For Abbie Carey, a clinical social worker at CHD’s Pine Street Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic in Springfield, her favorite part of her job is the collaboration among her colleagues.

“I can pop into anyone’s office, when their door is open, and ask a question,” she said. “I love the teamwork we have here. Everyone’s super-supportive.”

This kind of camaraderie is important for a social worker just out of college—access to expertise and advice certainly nurtures professional growth.

The South Hadley native earned her BA in social work at Siena College and her MSW at Springfield College. She interned at the Pine Street clinic while she was working on her master’s degree and was hired full-time there last September. Carey credits her supervisor Katelyn Prendergast, CHD’s senior program director, southern region, outpatient behavioral health services, with boosting her confidence and giving her helpful suggestions during her internship.

Carey said her small “wins” with clients are satisfying, and she is grateful when they thank her because it provides crucial feedback. “That recognition means a lot—it means that how you’re approaching therapy is helpful for that individual,” she said.

She acknowledges that sometimes it’s tough for people to open up about their feelings—especially men, who might equate vulnerability with weakness because of ingrained societal expectations that they can handle their problems independently. Carey is particularly happy with one of her male clients, who is in his mid-30s and has anxiety and depression. He is soft-spoken, but he is gaining more confidence. “He had tried therapy before, but it didn’t work in that moment in time,” she said. “Now he is getting a lot out of it. He’s showing up and present and using some of the coping strategies that we’re working on in his day-to-day life.”

What would she say to someone who is considering getting professional help but is afraid of the stigma of seeking out support? “I would say to try it for a month or two to see if it helps being in a safe space with someone who’s empathetic and willing to listen,” she said. “I applaud the people who ask for help. The first step is always the hardest, but it doesn’t make you weak. It actually makes you stronger.”

Prendergast said it has been a pleasure to watch Carey’s clinical skills evolve from her time as a clinical intern to a master’s-level clinician. “Abbie is the definition of team player,” she said. “She is always willing to support in creative ways and plays a key role in the success of our open access hours at Pine Street. We are lucky to have Abbie on the team.”