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Introduction
Introduction
My name is Jill Gonsalves, and I am a psychology student at IU Indy’s School of Science. After graduation, I plan to pursue my M.S. in Mental Health Counseling at Butler University, with the goal of working with either children or SUD. To deepen my understanding of the U.S. healthcare system and its impact on mental health, I am also minoring in Medical Sociology. Additionally, I earned a Certificate in Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention to better prepare for working with vulnerable youth.
To gain hands-on experience, I currently serve as an undergraduate research assistant in two psychology research labs on campus. As a student in the Honors College, I have completed multiple honors contracts across my coursework, studied abroad with support from the Honors stipend, and served as a mentor for the H-200 Intro to Honors course for two semesters.
Additionally, I previously worked as an Academic Success Coach and now serve as a Student Coordinator at the Bepko Learning Center. In my role as an Academic Success Coach, I worked one-on-one with students, helping them develop personalized strategies to improve their academic performance. As a Student Coordinator, I now oversee daily operations, manage data, and lead outreach efforts for workshops and training sessions.
These experiences have further strengthened my passion for helping others, especially children and young adults, thrive academically and personally.
My Story
My Story
I first became interested in psychology during my senior year of high school, after I began attending therapy for the first time. Growing up, I faced many challenges at home that deeply impacted my mental health and sense of self. School and work became my outlets—spaces where I could focus, feel capable, and escape from the instability around me.
When the COVID-19 lockdown hit during my junior year, I had to complete school from home, which meant spending more time in an environment that had always been difficult. I was on the full IB track at the time, but due to my declining mental health and the stress of my situation, I chose to step back and focus on my core credits. During the beginning of my senior year, an incident at home led me to reach out to my school counselor. She helped me connect with a therapist, and that decision became a turning point in my life.
In those therapy sessions, I learned things I never had the chance to practice growing up—like setting boundaries, letting go of guilt, and learning that not everything is my responsibility. These skills, while they may seem simple, were transformative. I started to understand myself better and see a future where I could help others do the same.
Mental health has not always been a topic that is prioritized or openly discussed in my South Asian community. There is often a stigma around seeking help, and therapy is sometimes seen as unnecessary or shameful. Navigating my own healing journey made me realize how important it is to have counselors who understand the cultural nuances that shape our experiences. Representation matters—and I want to be part of the change.
Through my education in psychology and my future as a mental health counselor, I hope to bring more diversity into the field, challenge stigma, and create space for people from all backgrounds—especially those in underrepresented communities—to feel safe seeking support. I want to empower others, just as my therapist empowered me, to believe that healing is possible and that they are never alone in their journey.
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