What is your name and position at Thompson?
My name is AnneLouise O’Brien. I am a licensed clinical social worker and started working at Thompson in 2018 as a
contract therapist. I provided clinical therapy to children at the Thompson Child Development Center (TCDC), participated in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) certification training, and provided PCIT and outpatient therapy for young children and their families. When offices were closed during COVID, I assisted with completing virtual comprehensive clinical assessments (CCAs) for the Therapeutic Outpatient Program and really enjoyed engaging with older children and adolescents. In 2022, I moved to a part-time position for a grant program funded by the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC), and eventually transitioned to a full-time position the following year. The JCPC program consists of a two-person clinical team that provides CCAs and mental health support to court-involved adolescents. JCPC partners with the Meck. County Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program (DJJDP) and we share workspace in their uptown office.
What ‘superpower’ do you bring to this role?
I focus on connecting with the adolescents and holding space for them to show up and be themselves. It can be challenging for our kids to gain trust and feel comfortable within the constraints of one meeting, especially when sharing personal and often traumatic life experiences. I always get to know as much as possible about the child and family prior to meeting them and try to create a safe space for the child to take the lead on what they share.
What’s your favorite thing about the Thompson culture?
I appreciate the diversity of programs at Thompson and how they evolve and grow with the changing needs of the community. The culture encourages professional growth for staff and prioritizes staff mental health which ultimately helps clients receive better care.
What are you most proud of about your work at Thompson?
I’m proud that Thompson supports the JCPC program, enabling us to partner with the DJJDP and other professionals involved with the youth and families we serve. It’s been impactful to collaborate as part of a team on behalf of each client and offer mental health support throughout their court involvement. I’m also very fortunate to work alongside Dr. Becky Smith, who is my mentor and an amazing court psychologist. She has been the heart of this program for 18 years and tirelessly advocates for us so we can continue to support court-involved youth in our community.
If you could sum up your employment with Thompson with a quote – what would it be?
“Be the reason someone feels welcomed, valued, loved, and supported.”