In Support of Kristen Hutchinson

Hello, my name is Kristen. I am 43 years old and this is the year I decided to walk the path God’s prepared for me. In August 2026, I began full-time, in person, study towards a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology. I can’t go at it alone, and need help to make my calling a reality.

For the first month I was in school, I was working half-time after classes were over for the day. After nearly a month and at least one scary sleep-deprived drive to school, I took a step back to evaluate just what I am doing with my life.

On another drive to school, when I was praying over what I should do, the radio fuzzed out and I was changing the station. Clear as day, while between stations was an advertisement for my school. As I was driving to class.

I need to pursue school fully. Which will mean sacrificing the stability I worked hard to bring to my life after the chaos of my childhood and early adult years.

I can only get there with your help.

My mom died when I was 22. My dad when I was 30. Both experienced health issues and were unemployed. My grandparents were my biggest cheerleaders. My grandpa passed away several years ago and my grandmother passed away the same week as my in-person interview for my doctoral program in February 2026. They were hard-working people and also could not leave us with much financially.

After the interview day, I was called less than a week later and invited to the Doctorate of Clinical Psychology program at George Fox University in Oregon. Finally, I get to live my dream to help serve vulnerable populations more fully than what I have done in the past. Career choices that ultimately paved the way for where I am today.

As much as I want to keep working, I also want to follow God’s path for my life.

My loving and supportive husband has a job but his income alone will not support us. And given our age and stage of life, we are limited in some resources and need to preserve others. My husband's health is also a consideration and the resources we have saved may be needed if he has to retire early.

I am asking for help to raise the funding we will need to make ends meet over the course of my five year program. Your help will mean that my dream of starting my own private practice will be doable because repaying student loans will be a scalable obstacle and not a sea of debt.

Because of the current student loan limits my financial aid only just covers my cost of tuition. We won’t qualify for supplemental services, even without my income. We are hoping to avoid steep personal loans and I am looking for ways and opportunities to bring in outside income when I have time to work, such as during breaks from classes.

Your support will cover very real tangible needs like:

Gas and oil changes for my car. I drive a hybrid and currently am commuting to and from school five days a week. It's an hour and a half drive each way. I’m currently spending $500 a month on gas. Oil changes are needed every 2 months at $100. And I need new tires soon.
Food.
Caffeine. Because let's be real, coffee and I are going to be spending a lot of nights reading, writing and studying together.
Costs of medication and co-pays for medically necessary appointments.
Additional school costs such as attending conferences and applying for internship matching. And that's assuming the cost won't rise between now and year four of my program. Costs of memberships to resource groups that will aid in my research and dissertation. Textbooks.
Taxes and insurances for our home.
Self care. Which is absolutely critical when one is pursuing a doctoral. Trust me, you want your healers able to fill their cups so they can heal you to fill yours. Nothing lavish, we're talking an occasional movie or Crumbl cookie. Maybe a date night with my husband once a week so he remembers I exist outside my study cave.

I have been a cheerful giver my whole life. But God also wants us to be cheerful in our request for aid. I cheerfully, and humbly, ask for your support. God has called me to this purpose. Please help me do His work by helping me along the way. I would be forever grateful for your generosity.