UDallas Alumna Andrea Wierzchowski Awarded Melanie Foundation Scholarship

2017 Jul 19

Andrea Wierzchowski, MPsy '15, of Dallas, Texas, recently received the 2017 Melanie Foundation scholarship for her work in raising mental health awareness in traditionally underserved communities.

"When children engage in psychotherapy, there is something magical about their understanding of the world and their ability to heal from traumatic experiences," said Wierzchowski, who currently works at Dallas County's Henry Wade Juvenile Detention Center, where she provides assessment and psychotherapeutic services to incarcerated youth from ages 10 to 18.

Since completing her master's degree at the University of Dallas, Wierzchowski has gone on to pursue a doctorate in School Psychology from Texas Woman's University. She is currently completing her studies at the Momentous Institute as a doctoral practicum student, where she works with 10 to 14-year-old children and their families to help them improve self-control, problem-solving, mindfulness, communications skills and increased respect for themselves and others through the Huddle Up program.

Wierzchowski credits her University of Dallas education, and specifically her studies in phenomenological psychology, with her continued success.

The Melanie Foundation was created in 2006 to honor Melanie Merola O'Donnell, who dedicated her life to providing mental health care and passed away while working on her doctorate.