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Sue Ann Birdwell
M.A. Psychology, Child, Couple and Family Therapy, 2006
 She calls Antioch her chrysalis, where she entered as a caterpillar and emerged as a butterfly.
"The program at Antioch really prepared me well for the realities of working as a therapist," says Sue Ann Birdwell. "I feel I have more sensitivity to multiculturalism than other therapists. Antioch provided the ideal balance between self-exploration and professional training. I still refer back to class notes and readings. And the students at Antioch bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that really added to the richness of the learning dialogue."
For Birdwell, Antioch afforded too many great moments to share.
"That, in itself, is significant. Antioch provides a setting where students can interact in every class – sharing tears, fears, hopes and dreams," she says. "I am happy to say that several faculty members inspired me to be my best. Whether it was a kind, supportive comment about me or a gentle insight into areas that could use improvement, I felt cared for and supported by the faculty. I was more than a student number."
Before she came to Antioch, Birdwell worked as a family preservation therapist who helped families at risk of having children removed from the home by Child Protective Services. Before that, she was an elementary school teacher.
"I chose Antioch for several reasons: the teacher-to-student ratio; the average age and life experience of the students; the emphasis on humanitarianism; Antioch's progressive approach to learning," she says.
For those concerned about the cost of completing an Antioch master's degree in psychology, she suggests, "You will leave Antioch better prepared for a career in therapy. This increases your earning potential after graduation. Antioch's flexible scheduling and commuter schedule also allows you to work while you study."
Here's what Birdwell tells prospective students:
"I usually say that Antioch is a progressive school with a humanitarian approach. The learning experience is very personal and intensive, with just the right balance of personal and professional growth," she says.
Today, Birdwell operates Paradigm Counseling in Kirkland and is trained in lifespan integration. She specializes in helping families through difficult transitions, such as separation, divorce and remarriage. She is a child specialist and divorce coach in the field of collaborative divorce, as well as a court-appointed special advocate.
She performs parenting and family assessments for mediation, cooperative and collaborative law and has offered trainings and presentations for King County Collaborative Law, the Collaborative Professionals of Washington, Washington Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and the Dispute Resolution Center. She also chairs the King County Collaborative Law training committee.
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