Her Story
About Allyson
Allyson Baez is a Treatment Placement Specialist with Acadia Healthcare based in Austin, Texas. With more than 10 years of experience in psychiatric and behavioral healthcare, she partners with providers, patients, and families to help individuals access the most appropriate level of behavioral health treatment. Specializing in residential treatment, Allyson works closely with Acadia Healthcare's network of programs to connect people with care for mental health, substance use, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. She is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, building strong community partnerships, and helping individuals find the support they need on their path to recovery.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Allyson
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for helping others, especially in the area of mental health. Supporting people through difficult times and helping them improve their well-being gives me a strong sense of purpose and motivates me to keep growing.
I am also greatly inspired by my mom. She has shown me what it means to be resilient, hardworking, and caring, and their support has motivated me to become the best version of myself. Watching the way she has overcome challenges and continue to help others has shaped the person I am today and encouraged me to pursue a career where I can make a positive difference in people’s lives.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to choose work that you are passionate about and that allows you to make a difference in others’ lives. This advice has guided my interest in the mental health field, where helping people improve their well-being is both meaningful and rewarding. It has taught me that success comes from staying compassionate, continuing to learn, and being dedicated to supporting others through their challenges.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the mental health and business development field is to believe in your abilities and stay confident in your voice. This industry needs compassionate leaders who can build strong relationships and create opportunities to expand access to mental health services.
Be open to learning, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to take on new challenges. Success comes from combining empathy with strong communication and leadership skills. Most importantly, stay passionate about helping others, because making a positive impact on people’s mental health is one of the most rewarding parts of this field.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the mental health field right now is meeting the growing demand for services while reducing the stigma around seeking help. Many communities still face shortages of mental health professionals, which can make it difficult for people to access the care they need.
At the same time, this creates a major opportunity to expand services, build strong community partnerships, and use innovative approaches like telehealth to reach more people. It is an exciting time to be in the mental health field because there is a greater awareness of the importance of mental health and more opportunities to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are compassion and balance. In the mental health field, compassion is essential because it allows me to support others with empathy and understanding. Balance is also very important to me. Working in mental health can be demanding, so maintaining a healthy work-life balance allows me to care for my own well-being while continuing to show up fully for others. I believe that taking care of yourself is just as important as helping others take care of themselves.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.