Career paths aren’t always linear — and for many counselors, their lived experiences play a powerful role in shaping how they show up for others.
For University of Bridgeport student Matthew Bellard, a 15-year career as a chef, combined with personal experience navigating substance use recovery, ultimately led to a calling in counseling. Now balancing two jobs, family life, and graduate school through UB’s online Counseling program, Matthew is committed to providing empathetic, authentic care to individuals who are often stigmatized or overlooked.
At the heart of Matthew’s journey is a belief that effective counseling starts with connection. Through compassion, patience, and dedication to professional development, he is working to meet clients where they are without judgment.
Advocating for authenticity
Can you tell us a little bit about your educational and professional journey before you enrolled in UB’s Counseling program?
I was a chef for almost 15 years. I had my own restaurant, which didn’t work out, and I fell out of love with it.
I was thinking about what I wanted to do next. I really liked psychology in high school, but I wasn’t the most academically focused student and wasn’t sure if I would get very far. Then, friends and family told me I should go to school for substance abuse counseling. I have a bit of a personal history with substance abuse, so it felt like the right thing to do.
How have your experiences motivated your work as a substance abuse counselor?
My history and background were a big part of it. Going through what I went through, I had a lot more bad counselors than good ones. I wanted to change that.
How does that perspective inform your practice?
While I met a lot of bad counselors, there were also good ones. For me, the biggest thing was their empathy and authenticity. I think those are the two most important tools a counselor can have. If there’s no empathy, there’s no connection. I’ve found that even with the most guarded clients, if you show them you care and are willing to be patient with them, they’ll begin to open up — even if it takes several sessions.
Working in substance abuse counseling, many clients are stigmatized, too. They’re sometimes in and out of rehabilitation centers or penitentiaries. I work at a local methadone clinic, and many clients come from lower-income backgrounds. They’re coming from places where they’ve been judged, and they’re tired of it. They don’t want to be judged — and if you’re being judgmental, they’re just going to shut down even more.
Advancing at UB
Why did you choose to pursue your MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through UB’s online degree program?
I work two jobs and have a family, so it would be difficult to drive to Bridgeport all the time.
In addition to the flexibility, what have you enjoyed about the remote program?
I like having Zoom classes. When I was in school for my bachelor’s degree, it was all online. It just wasn’t the same. With Zoom, you still get that same interaction with your classmates and professors. And being in the counseling field, interactive practice is an essential part of professional growth.
So far, are there any classes you’ve found to be particularly impactful?
The Cultural Development class definitely impacted me. I already work with a population that includes many marginalized clients. It was very important to learn as much as I could in that class, especially about populations I have less experience working with.
I also really enjoyed my first class, Motivational Interviewing. I’ve been a substance abuse counselor for four or five years. To be in that class and fine-tune the skills I already have made me want to advance in the field even more.
Have you been able to apply what you’ve learned in the Counseling program to your current role?
In this field, you’re always growing — there are always new ideas to learn. As I’ve continued to grow and practice my skills, I’ve definitely seen a difference in some of my work. I’ve already been able to apply many new ideas in group and client sessions.
Creating change in counseling
Looking ahead to your future in the field, how do you hope to continue growing and making a difference?
Private practice is the biggest goal for me, though I would also be okay continuing the work I do in methadone clinics. I also wouldn’t mind creating videos that make counseling strategies more accessible to clients. Many of the counseling videos out there are dry and unengaging. I’ve played some for clients before, but they get bored or lose track of the videos’ purpose. I’d love to make something more engaging that clients will find helpful.
If you were speaking to someone with similar lived experiences, what would you tell them about pursuing a career in counseling?
We need more people with personal, lived experience in the field. But at the same time, you’ll need to pursue your education. It may be easier for me to have empathy because I’ve lived in my clients’ shoes, but without learning the theories and science behind counseling, all I could do is pat them on the back.
With flexible online and on-campus scheduling options, UB’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is here to help you make your impact — combining career-focused learning with community-based practice. Learn more about earning your master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling today!
Bri Gagné is a content developer at University of Bridgeport, bringing backgrounds in literary studies, creative storytelling, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and social justice. They earned their bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Film Studies, and Gender Studies from University of Connecticut and a master’s in Elementary Education from Eastern Connecticut State University.
After teaching English abroad and locally, Bri transitioned to a full-time writing career, contributing to the University’s educational narratives and brand-building efforts. They are currently earning their Master of Fine Arts in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing at Emerson College.