Name and Position at Region Ten: Marie Poole, Community Outreach Clinician at Blue Ridge Center.
Where are you from? Los Angeles, California.
What drew you to the behavioral health field? I began my journey as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in California. During my internship, I gained valuable insights into dual diagnosis disorders and recognized that those I served often struggled with co-occuring substance use disorders, as well as mental health challenges. This understanding inspired me to pursue graduate studies with a focus on becoming a Clinical Social Worker. In my community, including among friends and church members, I am able to connect individuals with vital resources. By combining my skills, counseling education, and a strong commitment to advocacy, I ultimately became a Clinical Social Worker.
What are some of the highlights over your professional career? Throughout my career, I have been honored to work alongside individuals who are striving to enhance their lives by overcoming substance misuse. In Virginia, I was involved in harm reduction efforts at a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program, which allowed me to connect with individuals facing a range of challenges. I truly believe in a person-centered approach, where I meet individuals where they are in their journey. I also make it a priority to appreciate the complete social, religious, and cultural context of each person, recognizing that these factors play a crucial role in their journey to recovery. Currently at Region Ten, I am an Outreach Clinician focusing on offering counseling to individuals who live in low-income housing. At Region Ten’s Blue Ridge Center, I run the clinical portion of the groups for Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program (MHIOP). This is a new program for Region Ten and has been welcomed from the community.
What do you enjoy about your work at Region Ten? I take great pleasure in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to promote positive outcomes for individuals facing substance misuse and mental health challenges, particularly in low-income areas. At Region Ten’s Blue Ridge Center, I provide free counseling regardless of ability to pay, ensuring that access to support is available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Many of the individuals I work with are engaging with a counselor for the first time, which allows me to help them navigate their day-to-day challenges in a supportive manner.
What does BIPOC Mental Health Month mean to you? This month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and represents a crucial step toward destigmatizing mental health issues, particularly in the neighborhoods I serve in Charlottesville. It is an honor to be part of our Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program (MHIOP) and enhance the lives of the people we serve. Our program meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:15 AM to 12:12 PM, focusing specifically on addressing mental health challenges. Over the course of 12 weeks, the IOP provides a comprehensive curriculum rooted in evidence-based and integrative methodologies. Our treatment goals are centered on fostering a deeper understanding of mental illness, cultivating healthy coping strategies, promoting mindfulness, nurturing positive thought and behavior patterns, mastering emotion regulation, enhancing communication skills, establishing boundaries, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and developing resilience in the face of distress. Together, we strive to empower individuals on their journey toward mental wellness.