Wall of Love for BH Careers Page

Alnita Pender, LPC

The most rewarding part of my job is planting seeds of hope and care in kids and families and watching them grow. I’m motivated by my own childhood, when a teacher truly saw me, helped me handle big emotions, and showed up with real care. If you’re entering this field, I believe your role is to create a safe space, listen actively without judgment, and encourage kids and families as they work through big feelings and problems.

Ralph Balducci, PhD

I’m motivated each session to say something that resonates, helps clients feel better about themselves, and recognize their strengths. I also want more students to join this profession so we can keep helping people cope with what they’ve been through and build better lives.

Lisa Spearman, LCSW

I chose this field to help others by supporting children’s emotional growth. One of the most rewarding parts is watching kids learn to express their feelings, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills over time. I stay motivated by remembering that progress isn’t always immediate, but showing up consistently with patience and a safe space truly matters.

Smith Kidkarndee, PsyD

I support children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development through counseling, behavioral interventions, and family and school support. I use the idea of “glimmers”—small moments of connection, joy, and safety—to help kids and families find calm and hope, even during stress or dysregulation. If I choose a career in behavioral health, I get to help children through mental health challenges and notice and grow those glimmers.

Kimberly Shirk, LPC

I love supporting neurodivergent kids, and I’m motivated by building relationships with students who struggle to connect with others. Even on tricky days, I learn from hard moments and believe they help us all grow, so if you want this field, you need real passion for kids.

Cheryl Panosian, LPC

I want you to consider a career in mental health because I love helping teens and families through challenges and breaking cycles of generational trauma. I’m a licensed professional counselor with a master’s in psychology, and the work has flexibility for my family while letting me serve clients at an agency and in a small private practice.

Alayna Freeman

I’m Dr. Elena Freeman, and I see children’s behavioral health as imagination, resilience, and a whole village working together. Through stories and play, kids share deep emotions, and earning their trust feels like an honor. I’m motivated by their search for hope and connection, and I believe their voices and feelings deserve space to grow.

Alayna Freeman, MD

2026 CHDI Video Contest Winner

I see children’s behavioral health as imagination, resilience, and a whole village working together. Through stories and play, kids share deep emotions, and earning their trust feels like an honor. I’m motivated by their search for hope and connection, and I believe their voices and feelings deserve space to grow.

Katherine Babb, LCSW

2026 CHDI Video Contest Winner

Since 2014, I’ve been motivated by learning and growing alongside the children, families, and colleagues I work with. I originally thought I’d work with adults facing substance use and mental health challenges, but I found my passion in child psychiatry and behavioral health because starting care young can create deeper impact. The work can be really hard at times, but I believe children deserve support, play, and the chance to grow.

Glorimar Falcon, LMSW

2026 CHDI Video Contest Winner

My work is personal because I see my own Bridgeport story in my students. As a Hispanic clinician, I understand the cultural barriers to seeking help, so I focus on building trust and listening without judgment. What motivates me most is connection and impact, especially when a student says I inspired them to join this field, and my advice is simple: go for it because being there can change a life.

Natalie Claude, LCSW

I’ve spent the past 6 years working with children and families—even though I never planned to. Saying yes to this work has been so rewarding because I can use games, art, and creative activities to explore kids’ mental health and support their treatment goals instead of relying only on talk therapy.

Christine Tomlin, LCSW

I’m a licensed clinical social worker who loves teaching kids about emotions so they can express themselves and build healthier friendships without fighting or hitting. I help kids with anxiety and ADHD learn calming and focusing techniques like deep breathing that can support them for life, even into college. I love seeing their joy when they realize they’ve mastered a new skill and can manage what they’re going through.

Cecilia Frometa, PhD

I love helping kids and families find a path forward. As a first-gen professional, I want you to see that you can do this too. This is about building a stronger next generation of behavioral health specialists—si se puede.

Selina Reyes, MSW

I share a letter from a 5th grader who had a tough year with big emotions and moments when school didn’t feel safe. They say I helped them feel better, gain confidence, and get advice when they came to school upset. It reminds me that showing up consistently for kids, especially on their hard days, creates small wins that stay with them long after they leave.

Alnita Pender, LPC

The most rewarding part of my job is planting seeds of hope and care in kids and families and watching them grow. I’m motivated by my own childhood, when a teacher truly saw me, helped me handle big emotions, and showed up with real care. If you’re entering this field, I believe your role is to create a safe space, listen actively without judgment, and encourage kids and families as they work through big feelings and problems.

Ralph Balducci, PhD

I’m motivated each session to say something that resonates, helps clients feel better about themselves, and recognize their strengths. I also want more students to join this profession so we can keep helping people cope with what they’ve been through and build better lives.

Lisa Spearman, LCSW

I chose this field to help others by supporting children’s emotional growth. One of the most rewarding parts is watching kids learn to express their feelings, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills over time. I stay motivated by remembering that progress isn’t always immediate, but showing up consistently with patience and a safe space truly matters.

Smith Kidkarndee, PsyD

I support children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development through counseling, behavioral interventions, and family and school support. I use the idea of “glimmers”—small moments of connection, joy, and safety—to help kids and families find calm and hope, even during stress or dysregulation. If I choose a career in behavioral health, I get to help children through mental health challenges and notice and grow those glimmers.

Kimberly Shirk, LPC

I love supporting neurodivergent kids, and I’m motivated by building relationships with students who struggle to connect with others. Even on tricky days, I learn from hard moments and believe they help us all grow, so if you want this field, you need real passion for kids.

Cheryl Panosian, LPC

I want you to consider a career in mental health because I love helping teens and families through challenges and breaking cycles of generational trauma. I’m a licensed professional counselor with a master’s in psychology, and the work has flexibility for my family while letting me serve clients at an agency and in a small private practice.

Alayna Freeman

I’m Dr. Elena Freeman, and I see children’s behavioral health as imagination, resilience, and a whole village working together. Through stories and play, kids share deep emotions, and earning their trust feels like an honor. I’m motivated by their search for hope and connection, and I believe their voices and feelings deserve space to grow.

Alayna Freeman, MD

2026 CHDI Video Contest Winner

I see children’s behavioral health as imagination, resilience, and a whole village working together. Through stories and play, kids share deep emotions, and earning their trust feels like an honor. I’m motivated by their search for hope and connection, and I believe their voices and feelings deserve space to grow.

Katherine Babb, LCSW

2026 CHDI Video Contest Winner

Since 2014, I’ve been motivated by learning and growing alongside the children, families, and colleagues I work with. I originally thought I’d work with adults facing substance use and mental health challenges, but I found my passion in child psychiatry and behavioral health because starting care young can create deeper impact. The work can be really hard at times, but I believe children deserve support, play, and the chance to grow.

Glorimar Falcon, LMSW

2026 CHDI Video Contest Winner

My work is personal because I see my own Bridgeport story in my students. As a Hispanic clinician, I understand the cultural barriers to seeking help, so I focus on building trust and listening without judgment. What motivates me most is connection and impact, especially when a student says I inspired them to join this field, and my advice is simple: go for it because being there can change a life.

Natalie Claude, LCSW

I’ve spent the past 6 years working with children and families—even though I never planned to. Saying yes to this work has been so rewarding because I can use games, art, and creative activities to explore kids’ mental health and support their treatment goals instead of relying only on talk therapy.

Christine Tomlin, LCSW

I’m a licensed clinical social worker who loves teaching kids about emotions so they can express themselves and build healthier friendships without fighting or hitting. I help kids with anxiety and ADHD learn calming and focusing techniques like deep breathing that can support them for life, even into college. I love seeing their joy when they realize they’ve mastered a new skill and can manage what they’re going through.

Cecilia Frometa, PhD

I love helping kids and families find a path forward. As a first-gen professional, I want you to see that you can do this too. This is about building a stronger next generation of behavioral health specialists—si se puede.

Selina Reyes, MSW

I share a letter from a 5th grader who had a tough year with big emotions and moments when school didn’t feel safe. They say I helped them feel better, gain confidence, and get advice when they came to school upset. It reminds me that showing up consistently for kids, especially on their hard days, creates small wins that stay with them long after they leave.

Alnita Pender, LPC

The most rewarding part of my job is planting seeds of hope and care in kids and families and watching them grow. I’m motivated by my own childhood, when a teacher truly saw me, helped me handle big emotions, and showed up with real care. If you’re entering this field, I believe your role is to create a safe space, listen actively without judgment, and encourage kids and families as they work through big feelings and problems.

Ralph Balducci, PhD

I’m motivated each session to say something that resonates, helps clients feel better about themselves, and recognize their strengths. I also want more students to join this profession so we can keep helping people cope with what they’ve been through and build better lives.

Lisa Spearman, LCSW

I chose this field to help others by supporting children’s emotional growth. One of the most rewarding parts is watching kids learn to express their feelings, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills over time. I stay motivated by remembering that progress isn’t always immediate, but showing up consistently with patience and a safe space truly matters.

Smith Kidkarndee, PsyD

I support children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development through counseling, behavioral interventions, and family and school support. I use the idea of “glimmers”—small moments of connection, joy, and safety—to help kids and families find calm and hope, even during stress or dysregulation. If I choose a career in behavioral health, I get to help children through mental health challenges and notice and grow those glimmers.

Kimberly Shirk, LPC

I love supporting neurodivergent kids, and I’m motivated by building relationships with students who struggle to connect with others. Even on tricky days, I learn from hard moments and believe they help us all grow, so if you want this field, you need real passion for kids.

Cheryl Panosian, LPC

I want you to consider a career in mental health because I love helping teens and families through challenges and breaking cycles of generational trauma. I’m a licensed professional counselor with a master’s in psychology, and the work has flexibility for my family while letting me serve clients at an agency and in a small private practice.

Alayna Freeman

I’m Dr. Elena Freeman, and I see children’s behavioral health as imagination, resilience, and a whole village working together. Through stories and play, kids share deep emotions, and earning their trust feels like an honor. I’m motivated by their search for hope and connection, and I believe their voices and feelings deserve space to grow.