Hi there! My name is Therese (thur-ees), I use she/her pronouns, and I am currently a third-year student at UW double majoring in Psychology and Creative Writing. I decided to become a Peer Health Educator because I truly believe that knowledge is power and learning more about how to take care of yourself will only empower you to take care of others. While psychology, creative writing, and peer health education may seem unrelated, there is a common thread among the three: an emphasis on understanding human relationships. Psychology uses evidence-based information to understand the mind and behavior of individuals, both of which are affected by their relationships. Creative writing is a medium used to express one’s observations and experience in relationships. Being a Peer Health Educator involves learning how to skillfully manage relationships within the workplace, as well as while presenting information to an audience. Not only will my role as a Peer Health Educator connect my academic interests with my deepest passions, it will also teach, challenge, and fulfill me, and I can’t wait to get started!

This is my first year as a Peer Wellness Coach, but already I have learned so much about well-being and the way that I can support others. One of the skills that I’ve learned, and something that will inform my process as a Coach, is that asking questions can be more valuable than giving them answers. My first instinct has always been to give advice, as we normally do as friends and peers, but I have learned to stay curious for a little longer and hold space for others to reflect and focus on their process. That’s at the heart of Peer Wellness Coaching—having a conversation with a trained peer that gives you space to reflect and grow in the ways you want and need! I’m here to teach effective skills that you can use to create the changes you want with intention and a sense of empowerment. My purpose as a Peer Wellness Coach is to support you through the transition we are all on in early adulthood, all the while acknowledging your self-efficacy as an adult. After all, you’re the only one who knows what’s best for you.