One of the largest ways in which the job of a therapist stands out from other professions is in its need for personal growth and self-awareness to be effective. By the nature of the profession, practitioners must have a strong understanding of themselves and others in order to do their best work. Because of this, a therapist’s life experiences outside of clinical and academic can often have an outsized impact on their work. A prime example of how such experiences can strengthen one’s clinical work is the Training Institute’s former Director of Development and therapist, Peace Sullivan. Ms. Sullivan did not begin her career in the field of mental health but drew from her life and professional experiences in other realms to make both herself and those she helped train at TI stronger therapists.
With the Covid Vaccine now available to qualifying individuals, including those in the health care profession who are considered front-line essential workers, many TI therapists, directors and graduates are taking the opportunity to do their part to help build self protection from the virus and to help stop its spread.
That said, we would like to share two personal stories from the TI “family” who have recently received the vaccine. We hope their sharing, including doubts, concerns, success and relief, will be interesting and information to others in the field and beyond who are considering (or will soon be) taking the vaccine.
As a member of the Training Institute’s board of directors for over 20 years, Stephen O’Connell has been deeply involved with the organization through its many recent accomplishments as well as challenging times. Through this work and his assistance to TI in his primary field of real estate law, Mr. O’Connell has helped ensure the Institute’s continued growth in an increasingly uncertain world. I recently spoke with Mr. O’Connell over the phone to discuss his views on the Training Institute’s past, present, and future.
We are thrilled to announce the name and mission of our newest center!
The Coalition for Social Justice at TIMH is a committee of both staff and candidates who are committed to inviting, holding and expanding the conversations and considerations of how injustice impacts our community and psychoanalytic work. We aim to provide opportunities to educate and explore how our commitment to social justice, anti-racism, and diversity is of vital importance in the field of mental health.