Andrew Haff’s story isn’t your typical intern tale. Andrew’s not chasing a first job—he’s rewriting his legacy. After 32 years in the aerospace industry and retiring from Northrop Grumman in 2023, Andrew felt satisfied building engineering teams to design solutions for our warfighters – but left yearning for something more. Now, just months from earning his MSW at Cal State San Marcos in May 2025, he’s brought his sharp mind and big heart to Palomar Family Counseling Services (PFCS) as an intern. This isn’t a detour—it’s an encore career with purpose.
A Pivot Sparked by Personal Stakes
Andrew’s shift from stealth fighter jets to human lives started close to home. Mental health challenges touched his family, exposing a broader truth: our community was starving for resources. That hit hard. Add a frustration with systemic inequities and he couldn’t sit still. He enrolled at CSUSM, determined to empower people and fight for justice, diversity, and access to care. What he once built for national security, he now builds for human resilience.
Thriving in the Thick of It
At PFCS, Andrew’s jumped in headfirst. Guided by his “fantastic” supervisor, Laura Stuver-Harris, he’s taken on a diverse caseload. He co-leads a domestic violence group with PFCS Therapist Gwen Evans, counsels adults in the Escondido clinic, and—surprise twist—found a groove with middle schoolers at MLK Middle School in Oceanside. “I didn’t expect to love that,” he admits, but those unfiltered kids light him up. His engineer’s precision meets a gritty empathy, making every session a chance to untangle and uplift.
Eyes on a Bigger Horizon
Andrew’s logging hours toward his LCSW, but he’s not stopping there. He’s here to deliver top-notch behavioral healthcare to North County and push for policies that make mental health a right, not a privilege. After decades fortifying a nation, he’s now fortifying lives—one client, one cause at a time. Social justice isn’t jargon to him; it’s a mission.
A Legacy Rewired
Andrew Haff isn’t winding down—he’s revving up. From aerospace to advocacy, he’s proof that the best missions don’t end; they evolve. At PFCS, he’s not just an intern—he’s a force, blending experience with heart to reshape lives and communities. His story’s just getting started.
Palomar Family Counseling Service offers a dynamic Therapist Trainee Program designed to support the next generation of mental health professionals in San Diego. This program provides graduate students with hands-on clinical experience, working with diverse populations across individual, family, and group settings. Trainees benefit from comprehensive supervision by licensed professionals, ample opportunities to meet practicum hour requirements, and a supportive community that fosters professional growth. As an approved practicum site for numerous universities, PFCS collaborates with both traditional and online academic programs, ensuring trainees receive the practical training needed to excel in their counseling careers while serving the North San Diego County community.