Margaret Hartmann, B.A. '18
Margaret Hartmann '18, transfer student, chose LMU because of its intimate environment, beautiful campus, and focus on social justice. Margaret originally entered college with the desire to be a surgeon. After shadowing multiple surgeons, Margaret realizing that what she enjoyed most was the interaction between the patients and doctors. She often left the hospital curious about the surgeon’s patients and how their medical complications were affecting their daily functioning and mental health. Realizing her passion to enter the helping profession was driven by the power of authentic connection with others rather than healing through medical procedures, Margaret changed her major from Biochemistry Pre-Med to Psychology. Margaret’s personal experiences in therapy and newfound awareness of the importance of human connection ignited her desire to pursue a career as a psychotherapist.
Entering LMU with the hopes of becoming a psychotherapist, Margaret was most excited to take classes that focused on clinical psychology. Margaret took Introduction to Clinical Psychology which further confirmed her desire to become a therapist as it gave her a taste of what it is like to be in the room with a client. Psychology of Gender and Gender and Diversity were particularly impactful. These courses helped Margaret uncover her desire to be an advocate for women and children who face discrimination at the hand of the patriarchy. Although she knew she wanted to be a therapist upon entering LMU, these classes solidified her interest in working with women and children who are survivors of abuse.
At LMU, Margaret was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta, serving as the executive assistant in 2017-2018. Her involvement in Kappa Alpha Theta strengthened her leadership skills and provided an avenue to foster meaningful relationships with her peers. Originally to fulfill the Engaged Learning core requirement, Margaret became a volunteer at the Latino Resource Center where she mentored and tutored children after school. Margaret realized she loved watching these children learn and grow, and she decided to continue at the Latino Resource Center for her remaining time at LMU.
Knowing she needed to attend graduate school in order to become a therapist, Margaret applied to UCLA and USC’s social work programs as well as California Lutheran and Pepperdine’s MFT programs. After considerable deliberation, Margaret chose to continue her education at Pepperdine University. Margaret was drawn to Pepperdine’s Master of Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis of Marriage and Family Therapy Program because of its small cohort format and great relationships with mental health organizations in the LA area. Additionally, Margaret had multiple meaningful interactions with the Pepperdine’s program director, Dr. Woo. Because she places high value on human connection, Margaret was confident that Pepperdine’s program was right for her. And she has yet to regret her decision!
Margaret is currently in her second year at Pepperdine University and will graduate with her Masters in May. Margaret is an MFT Trainee at Counseling Partners of Los Angeles, where she works as a counselor at a local middle school. Her placement at a low-income middle school has furthered her desire to use therapy as a way to empower her current and future clients to overcome systemic and personal barriers to live a fulfilled life aligned with their personal values. After graduation, Margaret hopes to work in an adolescent treatment center where she will continue to see teens recover from mental illness and trauma.