Some people are called to directly help others, and Jason Wong PsyD ’19 knew that he wanted to help as many people as possible. After graduating from Azusa Pacific University with a doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD), he found a passion for connecting with and helping college students through mental health challenges.
After graduating college, Wong became a licensed healthcare professional but felt that something about his career choice didn’t fit his calling correctly. Since his brother, Michael Wong, works at APU in the Department of Physical Therapy, Wong got a firsthand look at how a graduate program can successfully and intentionally integrate faith into academics which is exactly what he was looking for. He looked into the clinical psychology program and found that it would help him succeed as a clinician. “The work I did at APU integrated psychology and spirituality so that I could think about who I am and how I fit into the Kingdom of God in the work I am called to do.”
Wong chose to study clinical psychology after having a career in healthcare because of his passion for caring for others. “I’ve always been good at listening and supporting others,” he said. “I realized that I enjoyed being in the ballpark of healthcare, but I felt more fulfilled in being a caring presence for others which I was able to focus on as a counselor.” Wong holds a holistic view of health since he has experience in fields encompassing spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health. “They all interact, and you can’t neglect one element and say you’re healthy.” Wong said that psychology shapes how we see ourselves, landscapes, relationships, and our spiritual environment, so it is an important part of understanding our health.
Wong received a postdoctoral fellowship at UC Santa Barbara and worked in a private practice before becoming a psychologist and the training director of the counseling center at Pepperdine University. In his role, Wong helps students with challenges ranging from anxiety and depression to couples issues and adjusting to college life. “Pepperdine has encouraged me to dive into areas I’m interested in improving,” he said. “I train the resident advisors on mental health, conduct consultations on campus, and spearhead ways to build community as an outreach partner with campus departments through learning to be alone together, and helping students destress.” As the training director, Wong works with students that are in the process of becoming therapists.
Similarly to APU, Pepperdine has a Christian religious affiliation which felt familiar to Wong and has inspired him to work with students the way he was treated at APU.
APU’s student population is diverse in faith backgrounds, and that also helped Wong grow in his own faith and in his career.
Wong believes that his legacy as a difference maker is seen through his community involvement. “Being a difference maker is about intentionally building community and helping people feel welcomed and involved through compassion, grace, and mercy,” he said. Not only does Wong do this with his clients and students, but also with his family. “Not everything in life is easy, but my wife has helped me become a better therapist and father through the challenges,” he said. “My daughter has also helped me to see faith, mercy, and beauty in a different way. They’ve both motivated me to be intentional with my time, reflect on who I want to be, and recognize what’s important to me.”
Wong’s career path to becoming a clinician was not always straightforward, and he encourages psychology students to be open to change. “Learn to enjoy what you’re learning in class, but be reflective of what that means for you,” he said. “Psychology is prevalent everywhere, so you can apply it to different aspects of your life and career. Be creative with what you learn and use your psychology background to do something beneficial.”