This month, we’re spotlighting Jessica Wingate, Catherine Lawhorne, and Stephanie Fong, two of our new Behavioral Health Specialists! Get to know them better by reading about their previous education, work experience, and our interview with them.
Jessica’s education and work experience:
- Bachelors in Human Services
- Masters in Social Work
- Previously employed at DCS for 2.5 years.
A Conversation with Jessica
As a Behavioral Health Specialist, what are your duties at the Family Health Clinic?
At the FHC, we provide counseling services for a wide variety of ages and issues. We also integrate healthcare with mental health care by checking in on patients during their appointments at the clinic! And much more!
What drew you to the Family Health Clinic?
The patient-centered care that the clinic and staff provide. All of the staff truly are devoted to the patients and providing the highest quality care possible.
What is your favorite part about working for the Family Health Clinic?
I have loved working with the patients. I am also extremely grateful for the fantastic Behavioral Health team the clinic has. As well as getting to know all of the amazing and kind staff that work here.
Why do you think having health services like the ones the FHC provides is important in the local community?
It’s so important to have easy access to quality healthcare. FHC provides quality services that make it easy for families to have access to, with a staff that is truly dedicated to not only medical care but the wellbeing of every patient.
What can we find you doing in your time off?
I am very outdoorsy. I love to run, exercise, kayak, and hike!
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I am super honored to work for FHC. The staff are incredibly professional yet personable and go above and beyond for their patients.
Catherine’s Education and Work Experience:
- Catherine received her undergraduate degree in Health Science from Ball State University.
- In addition, she received a Master’s degree in Community Counseling from Ball State University as well.
- She has worked in a variety of settings, including college and University settings, corrections, private practice and psychiatric hospital settings, in addition to working as a stress management health coach for WebMD.
- Catherine continues to work with Purdue students in the School of Veterinary Medicine.
- She has always wanted to utilize the combination of her health science and community counseling backgrounds and believes that working for the North Central Nursing Clinics will help her to accomplish this.
A Conversation with Catherine
As a Behavioral Health Specialist, what are your duties at the Family Health Clinic?
I will see patients for a variety of psychiatric issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, behavior, and general life stress. I will provide counseling to various populations including adults, children and substance abuse. I will also provide consultation to patients who are being seen on the medical side, but indicate a need to discuss mental health issues.
What drew you to the Family Health Clinic?
I was drawn to the clinic due to the diverse setting. I have always wanted an opportunity to utilize my health education background with my counseling background. The Family Health Clinic provides a primary care setting that takes a holistic approach to the individual, which is a primary interest of mine. In addition, the administrators, providers and staff are kind and encourage a positive and respectful work culture, which is important to me.
What is your favorite part about working for the Family Health Clinic?
My favorite part about working for the Family Health Clinic is getting to work with a diverse population in a setting that promotes a positive work environment.
Why do you think having health services like the ones the FHC provides is important in the local community?
It is important that all individuals and populations receive adequate health care, including mental health. The Family Health Clinic provides that to all individuals and offers 5 locations to service the area.
Tell us about yourself/your hobbies!
I like to spend time with my family, friends and animals. In addition, I enjoy practicing yoga, listening to music, and thrift store shopping with my aunts.
Stephanie’s education and work experience:
- Pursuing a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree in Clinical Psychology and currently in her sixth year (last year) of schooling.
- Her clinical work primarily has been in community mental health in partial hospitalization program, home-based treatment, and outpatient setting.
- Her interest has been working with patients experiencing severe mental illnesses because of her fascination of their perspectives of the world.
A Conversation with Stephanie
As a Behavioral Health Specialist, what are your duties at the Family Health Clinic?
My duties at the Family Health Clinic (FHC) include collaborating with primary care providers to give patients a thorough treatment through the biopsychosocial lens. Primarily, I work with patients to address day-to-day life stressors, implement healthy habits, and most importantly, empathize with their pain.
What drew you to the Family Health Clinic?
I was drawn to the FHC because we have a rare opportunity to have behavioral health providers to accompany with PCP to their visits. I am an advocate to destigmatize people receiving mental health services and I believe that the FHC is taking a big step to challenge the traditional medical model. I want to be a part of that!
What is your favorite part about working for the Family Health Clinic?
I love that everyone in FHC promotes a welcoming and collaborative environment to work in. Here, I feel like I am part of a big family. Since I started, anytime I have a question, there has always been someone willing to help. What else can I ask for!
Why do you think having health services like the ones the FHC provides is important in the local community?
Although I am not a local, I see that there is an overwhelming need of high quality health care services in rural areas. I think everyone deserves to have quality health care despite where you are from.
What can we find you doing in your time off?
Since moving to Indiana, I have been finding new ways for self-care. Lately, my partner and I have been implementing art hour every weekend to either paint + drink wine or decorating our new home. We also love to experiment with new dishes with our Instant Pot and cooking my grandma’s soup recipes.
Jessica, Catherine, and Stephanie, we are so happy to have you both as part of the Family Health Clinic!
To make an appointment and see Jessica or Catherine, call (800) 321-5043.
