GMercyU’s Alumni Association Recognizes Outstanding Graduate Student

Each year, Gwynedd Mercy University’s Alumni Association presents two students, one undergraduate and one graduate, with an award at Honors Convocation. This year, Bryan McCauley is being recognized as this year’s Outstanding Graduate Student on Friday, May 16. He will graduate with his Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health on Saturday, May 17.

During his educational journey at GMercyU, Bryan served as the President for the Counselors of Social Justice Club and engaged in service opportunities with several organizations, including the Bucks County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to support equity-focused community initiatives and Harmony Theatre to provide performance opportunities for adults with special needs. As a Marine Corps veteran, Bryan facilitates weekly peer support meetings for veterans and first responders and conducts no-cost training sessions for law enforcement agencies.

Bryan completed an internship at PA Recovery Center in Phoenixville, Pa., where he developed and facilitated specialized group programming for first responders and veterans with a focus on trauma, addiction, and emotional regulation. He also conducted individual and group therapy sessions, completed assessments, and supported clients in building recovery-oriented coping skills.

As part of his internship, Bryan conducted research to evaluate client understanding of the disease model of addiction. The research highlighted a significant gap in addiction literacy, even in clients with multiple treatment episodes, and emphasized the importance of structured psychoeducation in improving insight and engagement in recovery.

Bryan recently passed the National Counselor’s Examination, received his Licensed Association Professional Counselor (LAPC), and started his own practice, Hardcharger Counseling and Consulting, which specializes in treatment for first responders and their families.