06/01/2026
In the fall of 2023, I moved to San Francisco to begin my practicum, working within the shelter system alongside individuals experiencing severe mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and transgender women living with AIDS. The work was new to me, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. What I did have, however, was a deep desire to help others and an ability to connect with people whose life experiences were very different from my own.
Very quickly, I learned that the shelters where I worked functioned much like families. There were natural hierarchies, helpers who stepped up to support others, and individuals who needed extra care and attention due to their unique needs. Guests held one another accountable, and like any family system, there were disagreements, apologies, and moments of repair. Everyone played a role, and each person’s behavior affected the people around them.
Families and communities are living systems that require flexibility and compassion as they adapt to meet the needs of each member. While we all need a sense of independence and personal agency, true growth happens when...
https://anewtreatmentcenter.com/were-in-this-together-the-value-of-community-in-the-therapy-process/
