Valerie Felix

I attribute my success to perseverance and the decision to never stop moving forward, even during difficult seasons of life. Being a single mother was one of the greatest motivating forces behind my drive to continue my education and build a career in behavioral health. Once I found my passion for this field, I knew it was where I wanted to grow both personally and professionally.

I have always approached challenges with the mindset that there is always a way to make things work. Rather than focusing on limitations, I focused on the opportunities and resources I did have and remained determined to keep building a better future for my son and myself. I viewed obstacles not as setbacks, but as challenges to work through with resilience, adaptability, and persistence.

I am also deeply grateful for the support of my family during those years, especially while balancing internships, work, and graduate school. One memory that has always stayed with me is sitting late at night working on a paper while my son lay across my lap with his sippy cup beside him. I remember reaching over him to continue typing, knowing that every sacrifice and long night was for us and for the future I was working to create. That memory continues to inspire me and serves as a reminder of how far we have come.

One of the best pieces of career advice I have ever received was to never limit myself to the role I am currently in and to always remain open to growth opportunities, even when they feel uncomfortable or unexpected. That mindset encouraged me to continue learning, take on new responsibilities, and trust my ability to adapt throughout different stages of my career.

In behavioral health, I have learned that growth often comes from being willing to step outside of your comfort zone, ask questions, and remain teachable. Some of the most valuable opportunities in my career came from experiences that challenged me to think differently and expand beyond strictly clinical work into operational leadership and strategic planning.

I also believe in the importance of building strong relationships and treating people with respect regardless of their role. Behavioral healthcare is built on collaboration, and some of the greatest professional growth comes from listening, learning from others, and understanding perspectives across all levels of care and operations.

Most importantly, I learned that consistency matters more than perfection. Continuing to show up, remain adaptable, and stay focused on long-term goals has been one of the biggest contributors to both my personal and professional growth.

My advice to young women entering the behavioral health field would be to remain open to growth, stay resilient during challenging moments, and never underestimate the value of your voice and perspective. Behavioral healthcare can be emotionally demanding, but it is also one of the most meaningful and impactful fields to work in.

I would encourage them to take the time to truly learn the clinical side of the work while also remaining curious about the operational and administrative aspects that help support patient care. Understanding both perspectives can create opportunities for leadership and allow you to make a broader impact within healthcare systems. Some of the most valuable growth in my own career came from learning how to bridge the gap between clinical care and the operational processes that sustain access to treatment.

I would also remind them that career paths are rarely linear. Some opportunities may come unexpectedly, and growth often happens when you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone and continue learning. Do not let fear, self-doubt, or difficult circumstances convince you that you are not capable of succeeding.

Most importantly, remember that success does not have to look the same for everyone. Stay focused on your goals, continue building your skills, and give yourself grace during the process. Consistency, adaptability, and perseverance will carry you much further than perfection ever will.

The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life are integrity, resilience, compassion, and accountability. I believe in showing up consistently, following through on commitments, and treating people with respect regardless of their role or circumstances.

In behavioral healthcare, compassion and accountability must work together. It is important to advocate for quality patient care while also maintaining strong operational standards that support access to treatment and long-term sustainability. Throughout my career, I have remained passionate about helping bridge the gap between clinical care and the systems that support it, always keeping patient wellbeing at the center of the work.

Resilience has also been a defining value in my life. Balancing education, career growth, and motherhood taught me the importance of adaptability, perseverance, and maintaining perspective during difficult seasons. Those experiences shaped not only the way I lead professionally, but also the way I approach challenges personally.

Above all, I value growth — both in myself and in the people around me. I believe there is always an opportunity to learn, improve, and help others succeed, and I try to carry that mindset into every aspect of my work and life.