Why I do what I do – Cassie Parker, Adult Services Therapist

I believe that change is possible because I’ve experienced it myself, and I enjoy being a therapist because it allows me to be a part of the changes my clients create for themselves.

When I was 26 years old, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was an extremely overwhelming experience and I was hit with many changes at a rapid pace. As I went through treatment, anxiety and depression became more overwhelming for me. I also experienced medical trauma, feared the unknown associated with my health, and was feeling down about the impact of treatment on my daily life. While receiving treatment at LMH, I met with a social worker who helped me make sense of what was going on. I also started to see a counselor and take medications to help me manage my depression and anxiety more effectively. The cloud started to lift, and I started noticing feeling more hopeful about my health and my life. I felt like no matter what would come next, I had the resources I needed to cope. It was this experience that set me on a path to obtain my social work degree. I experienced first-hand the benefit of utilizing professional support to help me navigate a very tough time in my life and was interested in working in a similar capacity.

Some people seek a social work degree with the intent to become a therapist. This was not the case for me, and I initially planned to become a hospice or medical social worker. It was during my second practicum year when I was a student intern at Bert Nash that I became interested in becoming a therapist. I learned so much and grew to appreciate the profession and the work Bert Nash does for the community.

As a therapist, I meet with people and hear their stories, sometimes it is the first time another person has taken the time to listen. I hear their challenges, hopes, dreams, and we work together to find a way through it all. I walk alongside people as they reach goals, navigate struggles, and develop a more balanced and flexible relationship with their lives. Being part of someone’s recovery process is one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had, and I’m grateful that my path led me here.