Making a Career Change
Carol Goldman says that she never expected to work in the mental health field. Yet she recently celebrated her eighth anniversary on the Vinfen staff. As a residential counselor, she uses the skills developed in her previous jobs, as well as the creativity that has always been her hallmark. Helping people with mental illness learn to live in the community presents real challenges each day, and Carol uses the full range of her talents while working directly with people with dual disorders, their families, friends, and neighbors. Carol gets enormous support and encouragement not only from Vinfen colleagues, but also from the people with whom she works, and she welcomes the challenges in the psychiatric rehabilitation field.
When she was in her 20s, Carol wanted to be a teacher. She graduated from Wellesley College, where she majored in English, and then went on to receive a M.A. degree in Education from Harvard, where she trained to be a high school English teacher. After college, Goldman worked in educational research and curriculum development. She married and raised two children. As funds in education shrank, she worked as an administrative assistant for several non-profit groups. Her responsibilities ran the gamut from vacation travel to time management to promotional jigsaw puzzles.
Carol also pursued artistic endeavors, including the exhibition of her vibrant abstract acrylic paintings. She trained as an interactive storyteller for adults and children. Goldman performed her dramatic first-person adaptations of biblical stories throughout New England. She also wrote articles and gave talks on her personal and spiritual journey.
After artistic freelancing, Carol looked for more permanent employment—preferring to work with an employer with good benefits. After reading a Vinfen ad in a local newspaper, she applied for a job. She began working for Vinfen in 1995 as a direct care worker in a community residence for people with dual disorders. Carol received new employee training, as well as training in medication administration, first aid, and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation—all of which took place at Vinfen U., Vinfen’s Training and Development Center in Somerville. Carol also received training and supervision at her job site, helping her to build confidence in her ability to work with people.
As Carol’s abilities quickly grew, so did her responsibilities. In 1996, her residential program selected her as Employee of the Year. Shortly thereafter, Carol accepted a promotion to her current position of Employment Liaison. In this innovative role, Carol pays regular visits to all of the people in a cluster of residences for clients with dual disorders. Initially, she listens to people’s experiences and helps them to see their story in a new light. As she gains their trust, she encourages them to explore their options for employment, education, leisure, and recreational activities. Carol then links residents with appropriate community resources and services.
This past January, the Continuing Care Service of the Massachusetts Mental Health Center honored Carol as their Employee of the Month. The award recognizes “a person who exemplifies the aim of the Continuing Care Service: to help people live in the community with independence, dignity, and hope.” Carol was also cited as being a person “who has proved to be an exceptional employee who works with residents to help them explore and engage in meaningful activities and work of their choosing. She works with great vigor—both in body and in spirit. Carol demonstrates daily what it means to help others, and she does it with a radiant smile, an amusing story, and an unwavering willingness to make their lives better through her work.”
Goldman’s work with people with dual disorders doesn’t stop after she links them to opportunities in the community. She also guides them as they adjust their work and activity schedules. For people who are moving into employment, Carol helps them to focus on the skills needed for workplace problem-solving and assists them to find paid employment. For people who want to increase their community involvement, Carol consults with the staff at their residence, their clinicians, and their providers to ensure maximum support.
Although there are struggles and disappointments, Carol finds positive threads. She appreciates the resilience and strengths of the people with whom she works. One resident described a childhood dream of playing the piano. Responding to his excitement about reclaiming his love of music, Carol arranged a meeting with a piano instructor at a local adult education center. When the person expressed the desire to have regular piano instruction, Carol helped him to obtain a disability scholarship. The resident faithfully attended class sessions, and the instructor found him a keyboard so that he could practice at home.
Another resident who worked at a coffee shop told Goldman that his work environment made him uncomfortable. Carol helped him to assess the situation, and when things didn’t change, she encouraged him to use his supports to change directions. The resident is now studying for a fashion degree and working as an usher at Symphony Hall.
Goldman recently conducted an eight-month “Work Readiness” group at Vinfen’s Dorchester Bay Recovery Center. The group examined the benefits and barriers involved in paid employment, identified the skills they needed, and designed plans for achieving their goals. Using Vinfen’s Training and Development Center and other resources provided by Vinfen, Carol completed courses that will increase her professional competence and establish a contact network. She views continuing education and training as integral parts of her job.
Carol’s commitment to improve services for people with co-occurring serious and persistent mental illness and substance abuse disorders inspired her to join the state-wide Community Consensus-Building Collaborative. Regional work groups of the Collaborative are developing pilot projects throughout Massachusetts that will offer a continuum of integrated care. Carol is a member of the state Curriculum Training Committee sponsored by the Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. For the past two years, Carol has worked with the Committee to organize annual conferences on “best practices” with people with co-occurring disorders. As a member of Vinfen’s Dual-Diagnosis Task Force, Carol offers updates on these state-wide efforts.
After learning that Vinfen was a member of the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation (IAPSRS), Carol attended a meeting of the New England Chapter where she met people involved in all aspects of community rehabilitation. She participated in two recent IAPSRS conferences in Minnesota and Florida and delivered a paper on “Traversing the Bridges of Recovery: What About My Soul?” Her ideas stimulated animated dialogue on the role of spirituality and religion in rehabilitation. Goldman also enjoys staff training. She teaches “Recovery and Empowerment” classes for new Vinfen employees, and in the fall of 1999, she co-facilitated a “Discussion of Spirituality and Rehabilitation” at Vinfen U.
Carol Goldman has an endless supply of energy and enthusiasm. Asked about her future, Carol replies, “My career has expanded as part of an organic process. I am committed to strengthening community-based recovery services and resources. I feel that my contributions have made a difference in improving a part of our mental illness recovery system. I look forward to using my training and skills to seek out and develop new opportunities in the field."
