Kimberly Johnson, PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision ’25, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling ’12, used to think she belonged in a classroom. Not only because she started her career as a teacher, but because that’s how she believed she learned best.

“I have always thought that I should be on ground,” she said, picturing the kind of traditional campus experience many people still associate with graduate school.

But life was already moving too fast to press pause. She needed a way to keep working and keep advancing.

She found it at Walden, not once, but twice.

From Teacher to Counselor

You don’t spend years around students without noticing the difference between a child who is ready to learn and a child who is just trying to get through the day.

“I saw the needs of the kids,” Johnson said. “I wanted to spend more time with them.”

She became a school counselor, and over time, she began to feel the limits of what her role could address, even when the need was obvious.

She already had a master’s degree in education from Virginia State University, but now she needed a different kind of education, one that would help her pursue licensure in counseling and expand what she could do next, on a schedule that fit her life.

“I needed further education to fulfill licensure,” Johnson said. “And then also of course to get more experience.”

Why Dr. Johnson Choose Walden the First Time

Starting an online program can feel like a risk.

“I was very nervous,” Johnson said. “I never had really heard a lot about Walden.”

Then she saw what she needed to see. Walden’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is CACREP-accredited, and that gave her confidence that the program met her high standards.

What surprised her most was not just the coursework. It was the people. Early in the program, she realized she was surrounded by faculty who were deeply invested in developing professionals, not simply grading assignments.

And when she had questions, she asked them.

“The accountability piece was there,” she said. “I asked a lot of questions, and I never felt like I was asking the wrong question or too many questions.”

Flexibility and Support: Balancing Work, Life, and School

The program met the bar. Now it had to fit into real life.

“I was a single mom,” she said, “recently separated and going through a divorce with a 3-year-old.”

What made it manageable was steady, practical support that helped her keep going.

“The support that I received made it smoother,” Johnson said. “I had a sense of peace and comfort.”

And when something had to give, she felt she could communicate, adjust, and stay on track.

“There were times where I just needed extra hours or another day,” she said. “They were very, very supportive.”

Real-World Application: Licensure and Beyond

For Johnson, her degree was never about learning in theory. She wanted to apply what she learned directly to the care she provided. Her program helped her complete the requirements for licensure in Virginia, which opened a new chapter in her career: “I did go into private practice,” Johnson said. 

She expanded her client base beyond children, and eventually expanded into clinical supervision, mentoring other counseling students and early-career clinicians.

“I’m also a clinical supervisor,” she said.

Just as important, she began doing what many graduates do naturally: sharing her Walden experience with others. She encouraged other professionals to explore Walden, and she took pride in seeing them thrive.

Why She Came Back for Her Doctorate

After earning her Walden master’s degree, Johnson didn’t expect to go further.

“I said after this, I’m done,” she said. “I don’t need any more education.”

But she kept hearing the same message from faculty, and it stayed with her.

“They always talked about the next level, always expanding and growing,” she said.

Doubt was also part of the reason she hesitated to take the next step. Johnson describes knowing that she was capable, but she still fought uncertainty.

“There was a lot of self-sabotaging,” she said, but one faculty member “really helped to increase my confidence.”

So, when she finally decided to pursue her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, she did not shop around.

“I wasn’t going anywhere else other than Walden,” Johnson said.

What Changed After the Doctorate

Some achievements change your resume. Others change your outlook.

After earning her doctorate, the shift in opportunities was immediate.

“Now people are like, we want you,” she said, laughing. “We want you even more now.”

And the results were tangible.

But the bigger change was how she showed up, and what she felt trusted to lead.

“I feel confident walking into any room and being able to share my expertise,” she said, “and to drive any type of corrective action plan or be proactive in developing initiatives for various things regarding mental health and especially schools in the community.”

For Johnson, the doctorate is more than a professional accomplishment. It’s an achievement for her, and for those closest to her.

“I’m a first-generation doctoral graduate on both sides of my family,” she said.

Her daughters saw what it took, and what it changed.

“My little ones saying, you know, I want to be a doctor,” Johnson said.

And her mother saw it, too.

“My mom wasn’t even a high school graduate,” Johnson said. “So, to see her there, watching me walk across that stage, it meant everything.”

Considering What's Next?

If Dr. Johnson’s story seems familiar, it’s because the feeling is common: You know you can do more—and you want a program that helps you turn that readiness into real momentum.

Explore Walden’s online programs to find a path that aligns with your goals.

And if you are a grad returning to Walden, you may be eligible for up to 30% tuition savings in eligible programs, with additional savings opportunities available.

Walden’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MS in School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CACREP accreditation ensures that the content and quality of counselor-preparation master’s and doctoral degree programs have been evaluated and meet standards set by the profession.

Note on Licensure
Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboarddirectory or the American Association of State Counseling Boards at www.aascb.org, and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body. Learn more about professional licensure.