Stress Reliever

“When a client finally opens up and freely discloses, I always feel I’ve succeeded,” says therapist Haina Ramos. (Image courtesy of Thriveworks)

Licensed clinical social worker Haina Irish Ramos, MSW ’16, provides traditional in-person counseling through her work with Thriveworks, an Arlington Heights, Ill.–based mental health provider with more than 340 locations. She’s also adept at online and crisis hotline counseling—skills that become critical during the “holiday blues” season.

How do you help your clients?
Through therapy that can uncover many complex issues. Being able to cope with our present-day circumstances while also processing past experiences is a struggle in and of itself. When clients say, “I’m really glad we met today,” or “I was very anxious today, but I’m feeling so much better now,” those are statements that validate what I do—helping people deal with stress.

Why is your multi-technological work at Thriveworks important?
I’ve seen clients who’ve literally rolled out of bed and are thankful they don’t need to spend the extra time to get ready or drive, and clients who’ve just finished a long, stressful workday and are grateful for a chance to meet without stressing about making it to their therapist’s office on time. We can concentrate on therapy as a safe place where people can breathe, recharge and power through another day.

What makes you unique among the professionals at Thriveworks?
My background and experience as an Asian immigrant helps me bring a multiracial perspective into treatment.

What defines a successful interaction with a client?
Sometimes it’s a, “Well, I didn’t see that coming” or “I feel we’ve wrapped that up in a nice little bow.” When a client finally opens up and freely discloses, I always feel I’ve succeeded.