Whether you already have a kid in treatment at Ascend or you’re just trying to figure out whether it’s the right place for you, our team strives to ensure transparency and keep parents informed. Are you wondering what goes on behind the scenes at our Culver PHP/IOP facility? We have answers in the form of a staff spotlight with the Clinical Director of the program! Read on to learn more about what Director Amy does to keep Culver running smoothly today.
Who Is Amy?
Amy is the Clinical Director at our Culver treatment center for teens. This outpatient facility focuses on providing continuing care for teens of all genders who need additional guidance after residential treatment. Amy ensures that teens who require a non-residential clinical program as they’re transitioning back to their home environment get more attention than they would with lower levels of care, like weekly visits to a therapist.
How She Got Her Start
Amy was inspired to get into psychology and clinical care in college. She was reading a psychology 101 textbook in her freshman year and it made sense to her. Her family made more sense and so did she. She continued to explore psychology as an undergraduate at the University of Arizona , then furthered her education seeking a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University.
After graduating, she worked with a Child and Family Services center that focused on helping at-risk youth and families in the Los Angeles area. She worked there for 26 years while simultaneously running a private practice.
Why Ascend Is The Perfect Fit
Amy loves Ascend because she gets to collaborate with amazing people to provide a high level of care for the next generation. She believes that she’s so fortunate to work with caring, insightful, and authentic people who collectively create a space where all our clients feel safe and respected.
She also loves the freedom she has to improve and enhance our program offerings. From adding new experiential therapy groups to exploring cutting-edge trauma-informed clinical treatment models, Ascend’s leadership finds her insight into what the clients need invaluable.
In fact, Amy is hoping to start a Peer Mentor program with alumni clients pairing up with current clients. While we already have a legacy program, Peer Mentoring would offer something a little more hands-on to connect previous and new clients, encouraging them to share their experiences and support each other even more.
Why We Love Amy
In addition to her on-the-ground knowledge of what the teens at Culver need, Amy has also helped build our team with other extraordinary staff members. Amy has worked with these people for many years, and we’re so lucky that she was able to bring them aboard to help all our facilities thrive.
Amy Is Here to Help
Whether it’s a hiccup with insurance authorizations or a special dietary need, Amy and her team are on top of it! They work hard to stay informed of special client requirements and advocate for them as much as possible with insurance providers, medical providers, and all partner organizations.
Amy feels that it’s due to the hard work of the entire Culver team that she’s been so fortunate to watch as clients and their families take tremendous strides forward in their mental health care, strengthening the entire family system. She’s continually motivated by their courage, vulnerability, and trust in her and her team. Amy is inspired by Culver’s treatment community and believes that the clients’ support and respect for each other is an integral part of the therapy. Our clients feel safe and regarded and seen and heard by peers and staff
The Future at Ascend
There are no typical days for Amy at Ascend, but she approaches every day with courage, acceptance, and a willingness to work hard. She’s in touch with almost every program and department at Ascend, empowering others, finding more effective strategies for treatment, and learning as much as possible to ensure we can offer the best programs at every facility.
Learn More About Us
Did you enjoy this inside look at one of our directors? Are you interested in some of the other positions at Ascend? Our blog has the answers!
Check out other spotlights that explore the everyday responsibilities of mentors, nurses, educators, and so much more. And if you check back often, you’ll see new spotlights added every month that highlight other essential roles on our team. Visit the blog today for more inside insights, mental health guidance, and educational graphics that can help enhance anyone’s mental health.
