In high school, Gabriel Vangura had his mind set on becoming a mechanical engineer.
His parents and a high school mentor from his parish and school in Pittsburgh, named Anthony Isacco, Ph.D., thought he was better suited for a different career and urged him to pursue psychology instead.
Because he was receptive to their guidance and counseling, giving guidance and counseling will one day become his career.
Vangura started preparing for his career by earning a bachelor’s degree in experimental psychology.
“It was in the back of my head that I love talking to people,” Vangura said. “I have a lot to offer with helping people navigate the natural problems going on in their lives. I’ve always liked to help people, and I think this is a great way to do so.”
To further his education, Vangura is currently enrolled in Saint Mary’s new M.S. in Clinical Psychology program, beginning this fall. In fact, he’s the first to enroll. It could be because the program director is none other than Dr. Isacco.
The Vangura family has known Dr. Isacco for more than 10 years, and besides the fact that Gabriel Vangura jokes he can now beat him at basketball, he admires Dr. Isacco’s faith and the work he does within their diocese, and he says the respected psychologist has graciously been helping him navigate his academic career every step of the way.
“We have a great relationship, and he knows a lot about me and my personal interests, and this program seemed like a great opportunity,” Vangura said.
The M.S. in Clinical Psychology program is one of a kind; it’s the only program in the U.S. that fully integrates Catholic faith and ethics into clinical psychology training. The online program, rooted in the Lasallian Catholic tradition, lends rigorous clinical training with a faith based perspective, emphasizing ethics, spirituality, and holistic well-being.
Vangura believes that the integration of Catholicism into therapy is lacking in modern psychology. “Therapists are struggling because of it,” he said. “The lack of God’s presence in therapy and spirituality in therapeutic relationships is detrimental to the client and the therapist in general. Also, I am Catholic, and I think it’s important to integrate what I know to be true into therapy and to have a good solid base of those teachings.”
He believes there are others like him looking for such a unique program. “Completing a program that integrates the Catholic faith will help me build therapeutic relationships with my patients and help me better assist my patients. I need to assist the whole person. This program could help me better understand my client and help them in the ways they need help.”
After completing the M.S. program, Vangura plans to enroll in a Psy.D. program and eventually would love to open his own practice. “I think this master’s program will help me get a better idea of what I want to specialize in and point me in a better direction of my overall vocation,” he said.
