Called to Counsel: Kelly Hamilton's Journey of Faith

Kelly Hamilton’s story is a testament to what can happen when prayer, perseverance, passion, and purpose come together. A two-time alumna of Southern Nazarene University (SNU), Kelly graduated with her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) in May 2026, building on the Bachelor of Science in Family Studies & Gerontology she earned in 2023.

Kelly lives in the Tulsa area with her husband and family. While she is proud of her academic accomplishments, some of her greatest joys come from spending time with her adult children and embracing one of her favorite roles: being “Mimi” to her grandchildren.

Behind her educational journey is a deeper story of faith, recovery, service, and a calling that has been years in the making.

A Passion Born Through Ministry

For decades, Kelly has been actively involved in substance abuse recovery ministry. She has served in recovery ministry and leadership through the Church of the Nazarene and Celebrate Recovery, a faith-based twelve-step recovery program that has impacted countless lives.

Through that ministry, she discovered a passion that would eventually shape her future career.

“I am passionate about walking alongside women through difficult seasons of life,” Kelly said.

Much of Kelly’s adult life was spent balancing work, family, and ministry. Her professional experience included a variety of practical roles that helped support her family, including helping her husband launch and grow a successful heating and air conditioning business.

While those experiences were meaningful, the desire to pursue a different calling persisted.

Returning to a Long-Deferred Dream

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelly found herself with something she had rarely experienced before: the time and opportunity to pursue a dream she had carried for years.

“Earlier in life, circumstances, responsibilities, and my own struggles with substance use had delayed that goal,” Kelly shared.

Determined to pursue her goals, Kelly enrolled at Southern Nazarene University (SNU) and began working toward her bachelor’s degree. She graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Gerontology, a program now known as the Bachelor of Science in Human Services.

She chose SNU because of its cohort model, faith-based environment, and reputation among people she respected.

“Several individuals I know and deeply respect are SNU graduates,” Kelly said. “Although attending required a long commute and overcoming significant obstacles, I was drawn to the sense of community and the faith-based environment.”

Earning her bachelor’s degree was a major accomplishment, but for Kelly, it was only the beginning.

Pursuing a Calling

As part of the recovery process, participants are often encouraged to dream without limitations and consider what they would pursue if nothing stood in their way.

For Kelly, the answer had never changed.

“Part of going through the 12 steps of recovery is exploring dreams and goals as if nothing could get in the way,” she explained. “My answer has always been: I want to be a therapist.”

Through prayer, reflection, and her recovery journey, the path forward became increasingly clear. What had once seemed like a distant possibility was beginning to feel attainable.

“My personal experiences, recovery journey, ministry involvement, and passion for helping others all pointed me in that direction, so I pursued my calling.”

That calling led her to SNU’s Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program, where she would gain the knowledge and skills needed to serve others professionally while continuing to grow personally.

Finding Strength Through Community

Graduate school brought both opportunities and challenges. During her time in the counseling program, Kelly experienced the loss of two loved ones, forcing her to navigate grief while continuing to rise to the demands of graduate-level coursework.

“During my time in the counseling program, I experienced two significant personal losses, and walking through grief while continuing graduate school was incredibly difficult,” Kelly shared.

During those difficult seasons, the support of her cohort became invaluable.

“The support I received from my peers made a lasting impact. The cohort model helped create an environment where students could support one another not only academically but also personally. I felt seen, encouraged, and cared for during some of the hardest seasons of my life.”

The experience reinforced one of the qualities that attracted Kelly to counseling in the first place: the importance of having people who walk beside you during life’s most difficult times.

Prepared to Make a Difference

Kelly’s experiences in recovery ministry, combined with the education and support she received at SNU, have only strengthened her commitment to helping others heal and grow.

“My true passion has always been working with women struggling with addiction and in recovery,” Kelly said.

Now, with her master’s degree completed, she is preparing for the next phase of her professional journey.

“Now I am ready to step into the career I was truly called to pursue, and I am excited to begin this next chapter of helping individuals with trauma, addiction, and grief.”

Kelly credits SNU’s master’s program in counseling psychology with providing both the educational preparation and practical foundation needed for success in the counseling profession.

“Earning my degree absolutely set me up for success,” Kelly said. “Becoming a licensed professional counselor requires a master’s degree in counseling, so completing this program was essential. Beyond meeting the educational requirements for licensure, the program equipped me with clinical skills and a professional foundation to work effectively with clients.”

Living Out Her Purpose

Kelly’s journey has not followed a traditional timeline, but it is one marked by faith, resilience, and a willingness to keep moving forward despite obstacles.

From recovery ministry to higher education, from personal challenges to professional preparation, each chapter has helped shape her into the counselor she is becoming. The dream that once felt distant has become reality, shaped by years of reflection, sustained by prayer, and fueled by a passion for helping others.

As she begins this next season, Kelly is stepping confidently into the work she has felt called to do for years: helping others navigate trauma, addiction, grief, and healing.

Please join us in congratulating Kelly Hamilton on earning her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. We look forward to seeing the many lives she will impact as she continues to serve others with compassion, wisdom, and hope.