Concordia Nebraska celebrates first class of Marriage and Family Therapy graduates

Concordia University, Nebraska recently celebrated the first graduates of the university’s Marriage and Family Therapy master’s degree program. The program features a Scripture-infused view of modern psychology and therapy that transforms marriages, families and communities by focusing on faith and family perspectives. The program’s first graduates included Hannah Haas of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Emily Morris of Grand Island, Nebraska; Anna Herl of Seward, Nebraska; Breanna Romero of Seward, Nebraska; Elena Phahongchanh of North Las Vegas, Nevada; and Kimberly Dixon of Reno, Nevada. 

Featuring Christ-focused perspectives, Concordia Nebraska’s master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy prepares students for therapy licensure that applies to various psychology and counseling environments including schools, hospitals, churches, private practice, community mental health and social services organizations and more. The program also allows students to acquire in-depth, real-world experience through a 300-hour practicum.  

“A degree in Marriage and Family Therapy not only enables you to secure a job in therapy or counseling, but also unlocks additional career roles in leadership and administration, teaching and higher education positions, speaking about mental health and specific areas of interest and pioneering education of Christian perspectives and influence on ministry and counseling,” said Kathleen von Kampen ’10, Concordia University, Nebraska’s program director for master of arts in marriage and family therapy and master of science in family life education. “I have been consistently impressed and thankful for this first group of students, who were willing to jump into this brand-new program with a commitment to personal and academic growth, ready to serve others with professionalism and compassion. Throughout their time in the program, they have engaged thoughtfully with new concepts and challenging material, supported one another, and developed clinical skills that have made them ready to practice wherever they go. I am excited about the opportunities they are already stepping into at various agencies and private practices. 

 MFT graduate student snapshot: Hannah Haas 

In addition to being one of the university’s first Marriage and Family Therapy program graduates, Hannah Haas ’24 GR ’26 has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology from Concordia Nebraska. She came to the university to play women’s soccer and found a community of special people who treated her like family, she said. 

When Haas began her graduate studies, she was working as a direct care staff member at CEDARS Youth Services. About halfway through the MFT program, she was promoted to assistant program director, which gave her the opportunity to grow as a leader while continuing to work directly with youth and families. 

“My experience in Concordia’s MFT program has been so meaningful to me. Throughout the program, I learned not only how to be a therapist but also how to better understand people, relationships and the impact our experiences have on us,” she said. “The program challenged me to grow both professionally and personally, and I am grateful for that.” 

She said that her professors were incredibly supportive and encouraging.  

“They were knowledgeable, supportive and truly cared about their students. I always felt encouraged to ask questions, learn and grow. Their passion for the field made me even more excited about becoming a therapist,” she explained. “The classes helped me build a strong foundation in family systems, counseling theories and clinical skills. I especially appreciated learning how to view clients through a systemic lens and understanding how relationships can impact mental health and well-being. My practicum and internship experiences were some of the most valuable parts of the program. Being able to work directly with clients while receiving support and guidance helped me grow in confidence and begin developing my own counseling style.” 

“The Marriage and Family Therapy program at Concordia Nebraska provides a rigorous and supportive learning environment that prepares students to serve individuals, couples and families through both clinical excellence and a distinctly Christian worldview. Students are encouraged to view therapy as a vocation of service, recognizing the dignity and worth of others as created in God’s image.”

She said the program’s professors helped her discover her purpose by allowing her the space to grow into the therapist she wants to be. They encouraged her to learn, ask questions and find her own voice rather than fitting into a specific mold.  

“Their support helped me build confidence in my strengths, develop my own counseling style and trust the path I am on. I'm grateful they created an environment where I could grow while still staying true to who I am,” she said. “Concordia prepared me for my current service through the support and guidance of my professors, as well as the faith-centered environment that surrounded the program. There were many moments when prayer, encouragement and mentorship helped me navigate challenges and continue growing. Concordia taught me that serving others is about more than knowledge and skills, it's also about leading with compassion, faith and a willingness to walk alongside people in their journey. Those lessons continue to shape the way I approach my work every day.” 

She said that in addition to equipping her to serve others, the program also strengthened her faith in Jesus Christ. 

“Through prayer, encouragement from professors and classmates and a Christ-centered approach to learning, I was able to strengthen my relationship with God throughout my time in the program. One thing I especially appreciated was the balance between faith and clinical practice. While faith was valued and encouraged, we were also taught how to effectively work with clients from all backgrounds, beliefs and experiences,” she said. “The program emphasized the importance of meeting clients where they are, respecting their values and providing ethical, client-centered care. This helped me understand how my faith can guide the way I serve others through compassion, humility and grace, while still honoring each client's unique journey and worldview. My experience at Concordia showed me that faith can be a source of strength and support while also teaching me how to walk alongside people whose beliefs may be different from my own.” 

Haas said that the MFT program’s design allowed her to balance her coursework, clinical training and professional role at CEDARS. She is now preparing to transition into a full-time children’s behavior therapist position with Lutheran Family Services. 

“Over the past three years, I have worked with children and adolescents from a variety of backgrounds, supporting their mental health needs and helping them build skills to create positive change in their lives. Those experiences reinforced my passion for working with youth and deepened my understanding of the challenges many young people face,” she said. “Looking back, my time at Concordia and CEDARS helped shape both my professional identity and career path, preparing me for this next step as I enter the field as a therapist…Everything about my work is fulfilling. I cannot explain enough how rewarding it is to work with youth. Even on the hard days, I am still able to find moments of joy and remember why I chose this field. Being someone that youth can trust, feel safe with and simply be themselves around is a privilege that I never take for granted.” 

She said one of her favorite parts of her work is building genuine relationships with young people and creating an environment where they feel seen, heard and valued.  

“Watching them grow, overcome challenges, and recognize their own strengths is incredibly meaningful,” she said. “As I transition into my role as a therapist, I am excited for the opportunity to work with youth on a deeper level. I look forward to helping them explore their feelings, process life's challenges, and develop healthy tools that can create lasting positive change.” 

Haas said it is an honor to walk alongside young people during important moments in their lives, and she is grateful to be part of their journey. 

“The Marriage and Family Therapy program at Concordia Nebraska provides a rigorous and supportive learning environment that prepares students to serve individuals, couples and families through both clinical excellence and a distinctly Christian worldview. Students are encouraged to view therapy as a vocation of service, recognizing the dignity and worth of others as created in God’s image,” added von Kampen. “We equip future therapists to thoughtfully integrate faith, ethical practice, and evidence-based clinical skills while caring for the mental, relational and spiritual dimensions of those they serve. Our faculty invests in students’ professional and personal formation, helping them grow as competent clinicians who bring hope and grace to their work with clients and in their communities.” 

While earning a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Concordia University, Nebraska, students find a distinctive blend of faith-based instruction and real-world experience. Concordia’s MFT program includes online classes as both synchronous, live classes twice a week, as well as asynchronous assignments and discussions to apply the course learning.