My name is Rachel Zukiwsky and I am a first-year graduate student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology Doctoral Program at the University of Alberta. Going into university, I had no idea that I would have fallen into the route of psychology; once I did, there was no turning back. From initial courses on developmental psychology and brain and behaviour, I was immediately hooked. With a keen interest in holistic health and wellbeing, I focused my studies on both the physiological and mental processes of health and functioning, studying neurophysiology, childhood social and emotional development, stress physiology, and neuropsychology. This education greatly influenced my master's education and practica work, allowing for greater insight into the physiological impacts of development on mental processes and functioning, insights into ethical considerations when working with children, and how to partner with children and their families in practice. My background also supported my master's thesis in understanding how parenting stress is related to the social and emotional development of children across the ages of 3-5 years. Now starting my Ph.D., I intend to use my clinical and research experiences, as well as my enthusiasm to work with children, adolescents and their families, to gain competency in developmental psychopathology and intervention skills. With a trauma-informed and inclusive approach, I hope to help youth and their families understand and cope with their adversities, while promoting equity and inclusion.