What is your role at THIRA:

Past: Primary Therapist

Current: Utilization review & program coordinator

WHEN I’M NOT AT WORK, YOU CAN FIND ME….

At home with my hubs, snuggling our 5-month-old baby Lennon & playing with my three dogs (two great danes and a little one who rules the two big boys)

WHEN I WANT TO DE-STRESS, I…

 Work out & lift weights, hot tub, get a massage, and/or curl up and read a book!

MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR IS…

Season: Fall- I love the crisp air in the mornings. Wearing scarves/boots/sweaters, having the fire on, and drinking hot cocoa and apple cider.

MY FAVORITE THING TO COOK IS…

 Well, my favorite thing to eat is spaghetti and/or tacos and therefore, they are my favorite things to cook!

WHAT LED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER HELPING OTHERS?

I have always enjoyed helping others and helping others problem solve/find solutions and increase others happiness in any way that I can. During my bachelors, I ended up shadowing a social worker in a hospital setting and loved the work that she did and the difference that she made in those patients lives. I knew right then and there, I wanted to get a master’s in social work and help people for a career.

WHAT EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERTISE DO YOU BRING TO YOUR ROLE?

Bachelors in Healthcare Administration & Master’s in Social Work

WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I am inspired by our patients to decrease the stigma around mental health and make it more normalized and to do what I can in the future to fix the broken mental health system. I am inspired by my coworkers as they work hard with and for our patients each and every single day and it makes me proud to be a part of such a hardworking, compassionate, amazing team of woman! (And a few men behind the scenes of course). 

WHAT IS ONE SMALL THING PEOPLE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES AND INCREASE THEIR HAPPINESS?

Tough question. For me, making sure I am doing what I love each day so that my work doesn’t feel like a job. Making sure to fit in self-care for myself and to set boundaries for myself and with others (this is tough and something I am still working on). And to surround myself with the people I love and the people that support me and make my life better.