Position

I am currently working as a therapeutic case management counselor in Summit Olympus High School in Tacoma, Washington.

What led you to your current position?

I started as a social worker in 2019 in Tacoma during the pandemic, supporting local, unhoused folks and working to build networks of professionals to meet clients where they were at in the community.

I enjoyed this work not only because I was able to advocate and elevate necessities for my clients but also because it gave me a sense of what being truly client-centered was. This became key in all the work I did moving forward.

After this opportunity, I transitioned to working within a supportive housing complex as a case manager. I supported my clients and families in a variety of aspects, including finding legal supports and filing paperwork, as well as support with day-to-day behavioral health needs. This eventually brought me to Seneca, which was both a welcomed and sudden change of pace.

Working at Seneca within TCM has allowed me opportunities to connect with my clients and families more consistently and with greater emotional depth. I also have learned to combine being client-centered with being strength-based, which has elevated the level of care I’m able to provide to my clients and families.

What inspires you to do this work?

I am inspired to do this work by the opportunity to be a part of my families’ and clients’ journeys towards the goals they want to achieve. I also greatly enjoy empowering and advocating for those around me who do this work, and the joy and empowerment I receive from being a part of Seneca.

What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role?

A recent highlight from my work with TCM at Summit Olympus is the therapeutic connections I have experienced throughout this year. Specifically, through working with one of my kiddos on my caseload and seeing how hard they have worked to commit to their goals that they co-created with me within TCM.

This young person and their family have had a difficult time connecting with other providers and have frequently shared their difficult experiences in receiving mental health support. I have been truly honored and grateful for their trust and our ongoing therapeutic partnership. Through being connected to TCM, community resources, and working with school administration, this student has been able to better their mental health and will be graduating with their diploma at the end of the year.

I am extremely proud of their hard work and look forward to seeing them become the independent young adult they are striving to be.

Share your life motto or something unique about yourself.

From the writings of bell hooks : “Love is a combination of care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect, and trust” and “Love is an action, never simply a feeling.”