience.
It is a highly regarded institution in this area, and when I was
with T-Mobile, six people on my team were Antioch graduates with
master's degrees in psychology.
"Antioch is a mind-expanding experience and contributes to a sense
of community in a variety of ways. I felt so supported while there
and surrounded by like-minded people. You will be encouraged to
think and feel independently and forge your own way of being in
the world!"
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Ross Laird
M.A. Psychology, 1992
 Ross
Laird says he chose Antioch Seattle for its integrative and holistic
approach to learning. That sounds fairly straightforward until you
learn that he lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.
"There aren't really any integrative or interdisciplinary programs
in Canada," Laird says. "The system here is more traditional,
more British, and this does not fit everyone's tastes. Students
looking for an alternative, something more holistic or more innovative,
typically go to the U.S."
Naturally, he had some reluctance about the long trek to Seattle.
"Before I began the program, I thought the commute from Vancouver,
especially in winter, was going to be the most difficult aspect
of attending Antioch," he says.
"But with many other Canadian students also making the journey,
the commute was actually enjoyable – like a rite of passage
we all shared. The half dozen or so of us who carpooled from Vancouver
were all psychology or whole systems design students. Many of us
made friendships that persist today."
Laird says his peers' support and camaraderie top his best
memories of his academic experience.
"I was able to create my desired career and pursue it without feeling
I had to sacrifice my personal learning goals for my professional
development. At Antioch, these two aspects went together," he says.
Laird became the best-selling author of two books, A Stone's
Throw: The Enduring Nature of Myth and Grain of Truth:
The Ancient Lessons of Craft. A book about the creative process
and its peculiar demands, Grain of Truth was voted one
of the 100 most important books of 2001 by the Toronto Globe and
Mail and by Spirituality and Health magazine.
Laird still commutes to Antioch, now as an adjunct faculty member
in psychology.
"I can confirm that Antioch continues its dedication to professionalism,
academic rigor and personal development," he says.
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Alinda Page
M.A. Psychology, 1991
Alinda Page's field was public affairs before she came to
Antioch. "I changed my life work to focus on individuals,"
she describes. "Currently I do both individual therapy and
organizational consulting."
Page chose Antioch because she could pursue her own interests and
create her own program. She says Antioch validated her intuitive,
non-linear way of knowing. She now works with individual clients
in Seattle and San Luis Obispo, Calif., where she often uses a body-psychotherapy
format. Page travels nationally to corporate clients as well.
Some of her best memories are of transpersonal psychology classes
and learning to work in an experiential way with groups. She adds
that she made it through statistics with far less pain than anticipated.
Her tips for future students?
"Know what you want and find people you resonate with to help you
reach your dream. They're at Antioch wanting to help you.
It's up to you to find them."
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