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Anne Ihnen
M.A. Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, 2003
From the time she took an introductory psychology class in high school, Anne Ihnen harbored a desire to be a therapist. When she was in her 40s, she says, she began to regret not following that initial call.
She enjoyed her work as a technical writer in the software industry, yet she wanted to live her early dream.
"I came out of Antioch with a deep respect for the value of this work and its potential to help people find healing and personal growth."
"Antioch's evening classes made it easy for me to attend while continuing to work, and I felt at home among the students, many of whom were people my age.
"I also loved the fact that I would not be receiving grades! Without the (self-imposed) pressure of getting a good grade, I was free to focus on my own learning," she says.
She chose Antioch for other reasons as well.
"I wanted a program that had a clinical emphasis because I wanted to train to be a therapist, not do a lot of academic research. I especially appreciated Antioch's emphasis on applying what I was learning to my own life experiences; not only did it enhance my learning process, but also it provided me with a rich opportunity for personal growth," Ihnen describes.
"Although I'd always considered myself open-minded and tolerant, I still had a lot of internalized biases, which I was unaware of before coming to Antioch. As I moved through the program, these deeply rooted beliefs came to light, giving me an opportunity to work through them and in the process transform the way I view myself and the world."
She singles out Ned Farley, core faculty in the School of Applied Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy, as someone who inspired her.
"Ned Farley introduced me to the theory and practice of existential psychology. He convinced me of the power of focusing on the present moment in therapy, a concept that was completely new to me. The heuristic research project we did in his class had a profound effect on me both spiritually and emotionally, leading me to make significant changes in my life," says Ihnen.
"My experiences at Antioch showed me the value and meaning of psychotherapeutic work. I learned a humanistic approach to therapy that recognizes the whole person rather than focusing on treating a collection of symptoms.
"I came out of Antioch with a deep respect for the value of this work and its potential to help people find healing and personal growth. By walking my clients' paths with them, I have found a vocation that is deeply gratifying."
She shares what Antioch gave her as a strong recommendation for prospective students.
"The psychology program at Antioch provided me with a solid foundation for my work as a therapist. The faculty is accessible and the classes are small.
"I opened a private practice immediately after graduating from Antioch in 2003. Three years after opening my practice, I had sufficient hours to become licensed. Eighteen months ago, I was offered an opportunity to co-author The Complete Idiot's Guide to Mindfulness, an exciting opportunity for me," she says.
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