Inpatient Social Worker, Goshen

How has your career grown since you started?

Working at Oaklawn has meant consistent growth and opportunity. In the last eight years I have had the opportunity to learn about both addictions and mental health. I can now confidently run IOP, mental health, dual diagnosis and trauma groups. I know what information to collect in order to obtain a thorough assessment to start the therapy process. With Oaklawn’s commitment to professional growth and opportunities provided to me, I can now say that I am experienced in emergency room assessments, individual and group therapy, EMDR, IFS and acute inpatient care for mental health. I obtained both of my professional licensures with Oaklawn, including the necessary supervision.

What do you look forward to each day at work?

I look forward to seeing my team, who feel more like family. I have been on both the addictions team and the inpatient team and have worked with the best, most dedicated and trauma-informed staff I could ask for. I look forward to our collaborative and multidisciplinary treatment team staffings, where we determine the best care for our patients together. I love seeking out opportunities to teach. Mostly, I look forward to my patients and watching them heal and grow.

What’s a memorable or rewarding experience you’ve had on the job?

I had two parents who both went through substance abuse treatment in our program. They worked hard for over a year. Getting the call from the courthouse on the day they got their kids back was a highlight of my career. There are so many rewarding experiences.

What makes Oaklawn unique compared to other workplaces?

The feeling of family with your co-workers. The continued learning that we all go through together as mental health providers and leaders in our community. From the top down, Oaklawn takes on new challenges and growth instead of remaining stagnant. As a collective team, we continue to move towards improving and being the best we can be for our community.

What are some ways you feel supported at Oaklawn?

My clinical supervisor has been a gift to me, and I look forward to our supervision. The upper management at Oaklawn are people who are around and available. They are not figureheads behind closed doors. They are a part of day-to-day teams and feel accessible. My Cedars team is the best of the best. We deal with really difficult situations, and we always have each other’s back.