How Social Work Works
By Bradley REACH
To celebrate Social Work Month in March we asked three of our social workers what drew them to social work as a career, and how social work makes a difference as part of the Bradley REACH team…
Nicole Chaudhrey, LICSW
My name is Nicole Chaudhrey and I am a LICSW with the REACH program. Looking back, I fell into Social Work after majoring in psychology and being unsure what I wanted to do with my degree. I completed my Masters in Social Work at Simmons College and shortly after started in the field working with teenagers who struggled with substance use, traumatic brain injuries and other mental health diagnoses. Since that point, I have worked 10 years at Bradley Hospital; initially working on the children’s inpatient unit and transitioning to REACH when we opened in October 2021.
Since working at Bradley REACH, I’ve been re-inspired by the work we do day in, and day out coupled with our ability to serve kids and families from other states to provide the care they need and may not have access to. Being a Social Worker at Bradley REACH means that I can continue doing the work I love while providing others access to high quality care. Most importantly, I work with the most amazing, skilled team that I am proud to stand beside every day!
Julia Page, LICSW
My name is Julia Page and I’m a LICSW at the REACH program. I graduated with a dual Bachelor’s degree in Human Development/Family Studies and Psychology from the University of Connecticut. I found psychology fascinating, but learning about family dynamics and systems that impact individuals seemed equally important.
After receiving my Bachelor’s, I chose to enter the workforce to get more experience and figure out my next steps. I first took a job working at a therapeutic boarding school as direct care staff. While I gained valuable experience and enjoyed working with youth, I knew I wanted to explore other options. On a whim, I decided to relocate to Rhode Island and took a job at Bradley’s Adolescent Partial Hospital Program as a Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS). Immediately, I noticed a difference in how the team functioned and provided such a high level of care to adolescents and their families. What was supposed to be a temporary, part-time job as I was figuring things out, led to a full-time position as a BHS while the program expanded over the next few years. I got to work alongside some really talented mental health professionals and was encouraged to pursue my Masters in Social Work.
Since that time, I have worked in a variety of mental health settings including schools, residentials, homes, and hospitals. When the opportunity to return to Bradley through Bradley REACH arose, it seemed like an obvious choice. Experiencing such a wide variety of settings since first being at Bradley, I’ve been able to see what quality care looks like (or doesn’t look like) and how important it is to have a well-functioning team where everyone is equally committed and valued. I’ve also seen how hard that is for families and referring providers to come by.
Brianna Parkinson, LCSW
My name is Brianna Parkinson. I’m an LCSW for the Bradley REACH team. I started my Journey on Bradley’s Inpatient unit as a Behavioral Health Specialist after graduating from the University of Rhode Island. Shortly after, I went on to become a member of our Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (APHP) in 2019 and helped Bradley REACH team from its beginnings. As an undergraduate, I focused my studies on Sustainability, Psychology and Spanish, hoping to work a helping profession. In my work at Bradley, I soon was enamored with the tangible process of healing. I was a part of a team that highlighted the importance of the healing of the individual to bring strength to the community. Now, on the Bradley REACH team, I can do this as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker after graduating in 2023 from Simmons University. I am a part of a team that not only provides this inventive access to care within our state, but nationwide. It is a true virtue to be a member of a team that collaborates optimal healthcare to all.
DISCLAIMER:
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you or your child are in crisis or experiencing mental health problems please seek the advice of a licensed clinician or call 988 or Kids Link in Rhode Island.
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