Alayna Freeman

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is to be able to be both an advocate for children and a witness to their authentic creativity.
So to anyone interested in this field, I'd say be ready to join a village of communities, families, schools, and healthcare professionals working together to support the growth of our children and teens.

Hi, I'm Doctor Elena Freeman, a board certified adult psychiatrist and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellow. When I think of children's behavioral health, I think of imagination, resilience, and a village. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is to be able to be both an advocate for children and a witness to their authentic creativity. Through stories and play, they often reveal the deepest emotions, and to earn their trust to be able to share those experiences with us is truly an honor. We may be seen. Them on their best day or worst day, but what keeps me motivated is truly their constant search for hope and connection. So to anyone interested in this field, I'd say be ready to join a village of communities, families, schools, and healthcare professionals working together to support the growth of our children and teens. Their voices matter, their feelings matter, and they deserve a space to grow and evolve. Thank you.

Katherine Babb

Since graduating with my MSW I've become more involved in child psychiatry and behavioral health and really believe that when mental health care starts young, I can make more of an impact.

I'm Catherine Babb, and I'm a licensed clinical social worker. I've been working with children and families since 2014, and what keeps me going in this work are the opportunities to learn and grow alongside the families I serve and my colleagues. Everyone has a story to tell, and I get to be a part of people's stories for just a little while. When I started in this field as a student, I thought I wanted to work with adults struggling with substance use and mental health disorders. Kids were just too complicated. Since graduating with my MSW I've become more involved in child psychiatry and behavioral health and really believe that when mental health care starts young, I can make more of an impact. Children deserve to be cared for, to play, to grow. I heard it once said that every adult was once a child, but not every child becomes an adult. If you're considering working with children, and of course their families, no, there will be challenging and really hard seasons, but the impact on the child and the family and the community is what really drives me.

Glorimar Falcon

My name is Glorama Falcon and I'm a licensed master social worker working with young adolescents supporting their mental health.
I was born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and this work is personal to me because I see parts of my own story and the students I support.

My name is Glorama Falcon and I'm a licensed master social worker working with young adolescents supporting their mental health. I was born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and this work is personal to me because I see parts of my own story and the students I support. What keeps me motivated is remembering where I came from. As someone who is Hispanic, I understand the culture barriers around mental health and how hard it could be for families to seek help. That's why I focus on being someone my students can trust and someone who listens without judgment. For me, this work is about connection and impact. One of the most meaningful moments was when a student told me they wanted to get into this field. It reminded me that just by showing up, we can inspire others. If I could give any advice going into this field to someone, I would say go for it. This work isn't easy, but it's always worth it and sometimes just being there can change someone's life.

Children's Behavioral Health Workforce Promotion Contest Winners