Her Story
About Rachelle
My journey in mental health began in 2008 when I started doing community-based therapy in Massachusetts, where I grew up. I would go into the homes of at-risk youth and their families, working to support them and minimize undesired behaviors. This work was deeply meaningful to me because I had a difficult childhood myself, and in my culture, children were to be seen and not heard. I didn't feel safe growing up because I couldn't express myself, and I always knew I wanted to help kids like me have an outlet and feel heard. In 2015, I moved to Rhode Island to work as a school social worker at a behavioral school, where I spent three years before joining my current agency. Since January 2020, I have been working as a supervisor, overseeing therapists who follow a specific evidence-based model called the Multisystemic therapy Problematic sexualixed behaviors (MST-PSB). We work with children (and their families), who have exhibited or engaged in a form of inappropriate sexualized behaviors. In 2020, during the racial justice movement following George Floyd's death, I reached out to the president of NAFI at the time to thank him for supporting staff of color. He connected me with our executive director and the start of our DEIB committee began, which I now co-chair. I also co-facilitate Courageous Conversations sessions throughout the agency, providing a safe space for colleagues to discuss difficult topics like racism and workforce challenges. I completed my agency's inaugural leadership program and now am a mentor a member of the current cohort.
What drives my success is my love for what I do, the support I've received from others and my commitment to ensuring that no child goes through what I experienced alone. I push my team to stay consistent and dedicated because the kids we work with often lack that consistency in their lives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rachelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my love for what I do and I have also been blessed with great supervisors in my career who provide me with guidance and support that help strengthen my skills. Also knowing since I was a kid that helping children was my goal. That was something I didn't really get growing up, so since that was my focus, I don't want a kid to go through what I went through of not being able to turn to anyone. That's what helps motivate me and attributes to my success, because it helps me to actually push my team when they're feeling like this isn't working or a kid isn't going to make it. I remind them that these kids are just going through stuff, so it's not going to be easy. But we have to stick through it and be consistent, because a lot of the times, the kids we work with don't have that consistency from anyone in their lives. I would also say that hard work and dedication are important, but more so the love for what I do is what drives my success.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
While we are fortunate to be able to help others, remember that we have to take care of ourselves as well. We're not helping anyone if we can't take care of ourselves.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in mental health right now is that there's still a stigma around therapy. Now it's more out there and people are starting to talk about going into therapy, but there's still that stigma where people feel like 'I don't need therapy' or they see it as a bad thing or something embarrassing. That's not what we're here for. We're not here to judge anyone or shame someone. It's about having that outlet to share what you feel comfortable sharing in an environment where you're not being judged. I just wish more people understood that and understood the seriousness of mental health and what can happen when it's not treated correctly. Doing therapy doesn't mean you're not going to survive. The whole point is to help you thrive and be more resilient.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My faith is one of the most important values to me. I wouldn't be where I am without God's guidance. I would also say honesty, which is probably something everyone says, but it's very important to be honest with others but also be honest with yourself. Accountability is another key value for me. It's not easy to admit to your mistake but you can only grow by admitting your mistake and being willing to learn from it. Dedication in all you do. If it's something you really desire commit to it, be dedicated to it. You grow when you put in 100%. Self-growth is also an important value - I believe in continuously learning and improving. Resiliency is crucial to me, and perseverance, which is about not giving up and keep pushing forward no matter what challenges come your way.
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