New Yorkers in Behavioral Health — Dan: Program Director at an arts non-profit

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Tell us about your career path. How did you start out and what steps did you take to grow and advance in your profession?

I took an interest in psychology in my senior year in high school and chose to pursue it in college. I studied Psychology first at Loyola University in New Orleans and then for two years at a university in Florida. After graduating with my bachelor’s, I worked as a Case Manager making home visits and coordinating services for low-income families. In this role, I also made school visits, and worked towards helping youth navigate their home issues that affected their grades and attendance. I recall meeting a young man in an underserved and challenging neighborhood who stated he had an interest in poetry. This was before the internet, so I went to the library and found poems by Black poets that spoke about the issues that this young man expressed. In my next home visits, I gave him the packet of poems.

After 5 years in this role, I transitioned to a new job, working as a group leader for mostly immigrant adults. I then moved to Brooklyn and worked for two years at a foster care agency. Wanting to further my education and create more opportunities for advancing my career, I chose to return to school and enrolled in the Silberman School of Social Work to obtain my MSW. After graduating, I was hired in a supervisory position for homeless outreach work taking place at the Port Authority. I was then promoted to a Director of Social Service as a Safe Haven shelter in Midtown, Manhattan. For 7 years I helped run this shelter.

For the last two years, I have worked at a wonderful arts-focused nonprofit that engages youth from historically marginalized communities. I’m an artist myself, and for the last 20 years or so, I have made art on lunch breaks, between home visits, and at home. Working now as the Director of Programs and Impact is a great opportunity to merge the scientific benefits of making art, and finding meaning and aspiration in life, with mental health. I continue to paint and photograph and appreciate exhibiting my work. At work, I utilize my experience in making art to communicate to the young people involved in our programming. There are tremendous benefits in being engaged and caring for the expression of our humanity. In making art one can practice accepting change and even making beauty out of the unknown.

Were there any obstacles, unexpected circumstances, or hardships you had to navigate while pursuing your education and career goals? How did you handle these challenges?

Yes, there were obstacles in my career journey. For example, working at a shelter can be very challenging, stressful, and concerning. However, I would not take the experience back — it provided a lot of insight and ignited a lot of compassion and understanding.

What contributed to your success in creating a meaningful career?

As a youth, I went to a Jesuit school where the motto was “Men for others.” I took that to heart as a young person and it’s translated into the career I’ve chosen to pursue.

Are there any education, training, or career goals you are still pursuing?

While working at the shelter, we were provided a year long training with an original practitioner of Motivational Interviewing. This training has been invaluable. Another great learning experience was attaining the Albert Ellis Institute during my social work program. Seeing cognitive behavioral therapy done by experienced therapist started my interest in learning about common cognitive distortions. I continue to pursue ongoing training and learning opportunities to deepen my knowledge and skillset.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey as a behavioral health professional?

After so many years working with others I have found that people need to feel heard, understood, in a nonjudgmental way. We all want to feel like we are loved.