Candy Heishman

Candy Heishman

Program / Year

Art Therapy ’20

Hometown

Lebanon, Pennsylvania

What led you to enroll at Lewis and Clark's Graduate School of Education and Counseling?

I originally applied to the Marylhurst program. I liked the requirements for the program and that it was based in Oregon.

Who or what inspired you to pursue your chosen field of study?

I saw how art healed me and others it was in contact with. I knew this was something that everyone needed to help them heal.

What does social justice mean to you?

Social Justice is when every person, no matter their color, can live peacefully, have opportunities, and equal pay.

What is the most fun part of your program?

The fun part of the program finds the use of art as a therapeutic process. I also really like the psychodrama class that was offered this semester.

What is the hardest part of your program?

There are so many readings and writings to accomplish. However, they can be accomplished if you are organized well.

How would you describe your graduate school experience in one sentence?

This experience is just that; an experience that will allow you to be a better therapist.

Who has been your most influential professor, and why?

Greg Crosby is one of the most insightful professors. He listens to his students and gives feedback when needed.

What is a unique perspective you bring to your cohort?

I am a Combat Veteran. This means my perspective is far different than my cohort. I tend to go with the flow, understand when to change things up, and I am patient. I also know that no matter how much stress I am under it will always be okay.

What career will you be pursuing after graduation? Did you intend for this to be your career path when you enrolled?

I would like to work with Veterans after graduation.

Describe an "ah-ha" or "right-turn" moment you have experienced here - a time when your perspective, opinion, outlook, or goals changed suddenly due to a specific experience.

My ADD when I was younger could have actually been the abuse that I had in my childhood. We just learned about that in class and I was astonished.

What do you think of Portland?

I didn’t want to like Portland so much. I like Portland for its progressiveness. The drivers may suck but the opportunities here are amazing.