For Sherrie Lynn Lilley, a graduate of Fordham University’s Mental Health Counseling program, becoming a counselor wasn’t just about learning theories—it was about applying them in ways that reflected her lived experience. Raised in Bermuda and now balancing private practice, teaching, and advocacy work, Sherrie’s story shows how Fordham’s program prepares counselors to connect deeply with others while driving meaningful change.
When asked why she chose Fordham, Sherrie said she was drawn to its commitment to diversity and social justice. “Fordham’s focus on multiculturalism was a big part of what brought me here,” she explained. “The program’s community of students and faculty is so diverse, and that made the conversations richer. I felt seen and understood, which is something I hoped to pass on to my clients.”
Advocacy and Resilience
Sherrie’s path hasn’t been without challenges. As a blind student, she faced barriers to accessibility, particularly when it came to finding an internship. Yet these experiences taught her how to advocate for herself and paved the way for greater support for students like her in the future.
“I didn’t want to be treated as a special case,” she said. “Just give me the work in a format I can access, and I’ll handle it. But navigating the internship process was tough. It wasn’t just about finding the right fit—it was about ensuring the accommodations I needed were in place.”
Sherrie credits Fordham for working alongside her to find solutions, noting, “It was new for both of us, but we figured it out together. Those lessons in advocacy have stuck with me, and I’m stronger for it.”
Recently, Sherrie applies those lessons in her advocacy work back home in Bermuda. She founded a charity that fights for the rights of people with disabilities in a country that lacks the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act. “The ADA opened doors for me that just aren’t available in Bermuda. It’s personal for me to create those same opportunities for others,” she said.
Counseling in a Changing World
As a counselor in private practice, Sherrie has seen how the pandemic reshaped mental health care, especially with the rise of telehealth. While some practitioners struggled with the lack of in-person observation, Sherry found it easier to adapt.
“For me, listening has always been key,” she explained. “I’ve always relied on tone, pauses, and other verbal cues to connect with clients. That didn’t change with telehealth. In some ways, I think I adapted faster than my colleagues who were used to relying on body language.”
Sherrie describes her counseling approach as grounded in psychodynamic theory, with a focus on meeting clients where they are. “I believe the past plays a big role in shaping who we are, but I also pull from other approaches depending on what the client needs,” she shared. “It’s about tailoring the process for the individual, not forcing them into a mold.”
Advice for Future Counselors
For students considering Fordham’s Mental Health Counseling program, Sherrie’s advice is heartfelt: “Take everything the program offers you. Connect with your professors and classmates. These relationships will carry you far.”
She also encouraged students to stay open to the unexpected. “The theories you love in the classroom might not always fit perfectly in practice. Be ready to adapt. Counseling is about the human being in front of you, not the textbook.”
For Sherrie, the most rewarding part of her work is witnessing transformation. “When a client begins to understand themselves or sees a path forward, that’s the magic. That’s why I do this,” she said.
Her journey reflects the heart of Fordham’s program: preparing counselors not just to understand theory, but to live it, adapt it, and use it to make the world a little better—one client at a time.
To watch the full interview, tap below:
This content was provided by Sherrie Lynn Lilley and Yun Mei, edited by Vince Ricco.
For more inspiring outcome stories from our Mental Health Counseling program, explore the tag “Mental Health Counseling” on our blog or click here.
