Her Story
About Catherine
I started my career in elementary education before transitioning to the mental health field. I've been working as a mental health clinician for about 2 years, and I currently manage a team of 9 employees called the Community Action Team. We provide services to children who have severe and persistent mental illness, and our team consists of therapists, mentors, psychiatrists, nurses, and care coordinators. I've worked for both nonprofits and private practices throughout my career. What inspired me to enter this field was having a family member with a severe and persistent mental illness, which led me into social work. The biggest challenge in my field is that graduate school doesn't prepare you for how impactful this work is and how life-changing it can be. Mental health is stigmatized a lot in our community, and it's so important that people understand that you don't have to go through it alone. There is help out there, there are resources, and there are things that can support you.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Catherine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my resiliency. When I was younger, I went to work with my mom cleaning homes, and I feel like that gave me a lot of good work ethic. That early experience of working alongside my mother really shaped my approach to work and helped me develop the strong work ethic that has carried me through my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received includes never saying 'I don't know.' Someone told me that, and I've taken it to heart. I'll never say I don't know. Another important piece of advice I received is that there's a difference between a leader and a manager. These two pieces of guidance have really shaped how I approach my role and my professional development.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Community mental health can be very challenging and super astounding, but it can be very rewarding. There are things that school does not prepare you for, but those are the things you learn and grow from. Just always be open to learning and growing in your field. Whether it's taking CEUs, or getting certifications, or things of that nature, to expand your knowledge, because we don't know it all as clinicians. The work is impactful and life-changing, and it's important to understand that you're helping people who don't have to go through their struggles alone.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is that in graduate school, they don't prepare you for how impactful this work is and how really life-changing it can be. Mental health is stigmatized a lot in our community, and it's just so important that people understand that you don't have to go through it alone. There is help out there, there are resources, and there are things that can support you. Breaking down that stigma and helping people access the support they need is one of the most critical challenges we face.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my personal and professional life are honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. These are values I hold dear and that I also work on with the children I serve. I ask my kiddos this all the time - what are your morals and values? They often say they don't know at first, but by the time we're done working together in a year, they're listing them off on their fingers. It's really cool to see that growth. These core values of honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity guide everything I do.
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