When Alonso del Conde moved from Mexico City to New York City, he set out on a new career path in mental health counseling, leaving behind his initial profession as a lawyer. Today, Alonso works at Robin Psych, a practice where he interned during his time as a student in Fordham’s Mental Health Counseling program. In this interview, he reflects on his journey, shares insights into the counseling field, and highlights how Fordham prepared him for success.
The Value of Diversity and Connection
“As an international student, I found Fordham to be an incredible place to learn because of its diversity—students come from so many different backgrounds, and that made our class discussions meaningful and valuable. In a city like New York, it’s exactly what you want.”
For Alonso, the small cohort sizes at Fordham were another key highlight. “The small cohort sizes really stood out. You get to know everyone well, and that sense of connection makes the experience even more impactful.”
Fordham’s emphasis on inclusion left a lasting impression. “The program is genuinely inclusive,” he explained. “It’s embedded in the curriculum and embraced by the faculty, which creates an open environment where you feel free to share your thoughts and perspectives. That’s essential in this field.”
Preparing for Real-World Challenges
While Fordham’s curriculum gave Alonso a strong foundation, he sees opportunities for future improvement. “The training is broad, which is important, but I think adding more opportunities for specialization in the final semester could make a big difference,” he said. “For example, students could focus more deeply on approaches like CBT or psychodynamic therapy.”
Alonso also highlighted the value of self-awareness for counseling students. “I think students should consider pursuing therapy themselves. Understanding your own experiences is vital—it makes you a better therapist,” he reflected.
Navigating the Rewards and Challenges of Counseling
In his current role, Alonso finds joy in helping clients build confidence and self-awareness. “The most rewarding part of my job is building strong therapeutic alliances,” he explained. “When the relationship is solid, clients open up, and that’s when real progress happens.”
However, the work comes with challenges. “The emotional side can be tough,” Alonso admitted. “You try not to get too emotionally involved, but it’s hard not to at times. Therapy is a human relationship, and you see a lot of suffering and struggle.”
The pandemic added another layer of complexity to the profession, particularly with the rise of telehealth. “Telehealth has been a mixed experience,” Alonso noted. “On one hand, it reduces no-shows, but for clients in shared living spaces, finding privacy can be difficult. It’s something we work through together.”
Advice for Students and Recent Graduates
Alonso offered practical advice for current students and those just entering the counseling field.
“Be patient with the process,” he said. “Becoming a counselor takes time, and it’s as much about discovering yourself as it is about learning the skills of the profession.”
For graduates, he emphasized the importance of finding supportive supervision. “Trust your gut,” he advised. “If a job doesn’t feel right, listen to that instinct. And make sure you find good supervision—it’s essential for your growth.”
As an international graduate, Alonso also acknowledged specific challenges related to visa sponsorship. “Navigating visa sponsorship is one of the biggest hurdles,” he said. “Start researching your options early while you’re still in school.”
Why Fordham?
Reflecting on his time at Fordham, Alonso credits the program with preparing him not only to work with clients but also to understand himself better.
“Fordham gave me the tools, confidence, and community I needed to succeed,” Alonso said. “It’s a place where you grow as a person, not just as a professional.”
Explore Your Future in Mental Health Counseling
Fordham University’s Mental Health Counseling program offers the skills, support, and community you need to make a meaningful difference. Learn more here.
To watch the full interview, tap below.
This content was provided by Jiahao Yang and Alonso Del Conde, 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.
