What brought you to The Child Center of NY?
When thinking about my career path, I had always felt called to work with young people because of their capacity to change and grow, as well as the joy I get out of connecting with them and their families. I was also drawn to working in a clinical capacity, empowering others to enhance their mental health and wellness. I had previously been enjoying doing social work with older adults, but when my friend who was working for The Child Center of NY recommended I apply to be a therapist, I pursued the opportunity. I am grateful for that push that led me here.
What is your day-to-day like?
On a typical day, I meet children and families new to The Child Center of NY and engage them in our clinic’s intake process to get enrolled in services. I also hold therapy sessions with the individuals and family members who I treat on an ongoing basis. Additionally, I visit schools, doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other neighborhood partners to conduct outreach and share The Child Center’s message with the community. Various other tasks related to providing quality therapeutic care tend to arise in between.
What inspires you?
The people I work with inspire me daily, including the children, their families, and my colleagues. The work gets challenging, but the people around me who are working hard, taking risks, and sharing their gifts give me many reasons to continue. On another note, a spiritual poem that is very important to me is called, “Disturb Us, O Lord.” In my life, I seek to be aware of not only the good and the beautiful in the world, but also injustice, violence, and oppression. Whether or not I open myself to understanding all that surrounds me, it does exist regardless, and I would rather remember the reasons worth fighting for a brighter future and be stirred to action than grow complacent. When I encounter difficult situations in the lives of those I am working with, I recall those values and find hope in the power of change.
Any big plans or changes ahead you’d like to share?
I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the staff at South Jamaica to develop innovative ideas to enrich our community, as well as joining efforts with clinicians from across the Behavioral Health department to enhance the intake and treatment process.
