For Annie Gubler, the path to studying psychology at BYU-Idaho has been shaped by a diverse upbringing and personal challenges with mental health.

“Growing up, I was surrounded by people of all different backgrounds, and that completely shaped me,” said Gubler.

These early experiences of seeing the world through multiple perspectives inspire her pursuit of a career in therapy, where she hopes to offer others the same empathy and understanding she has cultivated throughout her life.

Originally from Campbell, California, near San Jos, Gubler's journey to understanding human behavior and emotions began in California’s Bay Area.

“Seeing different perspectives and viewpoints really allowed me to flourish,” Gubler said.

Her decision to pursue a degree in psychology was born in high school when she set her sights on becoming a therapist.

Kate Lincoln grew up with Gubler attending the same ward, preschool and high school. She reflected on how much their friendship has grown through the years and how much fun they still have together.

“Annie Gubler is one of the most kind-hearted, empathetic, and goofiest people I know. I am so grateful she has been my best friend my whole life!” said Lincoln. “It is such a gift to watch as she directs her intellectual and emotional talents towards her future career as a child therapist. I am so grateful that people out there will get to know, work with and feel her light like I do.”

Gubler explained that she experienced anxiety a lot growing up and she wants to be an advocate for others going through similar struggles.

At BYUI, her academic focus on psychology is complemented with a child development cluster, as she hopes to specialize in child therapy.

“Childhood is such a pivotal time for development,” Gubler said. “I thought about making my minor child development, but I wanted to have more space for other classes like photography, film, theatre and business.”

Her passion for psychology spans several fields, but she feels particularly drawn to humanistic and developmental psychology.

“Humanism, built upon by the works of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, focuses on people and their strengths,” Gubler said. “Humanistic psychologists look at ways to help clients, oftentimes in a therapeutic setting, to reach their full potential and understand themselves. Developmental psychology is also really interesting and important because it highlights change throughout the lifespan.”

Her hands-on experience at Tueller Counseling in Idaho Falls as a certified peer support specialist deepens her commitment to mental health advocacy.

“It has been incredible to work with peers and youth, listening to their stories and seeing their progress. My love for others has grown exponentially through this experience,” Gubler said.

For her, mental health advocacy is both personal and professional. Diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder and social anxiety in recent years, she has become an advocate for spreading awareness and fostering understanding.

“Many people still have no clue what they are facing and why life feels so heavy,” Gubler said. “Spreading awareness about mental illness is absolutely crucial. It’s life-changing and saving.”

Her creative outlet, photography, offers a different way to connect with emotions and tell stories.

“Cameras are so incredible to me because we can capture a moment in time. Memories can be stored, and that is so beautiful,” Gubler said.

Her favorite photography projects include capturing raw emotions and candid moments that tell a story, including a studio assignment where she explores themes like self-worth and healing.

Balancing academics, creative pursuits and personal passions has been an important part of her time at BYUI. She credits intentional planning for her success.

“Balance can be difficult, especially in college. I try to keep my priorities straight. Acting with intention is so important,” Gubler said. “One day, I would absolutely love to open up my own private practice for mental health counseling. Also, with my love of social media, I hope to spread awareness through platforms to make a difference in any way I can."

Her social media experience stems from a passion for spreading mental health awareness combined with real-world experience helping run the BYUI Tutoring Center Instagram account.

“At BYU-Idaho, I have been able to work as a tutor and teaching assistant for a variety of psychology classes,” Gubler said. “I have absolutely loved working with the students and hearing their perspectives of the different topics throughout the classes.”

Through her work in psychology and photography, she is dedicated to capturing the beauty and complexity of life while helping others navigate their challenges and discover their strengths.

As she prepares to graduate in the next few weeks, Gubler looks forward to this new chapter of her life. Her parting advice? “Your best is enough.”