One day, I decided to seek help from a therapist and coach who specialized in helping therapists like me overcome burnout and compassion fatigue. It was a difficult decision, but I knew that I needed to do something to change my situation. Working with the therapist and coach was a turning point for me.

They helped me recognize my potential and pushed me past the fear of leaving my job and starting my own private practice. Through our work together, I learned how to set boundaries, prioritize self-care, and focus on my own well-being. I also learned how to recognize and address the underlying issues that were causing my burnout and compassion fatigue.

I realized that I had been putting so much pressure on myself to be perfect and do everything right that I had forgotten why I had entered the field of behavioral health counseling in the first place. With the help of my therapist and coach, I was able to take the leap and start my own private practice.

It was a scary and uncertain time, but I felt more confident and prepared than ever before. I am excited about this new chapter in my life and I am excited to help my clients with the same passion I had when I first entered the field.Thanks to the help of my therapist and coach, I was able to overcome burnout, and compassion fatigue, and achieve a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment in my work.

I became a social worker because of my personal experiences growing up in poverty and in the inner city during the height of the drug pandemic. As a child, I saw firsthand the devastating effects of poverty and addiction on families and communities.

I also faced my own struggles, such as growing up without access to a car, which made it difficult for me to access resources and services. These experiences made me realize the importance of having a support system and access to resources, and it motivated me to pursue a career in social work.

I wanted to help individuals and families in similar situations to have the support and resources they needed to improve their lives. I wanted to make a difference in the community and provide hope for those who may have felt hopeless.
I decided to pursue a degree in social work at the University at Buffalo and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

The program provided me with a comprehensive education in the field of social work and I was particularly interested in the focus on substance use and mental health. I took various courses that covered different aspects of substance use and mental health, and also had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through fieldwork placements. The program prepared me well to work in a variety of settings, including community agencies.

After I graduated, I got a job at a community agency that focused on providing services and support to individuals and families affected by substance use and mental health issues. I have been working there for 8 years now and it has been a rewarding experience. I have been able to apply the skills and knowledge I gained in school to help individuals and families in need. The experience I have gained over these 8 years has been invaluable in my career.

I have a deeper understanding of the issues that individuals and families face and how to best support them. Community agencies play a vital role in providing services and support to individuals and families in need, and I am proud to have been a part of one for so long.