Amber Rakoczy

I attribute my success first to a family who loved me deeply and instilled the values of hard work, education, and service to others. That foundation shaped both my drive and my purpose. I’ve also been fortunate to have incredible mentors and colleagues early in my career who nurtured my passion, supported my ideas — even the ambitious or unconventional ones — and helped me grow with confidence. Alongside that support, I’ve always carried a strong internal drive to prove myself, to do more, be more, and challenge the status quo. That combination of encouragement, mentorship, and a persistent desire to push boundaries has made all the difference.

One of the best pieces of career advice I’ve received is that we’re all replaceable. It felt harsh at first, even a little offensive, but over time it became freeing. It reminds me not to stay somewhere out of guilt once I’ve outgrown the role or no longer feel connected to the work. It also shapes how I lead — appreciating and investing in my team while recognizing that they, too, may eventually be ready to spread their wings. I’ve learned not to cling to people or beg them to stay, because growth sometimes requires movement. The world keeps spinning, even if it means juggling a few extra plates for a season.

I would encourage young women entering the field to take every opportunity to learn — ask questions, stay curious, and say yes to experiences that stretch you. It’s okay to respectfully question how things have always been done and to offer thoughtful alternatives when invited; growth often comes from fresh perspective. Break the mold and try new things, but early on, focus on listening and learning so your voice is informed and impactful. Confidence paired with humility goes a long way.

One of the biggest ongoing challenges in our field is turnover and burnout, along with broader staffing shortages. We’re also seeing a shift where many clinicians move directly into private practice, sometimes bypassing those early years in community mental health. Those entry-level roles — with mixed caseloads, crisis management, exposure to community systems, and work with diverse and high-acuity populations — provide invaluable experience and shape clinical depth. I do worry about what this shift means for our most vulnerable populations and whether we’ll have enough professionals willing and prepared to serve them.

At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities. There’s growing advocacy, increased visibility through social media, and a continued reduction in stigma around mental health. Public awareness is expanding, conversations are more open, and there’s real momentum toward innovation, education, and access — which creates meaningful space for progress in the field.

The values most important to me — both professionally and personally — are passion, trustworthiness, and hard work. I believe in loving what you do and being intentional about who you surround yourself with. Honesty matters deeply to me, especially being honest with yourself and others about your capacity and recognizing when you’ve taken on too much (it doesn't mean I do this well, but I keep trying!). I also value giving yourself space to think, create, learn, and love. For me, it ultimately comes down to presence — being fully engaged with whoever is in front of you, whether that’s a colleague, a client, or a loved one.