By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Maggie Berglund wasn’t sure she could do it.
When she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in December 2020 – at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – graduate school felt out of reach.
“I was like, I don’t know if I can do more school. I don’t know if it’s for me,” she said. “My internal self told me that I would fail. That I would not succeed in the program.”
But Berglund didn’t give up on her dream. After taking a year off to figure out her next move, she slowly worked up the courage to pursue a master’s degree.
“I dipped my toe in. I started with one course, then I went for two, and then I went back full time,” she said. “Once I started the program, I realized this was the right path for me. This is what I really wanted to do.”
On Friday, the Ravenna resident reached her goal, graduating from UNK’s blended clinical mental health counseling program. She’s now preparing for her next step – working as a provisional licensed mental health practitioner at Live Well Counseling Center in Kearney.
“I’m very excited and I am ready, but I also know there is still a lot to learn,” Berglund said. “Counselors have to continue learning. That’s the only way they can be competent in their field.”
She plans to work with a variety of clients while focusing on children and families – a fitting career for someone who’s always had a passion for helping others.
“I love that I can help people and make a real difference in their lives,” she said.
ANSWERING THE CALL
A North Platte native, Berglund was drawn to psychology in middle school and became more interested in the field through high school biology classes that explored how the brain works. She discovered her true calling during her undergraduate studies at UNK, where she took several mental health courses.
Clinical mental health counseling was always in the back of her mind, but self-doubt made her question whether she could complete all the required schooling.
That uncertainty faded as she found support and encouragement from her peers and professors in the graduate program.
“You kind of build a little bit of a community within your program. And it was a great experience. I loved being part of it,” she said. “I’ve built so many connections and made friendships that I’m sure I’ll keep for a long, long time.”
UNK’s flexible program – which includes a mix of online, in-person and blended courses along with fieldwork – allowed Berglund to grow personally and professionally while gaining real-world experience through her practicum, advanced practicum and internship.
Her on-campus sessions were supervised by UNK faculty members, who offered feedback and guidance to help students become better clinicians.
“The professors were so understanding and so open in the program. And very helpful,” she said. “They’re willing to work with you so you can be successful.”
Berglund completed a dual internship with Live Well Counseling Center and Brittany Sulu from Elevate Counseling and Consulting, allowing her to work with clients and observe mental health professionals in another setting.
“It’s an extremely valuable learning experience,” she said. “I can honestly say that I would not feel prepared to do what I’m about to do if I didn’t have an internship. It teaches you so much.”
MEETING A NEED
Berglund is entering a profession that’s seeing significant growth across the country.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to grow 19% from 2023 to 2033 – much faster than the average for all occupations.
That demand is especially high in Nebraska, where 88 of the 93 counties are designated as mental health professions shortage areas and 23 counties don’t have any behavioral health providers at all, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.
“I’ve heard so many people say that we need more people in this field. That was always preached in undergrad and it was preached in grad school,” Berglund said. “Mental health is a growing concern for people.”
She’s happy to be part of the solution.
“Maggie is an outstanding student who works hard in her program of study and is a great fit for the counseling field,” said professor David Hof, graduate program chair for clinical mental health counseling at UNK and a therapist at Live Well Counseling Center. “She has the personality and demeanor to not only connect with clients but to also work with systems to advocate for clients’ needs. She works hard and cares about the people she helps.”
Hof describes her as “kind and caring but also able to set boundaries,” adding that her internship supervisor had nothing but great things to say about her performance.
“Maggie will be great in the counseling field,” he said. “She brings outstanding skills and a strong commitment to help those who are in need.”
LOPER FOR LIFE
Berglund was introduced to UNK through her older sister Katie, a 2013 graduate with degrees in studio art and visual communication and design.
“It’s close to home and I really liked that it was a university experience and it wasn’t as big as UNL or UNO,” she said. “I liked that it was a little bit smaller and the classes were smaller. I don’t like the large lecture halls where the professor might not know who I am.”
That personal, supportive atmosphere is one of the reasons she stuck around. Berglund also worked at UNK’s Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center from 2018 to 2024, progressing from a student worker to lead teacher for both infant rooms.
“The Plambeck Center is where I really began working with children and their families. I was able to integrate things I learned from my undergraduate degree, such as knowledge about human development and relationships,” she said. “Now, I hope to continue working with children and families because of that experience.”
UNK helped her find that path and realize her full potential.
“I think UNK has helped me understand the opportunities that people have,” she said. “UNK helped me recognize what I can achieve and provided the resources to help me get there. It’s been really impactful, just knowing there’s so much more out there.”