Staff
Profiles
Jamie Lemmon,
Child and Family Therapist,
Waverly Children's
Home, School-based Program
 Jamie has been working as a School-based Program therapist
at the Centennial Learning Center (CLC) in Portland, since
hired in September, 2002. "I
had just completed my MS in counseling psychology at Loyola College and was working
at John Hopkins. I knew I wanted to move to Oregon and work for a large
non-profit organization that promised a variety of career opportunities. I
did a lot of research on the internet and found Trillium Family Services." Jamie
works with students at Centennial ranging from 7th through 12th grades. She
conducts groups, meets individually with students, and pulls family members in
to therapy sessions whenever possible. "There are about 100 students
placed at CLC, most due to behavioral problems, and many of those with mental
health issues," she explains. "My job consists of therapy as
well as case management. We've been really successful in partnering with
other community groups to connect the students and their families with needed
services. We have an amazing relationship with the school. The teachers
are really awesome out there."
Jamie relates that one of the greatest challenges she faces with this group of
students is utilizing the web of information she gains in working with the students,
while maintaining strict confidentiality. "I've never had a caseload
in which everyone knows each other so well." Jamie also finds it difficult
sometimes being so geographically isolated from the rest
of the TFS staff. "Despite this isolation," she
relates, "I have excellent supervisory contact and support. I
meet every week with my supervisor and have been supported
in my efforts to gain licensure."
While Jamie spends the bulk of her workload at CLC, she also
carries a small caseload as an outpatient therapist with
Waverly Children's Home. This
set-up enables her to continue to work with students who transition out of CLC
but require continued therapy. "I feel like we are able to provide
real wraparound care this way. I can transition a student to a new school
while continuing to be a source of support and advocacy--for his/her family,
as well. "I have about 7 kids facing graduation who I don't think
would be in that position without the services we have provided."
Jamie and another Trillium Family Services staff based out of Centennial, Angela
Nusom, were recently recognized as Team-of-the-Month at Waverly Children's Home.
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