Yvonne Nelson

When did you begin working at CALM/ How long have you been at CALM?

I started working at CALM in November of 2013.

What is your role at CALM?

I am a Lompoc Mental Health Clinician on the WIT team providing center based, community based,  and intensive in-home mental health services. I am also  part of our county-wide SART team as a CALM forensic interviewer.

Please share one of your best CALM experience (a time you felt like you really made a difference.)

I worked with one particular client who had a very significant trauma history. I began working with her from the time she was put in placement until almost two years later when she went to live with her “forever family.” Over those two years this client experienced many profound disappointments regarding her family of origin and prospective adoptive parents that ultimately didn’t work out. Throughout that time we met every week and worked on difficult issues. Our therapeutic relationship was the only real constant for this child. I know it was very healing for her because she had never experienced it before.  I know that our relationship laid the foundation for future healing and relationship building.  I was able to visit with her after she had spent some time in her new forever home and I got a glimpse of the young woman she was always meant to be- this was such a reaffirming gift to me about the work that we do at CALM!

Finish the sentence. “If I could do one thing to make kids’ lives better, I would….”

Find as many ways as possible to support their parents and help them see the intrinsic value that each child holds and how much they need the love and support of a safe and nurturing caregiver.

What is one thing you wish people knew about CALM?

The incredible dedication, passion, and expertise that CALM staff bring to their work. On every level CALM is an agency that seeks to cherish and support children and their families.