Shared Roots, Shared Purpose
After spending 20 years in marketing, Mona Klausing (‘13) knew she was ready for something different. So in her 40s, she decided to leave corporate life behind and take a leap to pursue a master’s degree in counseling at San Diego State University.
At SDSU, Mona found more than a new profession; she found community. Studying alongside classmates from different ages, cultures, and backgrounds was a refreshing shift from her corporate experience and shaped her passion for serving diverse and underserved communities.
After graduating, Mona stayed closely connected to SDSU, working at the university’s Center for Community Counseling and Engagement and collaborating with faculty and new MFT cohorts. After becoming licensed, Mona stepped into leadership at NISD Counseling, founded by her mentor, Dr. Jan Ewing, and taught in SDSU’s counseling programs for 11 years before retiring from teaching in 2025.
But while mentoring students and creating connections, Mona felt compelled to expand her private practice and create a place that was truly collaborative and empowering for all. Thus, Avani Counseling was born. Named after her daughter, Avani serves clients across California, offering individual, couples, family, and group therapy, along with mental health workshops and corporate wellness programs.
Nine out of ten therapists at Avani are SDSU alumni, something that happened naturally because of the shared training, values, and approach to care. For the team, it creates a sense of trust, alignment, and friendship. They are not just coworkers, they are family.
When she reflects on her journey, Mona can clearly trace it back to the relationships she built at SDSU. Her advice to students and young alumni is simple: get to know your professors, spend time with your classmates, and invest in those connections, as you never know how they might shape your future, just like they shaped hers.