Carnelia Mental Health: We All Grow Here
Hello everyone, my name is Lydia! I’m a clinical social work therapist intern and the newest face you’ll see at Carnelia Mental Health. It has not taken me long to understand just how lucky I am to be a part of the incredible team that makes up Carnelia, and I want to share a bit about what brought me here and why I love what I do.
I have my BA in General Psychology and have always valued supporting our mental health. During the COVID-19 pandemic I got my first real exposure to the field by working in an ICU of an eating disorder clinic. I was twenty-one years old at the time and surrounded by some incredibly resilient people who continue to inspire my work every day. Fast forward, I moved to Savannah, got accepted into the University of Tennessee Master of Social Work program, and began my work as a therapist intern with my first ever private practice. This is where my understanding of how to make a difference evolved but also cemented my values surrounding ethical client care, unconditional positive regard, and unwavering empathy for our clients. It became the framework for what I knew I wanted to be a part of for my next internship, and why you can find me here now.
My role as a therapist intern at Carnelia is collaborative. When I think about what therapy means to me, I think about the importance of human relationships. Connection and vulnerability are the intertwined concepts that both ground us and inspire us to reach out and seek something better for ourselves. When we enter therapy, we’re enabling action towards exactly that. You’ve maybe heard that every action, imperfect actions included, create momentum and momentum becomes belief. A lot of us just need the tools to believe in ourselves; that we can overcome the small and massive obstacles standing in our way of the life we dream of. My belief is that it’s possible, and sometimes we just need someone to believe first, before we feel ready for the change momentum can bring. I believe in co-learning and the power of trusting therapeutic relationships, representing the core of who I am becoming as a future clinician; one who respects that everyone has something to offer within the therapeutic space.
The therapists at Carnelia made it clear from day one that I am in an environment that emphasizes client care but also the importance of teamwork. This is a unique group, one that aims to grow their understanding of how to better assist every individual that walks through their doors. For me, this has meant feeling their support as I learn and expand. As social workers, we believe everyone has the capacity to grow and that the systems surrounding us play significant roles in how we get there. At Carnelia Mental Health, you are receiving a system that works with you. By strengthening what you already possess and supporting any efforts towards reaching your goals, you’ll find you have it within your power to increase your well-being and lead a meaningful life. Asking for help is a strength that I love to acknowledge with my clients, and everyone should be proud of taking that first step.
I am working towards increasing my skills that can aid in my understanding of how to be an impactful therapist, such as receiving training for Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) to better assist clients with OCD. I currently see individuals (13+) and couples, and have experience with anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, eating disorders and more. I look forward to all that Carnelia Mental Health and my future clients will make me excited to learn more about. I am truly thankful that you (reader) and I have landed here and found our space to grow!
