317: A Niche Working With Incarcerated Men
Episode description
Today’s session is atypical and very specific, but I think it’s a relevant and timely focus. The topic of supporting incarcerated men has been something I’ve thought about for a long time because the need is great, and I have a heart for those clinicians who do this difficult work. I want to learn and understand more about this field, so I hope you’ll join me for today’s conversation.
Our Featured Guest
Robert Fields, LPA
Robert Fields is a Licensed Psychological Associate in Durham, NC. His 15-year career has included a variety of clients, including veterans, adjudicated youth in the juvenile justice system, and individuals with developmental disabilities. His current focus is on incarcerated men within the prison system. Ever active in his community with youth and adults, he works to educate and reduce the stigma by making mental health a more relatable, useful, and transparent topic. Robert and I recently connected on Twitter, and I’m excited to learn more about his work in this field.
You’ll Learn:
- Why Robert chose to work with incarcerated men, despite his initial hesitancy
- How Robert figured out that being present is the most important element in his work, whether working with juveniles or adults
- How Robert depends on his personal experience to understand how people make poor choices
- Robert’s advice to those who want to work with incarcerated individuals:
- Don’t lose sight of their humanity.
- Be consistent, respectful, and fair above all else.
- Have well-defined boundaries.
- How Robert maintains optimism in this challenging environment
Mentioned in this episode:
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