How long have you been with Seneca?
I have been with Seneca for almost 5 years now. I started in July 2021.

What led you to your current position?
I ask myself this question every single day, which I’m sure is relatable to every clinician trying to make a living in the bay area within a capitalist society. But if I step out of the existential questioning of being a hamster (clinician) on a wheel (broken systems), it’s because I deeply value community and preventative care.

What inspires you to do this work?
Schools are one of the first feelings of community that a child will hopefully feel. Having a space where a student can land and be their authentic self is a really cool thing to witness. It’s also one of their first experiences with systems, providing ample opportunities to encourage self-advocacy, identify supports, and question the boxes they are often put into with how these systems over pathologize kids. I’m also really inspired by the team of the family unit, school staff, and other clinicians within my trUE SF program. Couldn’t do the work without having people to lean on and learn from.

What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role?
A lesson I’ve learned is the importance of transparency and humor in the work that we do. There’s no point in sugar coating the devastating realities of life and sometimes the only thing that can relieve the pressure of those stressors is humor with one another, a little micro-dose of dopamine here and there through laughter can 180 the day.

Share your life motto or something unique about yourself.
Very much live by the Maya Angelou quote of “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”, so make them feel comfortable because life is uncomfortable enough.