Medication Assisted Treatment / Office Based Opioid Treatment

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based approach that combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to support recovery from opioid and alcohol use disorders. MAT helps reduce cravings, prevent withdrawal symptoms, and lower the risk of relapse, allowing individuals to focus on rebuilding their health and daily lives. By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, MAT improves treatment outcomes and supports long-term recovery.

The Starfish Story

 

An old man was walking on the beach one morning after a storm. In the distance he could see someone moving like a dancer. 

As he came closer he saw that it was a young woman picking up starfish and gently throwing them into the ocean.

"Young lady, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"

"The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I do not throw them in they will die," she said.

"But young lady, do you not realize that there are many miles of beach and thousands of starfish? You cannot possibly make a difference."

The you woman listened politely, then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea.

"It made a difference for that one."

Adapted from the original by Loren Eisely

Photo by Pedro Lastra on Unsplash

Nature & Mental Health

Summer in Eastern Idaho is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering breathtaking scenery and a wealth of activities. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, nature provides an escape that refreshes the mind and body. Beyond the thrill of exploration, time spent outdoors has profound mental health benefits, helping to reduce stress, elevate mood, and enhance cognitive function.

Spending time in nature helps regulate stress hormones, calm the nervous system, and lower anxiety levels. Even a five-minute interaction with nature can have an immediate soothing effect. Activities such as hiking, camping, or simply being present outdoors encourage mindfulness, allowing you to disconnect from daily pressures and focus on the present moment.

For those struggling with mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or ADHD, nature-based therapy and immersion in natural spaces can serve as powerful coping tools. Walking through green landscapes, listening to the sounds of a river, or gazing at the stars can ease emotional strain, offering clarity and mental restoration.

Spending time in nature is more than just an activity for me—it’s where I feel most alive, where I thrive, and where I heal. Whether I’m standing at the edge of a breathtaking waterfall, watching the sun set behind the Teton Valley, or simply feeling the cool breeze during a quiet moment outdoors, I find a sense of peace that nothing else quite offers.

One of the ways I feel most connected to nature is through gardening. There’s something deeply fulfilling about tending to plants, watching them grow, and nurturing life with my own hands. Digging into the earth, feeling the soil, and witnessing flowers bloom or vegetables thrive brings a sense of calm and accomplishment. The simple act of gardening not only grounds me but also reminds me of the beauty of patience and care.

Beyond gardening, Idaho’s natural beauty resets my mind. Whether hiking rugged trails, dipping my toes into a cool river, or gazing at a vast star-filled sky, every experience in nature brings joy and clarity. It's not just a place to explore—it’s where I reconnect with myself, where I find energy, inspiration, and healing as well as building connections with my family.

Eastern Idaho’s incredible landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for these benefits, with affordable outdoor activities that let you experience nature without breaking the bank:

• Hiking in the Teton Valley – Free-access trails with stunning mountain views.
• Exploring waterfalls – Visit Mesa Falls, a breathtaking natural wonder.
• Floating the Teton River – A relaxing way to enjoy the water, especially if you have your own gear.
• Camping in public lands – Affordable spots for a night under the stars.
• Wildlife watching – Observe diverse animals in their natural habitat at no cost.
• Stargazing – Low light pollution makes Idaho’s skies perfect for celestial viewing.
• Visiting the Idaho Falls River Walk – A peaceful path along the Snake River.
• Exploring the St. Anthony Sand Dunes – Ideal for photography and quiet reflection.

Nature asks for nothing yet gives so much. Whether it's the thrill of a new adventure or the tranquility of a quiet moment, embracing the outdoors in Eastern Idaho can be a powerful way to reset your mind, body, and spirit.

Which of these experiences would you love to try this summer?

Sara Hiatt, LCSW

Photo by Andrei Tanase @ Pexels.com

Self-Care for Mental Health Professionals: A Vital Practice, Not a Luxury

As mental health professionals, we spend our days holding space for others—listening deeply, offering empathy, and navigating trauma, crisis, and emotional pain. It's meaningful work. It's human work. And it can be deeply exhausting.

So, let’s say it clearly: Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s survival.
And for those of us in the helping professions, it’s a professional responsibility.

Why Self-Care Matters in the Helping Professions

Burnout and compassion fatigue are not signs of weakness—they’re occupational hazards. We’re often so focused on our clients’ needs that we minimize our own. But we can’t pour from an empty cup. Self-care isn’t something to squeeze in at the end of the day; it’s something to build into our daily rhythm.

Regular self-care protects our clinical effectiveness, emotional balance, and ethical practice. It's not a reward—it’s a requirement.

Core Areas of Self-Care for Mental Health Workers

Here are five essential domains of self-care, with examples specific to those in our field:

1. Physical Self-Care
• Take breaks between sessions to stretch or breathe.
• Eat lunch away from your screen.
• Hydrate throughout the day.
• Don’t skip your own doctor’s appointments.
2. Emotional Self-Care
• Debrief with trusted colleagues or supervisors.
• Journal or process tough sessions.
• Name and normalize your own emotional reactions.
• Say “no” when you need to protect your energy.
3. Mental Self-Care
• Give your brain a break: read fiction, do puzzles, listen to music.
• Take intentional time away from clinical work and theory.
• Be mindful of secondary trauma and vicarious stress.
4. Social Self-Care
• Connect with people outside of the mental health world.
• Cultivate relationships that don’t involve “fixing” anyone.
• Schedule meaningful time with those who nourish you.
5. Spiritual Self-Care
• Reflect on your values and why you do this work.
• Practice mindfulness, prayer, or gratitude rituals.
• Get out in nature, unplug, and ground yourself.

Practical Ways to Build Self-Care into a Demanding Schedule

• Add short "recovery rituals" between sessions (deep breathing, music, stepping outside).
• Set boundaries around after-hours availability—your time off is sacred.
• Use your PTO. Rest is a form of resistance against burnout culture.
• Find or create a support group for clinicians.

Final Thoughts

You are not a machine. You are a human being doing heart-centered work. Taking care of yourself doesn’t just make you a better therapist, counselor, social worker, or case manager—it helps you stay connected to the why behind what you do.

So please—tend to yourself with the same compassion you offer to your clients.

You are worth that same care.

Travis Bell, LMSW

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich at Pexels.com

"Just Breath, You Got this!"

Having a bad day, maybe even a bad week, or month, or year. Life is often compared to a roller coaster, a ride full of ups, down, twists and loops. Whether you are currently struggling with issues related to financial, relationship, work or school stress, physical or mental health challenges, grief or loss, or none of the above; you have most likely experienced them at some point in your life. Even positive events such as marriage, new job or career, and or retirement can cause stress. Someone once told me that life is the best teacher, giving you the test first then the lesson. No one is exempt from life challenges. When these challenges hit us, they often throw us off our game. We start to struggle with our emotions, increasing in intensity, are often uncomfortable, and cause us to react in ways that aren’t effective. Then that one person comes up to you and says, “just breath, you got this.” Sometimes just hearing this can send our blood to boil (figuratively). However, there is scientific evidence that backs this up. That is what I will share with you today, how breathing and positive affirmations can help us regulate our emotions and improve our response to life challenges.

Biologically humans are built for survival. We wouldn’t be here today if our ancestors didn’t survive some of the toughest challenges such as starvation, weather conditions, and large predators back when we lived in caves. In order for us to survive, humans were created with an automatic nervous system, a network of nerves that controls involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion. There are two parts to the automatic nervous system, the sympathetic and parasympathetic. The sympathetic is responsible for our “fight or flight” response, it prepares our body for physical activity. The parasympathetic is responsible for our “rest and digest” response, assisting us in relaxation and recovery. These two parts of the automatic nervous system work independently and in opposition of each other, they can’t work simultaneously.

When the sympathetic nervous system is operating, you will experience increased heart rate and breathing, increase blood pressure, slower digestion, and heightened senses, feeling the need to escape or defend. Someone coming around a blind corner that startles you, when a fire/smoke alarm goes off, or when an animal crosses your path while driving are just a few examples. When the parasympathetic nervous system is operating, you will experience slower heart rate and breathing, lower blood pressure, and an increase in digestion, feeling calmer and more relaxed. Our body is conserving energy. That feeling after eating thanksgiving dinner comes to mind. Factors that adversely impact the parasympathetic are anxious thoughts (perceived or imagined threats vs real physical threats), stress, sleep deprivation, food sensitives and trauma. Activities that activate the parasympathetic are deep breathing, spending time in nature, meditation, massage, yoga, tai chi, and playing with pets or children. Breathing is one thing that humans can do both voluntarily and involuntarily. In conclusion, taking deep breaths sends signals to your brain that you are safe by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Once the parasympathetic is operating the sympathetic nervous system is disengaged, thus helping you to regulate your emotions more effectively. Just breath, you got this.

Now that we understand how breathing helps us. How do positive affirmations help improve our lives during challenging times? The power of thoughts. Henry Ford made the statement, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, your right.” This powerful statement gives us a glimpse into the power of thought and mindset. Understanding how our thoughts/beliefs can shape our reality and have a profound effect on our actions, ultimately our outcomes. Shawn Achor, a psychologist who studies and advocates for positive psychology, states that they are finding it’s, “not necessarily the reality that shapes us, but the lens through which our brain views the world shapes our reality.” Positive affirmations challenge our negative thinking, promoting our self-perceptions and developing a confident self-esteem. Basically, you are rewiring your brain to foster more positive thought patterns. By creating new neural pathways in the brain, you are teaching yourself to see life more optimistically. This includes when life challenges you.

The more you practice positive affirmations, the more that new neural pathway is used, the more likely it will stick. When your start believing what you are saying, the more likely you are to act in ways that align with those beliefs, leading to positive changes in behavior and outcomes. Making your mind your friend, you can shape your reality towards positivity. Self-fulfilling prophecy comes to mind. Here is a short story on the power of thoughts and human potential. In 1945 a Swedish runner, Gunder Hägg, set the record for the mile in a time of 4:01.4. Many other runners attempted and failed to break this record. People started to believe it couldn’t be done. Almost 10 years had passed when Roger Bannister, a British medical student and runner, broke the record on May 6th, 1954 with a time of 3:59.4. What people called a miraculous achievement. The next person to break the four-minute mile was an Australian runner John Landy with a time of 3:57.9, rounded up due to rules of the time, to 3:58. This happened on June 21, 1954, only 46 days after Roger Bannister. The two faced off in August of that same year and in what is now known as the miracle mile, where Bannister won by less than a second. Landy had been leading the entire rice, in the last stretch he glanced over his shoulder to see where Bannister was and in that instant Bannister passed him to victory. Both achieving the feet of running the mile under 4 minutes. When people believed the mile could not be run under 4 minutes, no one achieved it. However, something that was once deemed impossible, now became possible.

Erica Finney, LCSW

Photo by Vlada Karpovich at Pexels.com

Employee Spotlight

Brooke Redwine

What is your Job Title/Role at RHS? 

Addiction and Trauma Receptionist

·    How did you come into the Mental Health Field? 

In 2017 I started going to counseling and it opened my eyes. It made me want to help/be there for others who were going through similar things in life and to broaden my horizons.

·       Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

My past boss, Megan.

·       How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

It is important to me to work with our Southeast Idaho community because this is where I have lived my whole life. So the people in this community matter to me.

·       What is something someone might not know about you?

I have two cats that are my world. Kenzie (10) and Anastasia (2).

·       What are some of your interests/hobbies? 

High fitness, Zumba, watching tv, hanging out with my nieces and nephews and listening to audio books.

·       What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field? 

Be open minded, kind hearted and understanding. You never know what others are going through so always be caring and a bright part of their day. 

Employee Spotlight

Michelyn Devine

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS?

Psychologist – Clinical Director, Psychological Testing Center

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?

Wanting to help people – Human beings are fascinating, each one unique yet there are overarching themes and patterns.

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

A child therapist I knew growing up

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

Very important – people in need are everywhere – life brings challenges throughout our development and none of us “can do” life alone.

What is something someone might not know about you?

I am an identical twin

What are some of your interests/hobbies?

Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, knitting, movies

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?

It’s ok to make mistakes, experience is the greatest teacher and there are no shortcuts for it!

Experiencing the Holiday Blues

This time of year can bring lots of different kinds of emotions.  Some of those emotions include happiness, excitement, and joy, but the holidays can also be stressful. Shopping, social events, debt, and other pressures can lead to anxiety. Missing loved ones and stewing about past events can also contribute to feelings of sadness and depression. The change from your everyday routine can cause you to neglect good nutrition and you are more likely to skip exercise. These, and other factors, can lead us to experience what is referred to as the holiday blues.

The holiday blues are defined as temporary feelings of anxiety, depression, sadness, loneliness, and other negative emotions. Many individuals with already diagnosed mental illnesses are affected by the holiday blues as their normal symptoms worsen during this time of year, but even those without regularly occurring mental health challenges can experience the holiday blues. While they sometimes can’t be avoided, there are some skills that we can implement to make things a little bit easier on us.  Here are some tips to help you with them:

• Talk to someone: Reach out to a friend or family member, or consider therapy if you're already in it. 
• Take a break: Set realistic goals and expectations, and don't overextend yourself. 
• Get outside: Go for a walk in the morning or evening to get some fresh air and sunlight. 
• Practice mindfulness: Try meditation or other mindfulness techniques. 
• Limit alcohol: Excessive drinking can make you feel worse. 
• Volunteer: Helping others can improve your mood. 
• Be kind to yourself: It's okay to feel sad or lost during the holidays. 
• Celebrate differently: Try to celebrate in a new way, or focus on what's meaningful to you. 
• Stick to your routine: Try to maintain your normal routine as much as possible. 
• Set a budget: Set a realistic budget and stick to it. 
• Find time for yourself: Make time for yourself every day. 
• Avoid toxic people: Don't spend time with people who add to your stress.

Remember that the holiday blues are short-term.  While many of us experience them, they will pass and you will start to notice increased energy, motivation, and desire to go back to regular routines.  Be patient with yourself and if don’t you notice a change in your mood state after the holidays have passed, talk to a trusted friend and seek help as needed.  

Megann Wilkerson, LCSW

Photo by cottonbro studio at Pexels.com

Grief

Grief has normally been defined as the loss of a living thing. When people say grief, we think of a definitive loss where that has been some type of physical death. However, grief is much more complex than a physical death. Grief is whenever there is a change of any familiar pattern, whether it be environmental, time, or relationships.

Grief can be defined as the loss of any hopes, dreams, or expectations we may have during the present time or what we expected in the future. If you are someone who has been struggling with a feeling of any type of loss, you are most likely experiencing grief. Your experiences are valid and important, and there is no need to compare them with someone else’s experiences.

Itzel Labra, LCSW

Photo by RDNE Stock project: at Pexels.com

Emotional Regulation

Emotions are a normal part of everyday life. We feel frustrated when we’re running late for work. We feel sad when we are disappointed by others. We can get angry when we don’t get our way or someone does something to hurt us. While we can expect to experience some variety of these emotions regularly, some people start to encounter emotions that are more extreme. They feel higher highs and lower lows, and these peaks and valleys begin to impact their lives. Individuals who experience intense emotions may find themselves calm one moment and then sad or angry the next. In certain situations we have to turn to emotional regulation to be able to control these intense stronger feelings that start to surface.

Emotion regulation is the ability to exert control over one’s own emotional state.  People unconsciously use emotional regulation strategies to cope with difficult situations many times throughout the day.  This may involve behaviors such as rethinking a challenging situation to reduce anger or anxiety, hiding visible signs of sadness or fear, or focusing on reasons to feel happy or calm.  Most of us use a variety of emotion regulation strategies and are able to apply them to different situations in order to adapt to the demands of our environment. 

However, there are times when it is difficult to respond in a way that is appropriate and there is a loss of control over those emotions.  We see emotional dysregulation in children in the form of ‘temper tantrums,’ episodes of crying for seemingly insignificant reasons and required redirection from parents when they are unable to focus enough to calm down on their own. It is common for a parent to have to step in and teach emotional regulation through modeling and encouragement. However, unlike small children, adults are expected to be able to manage their emotions, especially strong emotions such as anxiety and anger, in a manner that is socially acceptable. When emotional control fails, people often say or do things they later regret and wish they had been able to keep their emotions in check. When unaddressed, over time, it could have a negative impact on one’s personal well-being and social relationships.

Seeking help from others in the form of therapy is a valuable way to learn to regulate your emotions.  There are multiple therapeutic approaches that teach skills that are practical, simple and easy to implement.  However, if unable to participate in therapy services, the following is a list of several skills and tools that can be used to help us regulate and even learn to master our emotions:

1. Learn to ‘create space’ for your emotion:  Emotions happen fast and sometime we can’t anticipate our responses to them.  When we suddenly feel overwhelmed a good habit to get into is to pause, take a breath, observe what it going on around us and as much as possible, slow down the moment between the trigger we encountered and our response to it.

2. Try to notice what you are feeling: Our physical symptoms usually teach us what we are experiencing emotionally.  Inquiring into what is happening to us physically can also distract our immediate focus in the moment and allow some of the intensity of the emotion to go away. Tune in to yourself and consider: in what parts of your body are you noticing sensations? Is your stomach upset? Is your heart racing? Do you feel tension in your neck or head?

3. Take Care of Your Physical Needs: Getting a good night’s rest, eating healthfully, and exercising your body are all essential to being able to feel satisfaction in life. We’ve all noticed how much better we can feel after having a good night of restful sleep or after eating a diet of healthy foods. It can be as though we have an entirely fresh perspective on life and it is much easier to overlook the little things that might have annoyed or upset us otherwise.

4. Name what you feel: After noticing what you feel, the ability to name it can help you get control of what is happening. Ask yourself: what would you call the emotions you’re feeling? Is it anger, sadness, disappointment, or resentment? What else is it? One strong emotion that often hides beneath others is fear.  It is common to feel multiple emotions at once.  Be curious and comfortable recognizing and naming your emotions to enable you to share them with others.

5. Accept the emotion that you are experiencing: Emotions are a normal and natural part of how we respond to situations. Rather than beating yourself up for feeling angry or scared, recognize that your emotional reactions are valid. Try to practice self-compassion and give yourself grace. Recognize that experiencing emotions is a normal human reaction.

6. Engage in activities that build a sense of achievement: Doing one positive thing every day can lead to a sense of achievement and contentment. We can each benefit from paying more attention to the positive events in our lives. The things that bring us joy have been shown to decrease negative moods and increase positive moods.

7. Changing thoughts is easier than changing feelings: Our thoughts play a significant role in how we experience a situation. When you notice yourself starting to become upset, try to evaluate what you are thinking that is causing that emotion. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What is it that’s really pushing my buttons here?

• Why am I reacting so strongly?

• What’s the worst (or best) that could happen?

• How important will this be tomorrow? Next week? Next month?

Implementing these, and other skills, and taking the time to recognize and use steps to control our emotions will improve relationships with others, build self-confidence and increase our resilience to those day to day interactions that we encounter.  

Megann Wilkerson, LCSW

Photo by Markus Winkler at Pexels.com

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Kristy Goodson

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS? 

Mental Health Therapist  

How did you come into the Mental Health Field? 

I always wanted to work in this field so I sought out and pursued a job in it.  

 

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community? 

I really enjoy working here. I would like to stay in the community for a long time. 

 

What is something someone might not know about you? 

I have the same birthday as Robert Downey Jr.  I have the same birth month and year as Prince Williams. 

 

What are some of your interests/hobbies? 

I like to cross stich, read books, and do crafts. 

 

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field? 

Do not be afraid to ask questions, seek answers and know you do not know it all.  

Self-Compassion

Our culture has taught us to say negative things about ourselves; we are taught to put others first and to measure our value based on what we do rather than who we are. Many of us were taught that giving ourselves the benefit of the doubt is selfish, weak, and will kill motivation. This mindset leads to mental distress and decreased self-worth. Learning self-compassion is arguably one of the biggest changes we can make for our mental health. Kristin Neff, an expert in self-compassion, states that self-compassion is comprised of 3 elements: mindfulness, common humanity, and kindness. 

Mindfulness helps us view ourselves and our circumstances as they are, without judgment; this leads to increased acceptance, less shame, and more compassion towards ourselves. We tend to be more compassionate towards those we love than we do towards ourselves. 

Common humanity can help us recognize that we are human and that it is okay to struggle and make mistakes, allowing us to see ourselves with the compassion we willingly give our loved ones. 

Kindness helps people to keep going when life is hard, to try again, and to believe in one's abilities; kindness towards oneself means becoming our own cheerleader and encouraging ourselves to keep going. 

Self-compassion can feel challenging and awkward because it goes against what we have been taught culturally, but it is important for mental health. Self-compassion doesn't necessarily mean adding something else to our list of things that need to be done; being intentional, non-judgmental, and changing how we word things can have a substantial impact. The difference may be as simple as saying, "I'm tired and am honoring what my body is telling me by resting" instead of saying, "I'm so lazy, I didn't do anything last night." We have worth because we exist, and self-compassion helps us recognize this truth and thus improves mental health.

Rebecca Malan, LMSW

Photo by Engin Akyurt at pexels.com

Neurofeedback

 

Living with Pain

Living with pain can be debilitating at times. Pain is produced by the brain. The way it’s processed overlaps with emotions and when the body is in pain, it releases stress hormones and neurochemicals, making it harder to regulate mood and behavior.

But how does it affect one's mental health? Acute pain can cause emotional distress and anxiety, having a negative impact on the quality of life. When acute pain is not treated effectively, it can lead to chronic pain. Chronic pain can lead to depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Chronic pain can also affect sleep, increase stress, and limit the ability to enjoy life. This leads to feelings of isolation and frustration, leading to depression.

Without the ability to get pain under control, a person’s quality of life is greatly diminished and their mental health can be greatly affected. Psychotherapy and medication can help. There is always hope.

Valerie P’Pool, LCSW

Photo by Keira Burton at pexels.com

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Christy Walstad

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS?

Team Lead for ESMI STAR Program

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?

Discovered my interest when I transferred from a nursing major in college to social work major. 

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

I am motivated to help other people live their lives to the fullest potential, regardless of their circumstances or overall health issues.  I am strongly motivated to help younger generations such as children, adolescents, early adulthood due to the potential to initiate lifelong change that will impact each individual’s potential.

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

I have lived in Idaho Falls since 2001, enjoy the climate being milder than southwestern Montana where I grew up.  I love how friendly the people presented themselves when I arrived and continue to do the present day.  I now consider Idaho Falls my home and want to help others enjoy the area as much as I do.  I want to be able to assist other people access services, resources, and autonomy in southeastern Idaho.

What is something someone might not know about you?

I am an Awana leader for the children at my church.

What are some of your interests / hobbies?

Hiking, camping, swimming, tennis, scrapbooking, baking, and doing crafts.

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?

Be patient with the population and give them a chance to show their true potential.  Always take care of yourself, because it is hard to take care of someone else when you are not taken care of first.

Employee Spotlight

Itzel Labra

What is your Job Title / Role at RHS?

Licensed clinical social worker

How did you come into the Mental Health Field?

I took an introduction to social work class in college and immediately fell in love. This inspired me to double major and go on to get my masters degree in social work.

Who inspired you to pursue this career choice?

Definitely my advisors in college. They would hype me up constantly about my potential, and I didn’t believe them for a long time. But they helped me stay inspired to stay in the career.

How important is it for you to work with our Southeast Idaho Community?

It’s the most important thing for me. Being able to work for Southeast Idaho and seeing it grow and expand into what it is now has been amazing for me. I have loved experiencing how Southeast Idaho has tried so hard to bring mental health awareness to our community.

What is something someone might not know about you?

I am the valedictorian of Silly Goose University.

What are some of your interests / hobbies?

I absolutely love reading, watching scary and superhero movies, going on hikes, and spending time with my friends and family. I love being active with my family, yoga and other exercise.

What is the best advice you would give to someone just coming into this field?

The biggest advice I would give is that you will not go into this field immediately knowing everything and this does not make you inadequate or not enough. We are always learning especially in this field, and that is the most glorious part of the job. If you keep your mind open and accepting to feedback you will grow exponentially in this field not only emotionally but also in your communication.