Her violin taught her about life.

Dr. Sara M.’s desire to study human dynamics was born when she started to play the violin. She explains, “I performed with other musicians from different cultures and different backgrounds, and each revealed such a tapestry of emotions and experiences that influence how they express music. That sparked my fascination with the intricate dance of human dynamics and psychodynamics.”

When a close family member faced their own harsh realities of mental illness, she felt a desire to understand the complexities of the brain and the human mind. She adds, “This fueled my commitment to be at the forefront of mental health treatment and, most ultimately, to help people who are having a difficult time with their mental health.”

Today, her work with Kaiser Permanente gives her the opportunity to contribute her ideas to the larger landscape of mental health treatment.

Collaborating to lead the way.

After working as a therapist, manager, and clinical director with Kaiser Permanente, she’s seen the power of teamwork and an openness to hearing new perspectives. She said, “I feel empowered to lead initiatives that make a meaningful impact knowing that I have the collective expertise and passion of my colleagues right beside me.”

At Kaiser Permanente, entire departments often work together to identify an area for improvement. Together, they embrace diverse perspectives and invite new points of view. Dr. Sara M. says, “Instead of relying on a single viewpoint, we invite representatives from every discipline: therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, medical assistants, primary care, physicians, management, and leadership all share their insights.” This teamwork results in collaborative problem solving. She added, “it’s incredibly stimulating to witness the creativity that emerges when so many talented clinicians contribute their unique perspectives.”

Growing her career, her way.

Dr. Sara M. received a lot of training in the Kaiser Permanente externship and during her postdoctoral fellowship. She explains, “I was trained by some of the best psychologists, neuropsychologists, and mental health clinicians. and the quality of my training was outstanding.”

Throughout her career, she’s had opportunities to learn and grow. Working as a therapist, she experienced various service lines before progressing to management and then becoming a clinical director. She was able to follow her personal aspirations. Dr. Sara M. clarified, “Kaiser Permanente has consistently supported my interests. I felt encouraged to pursue my passions.”

She also appreciates the leadership culture and stated, “It’s been incredibly empowering. I've been given the chance to step into leadership roles and influence change while being supported by mentors who genuinely want to see me succeed.”

Advice for future caregivers.

Dr. Sara M. thinks that now is a great time to enter the mental health field. She continued, “More people in the community are starting to have conversations around mental health and mental illness. We all understand the importance of addressing it.”

Cultural stigmas are starting to fall away, and mental health experts are needed more than ever. Dr. Sara M. summarized by saying, “Now is also a time to innovate in our mental health care treatments and practices and to be part of integrated, multidisciplinary teams. To me, it’s not just a job, but a chance to be part of a dedicated community focused on making a difference in people's lives.”