Episode 4: Interview with Benjamin Valdez (Part I)

In this episode, we speak with Alyssa Tran, an occupational therapy doctorate student at Chatham University. Alyssa discusses how her own experience with depression shaped her career goals and how occupational therapy can support people seeking behavioral health treatment.

In this episode, we connect with Kimberly Sewell, a graduate student currently pursuing their Master of Social Work at Delaware State University through their online program. Kimberly discusses how their experiences prior to starting their Masters and during the program shaped what they hope to do in the future.

In this episode, we connect with Elijah Muhammad Jean, pursuing a Master's in Social Work from Touro College in New York City. Elijah is in the final year of his program and discusses the experiences that led to choosing this profession and his hopes for the future. 

In this episode, we connect with Manpreet Mann, a Nurse Practitioner pursuing a post-master's Advanced Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health. Manpreet discusses her experiences in COVID leading to her mental health work, her passion for telehealth, and the benefits of the IDEATE Fellowship that led her to discover BHE-TAC.

In this episode, we connect with Bobbie Deo, a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) and Certified Family Recovery Specialist. Bobbie discusses her training, her work, and her journey as a person with lived experience who took part in the Pro-Acts Supporting Youth Recovery CRS Training. Bobbie also shares her advice and her hopes for the future both for herself and for the field.

In this episode, we connect with Dana Romero who is receiving her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, specializing in clinical rehabilitation counseling at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We discuss her path into behavioral health as a first-generation college student and her aspirations for the future. Dana also shares her experience and advice on presenting at conferences and moving through counseling programs as a student.

In this episode, we connect with Crystal Charkowski who is receiving her Masters of Social Work from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health. We discuss her journey into behavioral health, her hopes for the future, and her advice to students in the field.

In this episode, we reconnect with Benjamin Valdez, a University of Southern California MSW alum. We discuss the Service Learning Program at Keck School of Medicine and his experience as a first-generation college student and as a BIPOC male in behavioral health, and culturally-driven treatment models.

In this episode (part one of a two-part series) we sat down with Benjamin Valdez, who recently graduated with Masters of Social Work from the University of Southern California. In this first episode, we connect with Benjamin on his career journey and get his perspective on the behavioral health field with advice for students, recent graduates, and those working with students. 

In this episode, we sat down with Slayton Goodman, who recently graduated with a Masters of Social Work. We get his thoughts on the behavioral health field and his advice for students, recent graduates, and those working with students.