Price of Systems

What is it like being a helping professional in 2026? I'm an LPC and worked in community mental health for 9+ years. I'm passionate about making sense of my experiences working within a system whose structure and requirements impacted the work I did, and the clients I worked with. Systems meaning the systems themselves - mental health, healthcare, criminal punishment ("justice") system, substance use treatment, child welfare, education, housing, etc. - but more specifically the role of government oversight and bureaucracy. The policies and procedures that impact how helping professionals can operate when working in programs funded by Medicaid / Medicare / other state and federal dollars. There are inefficiencies and disparities within our systems. Mental health and other helping professionals are struggling with burnout. Communities that rely on public services are hurting. I want to talk to other helping professionals to understand the WHY and define the problems. To explore how all of these systems intertwine with one another and shape people's lives, both personally and professionally. I believe the systemic issues will come up naturally in conversations about helping work, and so I also want to be sure to highlight what's going well. To have discussions to understand what models of helping DO work, and what non-profits and grassroots organizations need to provide the highest quality of social services possible. I hope you'll join me in listening or if you'd like to talk about YOUR professional or personal experiences within systems, public services, and/or helping professions please reach out. I believe collaboration is how we determine a way forward, and what changes to advocate for.