Our promotional spotlight employee for October 2024 is Lisett Salazar, Mobile Crisis Response Therapist.
Lisett Salazar has made a remarkable journey in the field of mental health. She began her career as an EMT in San Diego County before transitioning to an outpatient therapist role at Penny Lane Clinic in August 2022. With a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Touro University and recently becoming a licensed therapist, Lissett now serves as a Mobile Crisis Response Therapist at UMCR.
Her experiences working with domestic violence victims and her commitment to helping children and families have shaped her approach to therapy. Lisett is not only dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of others but also values the strong sense of community and support she has found at Penny Lane. With her diverse background and unwavering belief in herself, Lisett continues to grow and thrive in her professional journey.
Prior to Penny Lane, I worked as an EMT in the emergency department in San Diego County. I was not sure at the time what I wanted to do, but this is where I first learned about MFTs, and it made me decide to pursue my MFT degree. After my undergraduate degree, I started work with a forensic department in San Diego, where I gained experience with victims of domestic violence and physical and sexual abuse. I worked with both adults and children and assisted them with resources (basic needs, therapy, law enforcement & forensic interview appointments, and calvcb).
I came across Penny Lane while searching for jobs after grad school. I was new to LA County and had taken a job in downtown LA without realizing how bad traffic really is in LA. I wanted to work helping children and families, and PLC has many programs and opportunities to do this.
My favorite aspect of working at PLC is being able to make a difference in individuals' lives, whether it’s providing them with the appropriate resources or just listening to them. I also enjoy being able to grow and learn from my supervisors and colleagues, the sense of community and belonging, and the welcoming environment that I receive from my colleagues in the clinic.
My path to promotion was easy and fast.
PLC has helped me along the way by having very supportive supervisors who have been very helpful, have guided me, and provided constructive feedback. I recently became licensed (9/2024), and I want to thank you, Maria Arroyo, for all the amazing support you provided me with while I was stressed studying for the test.
I have been able to take advantage of the amazing benefits PLC offers, such as education reimbursement, license renewal, bilingual differential, time off to study for my licensing exam, and recently applied for the loan forgiveness program.
I recently transferred to UMCR, where we are working 12 hours a day and do not know what the day will be like or what to expect. I think I will have to adjust to working long hours and going back to working weekends and holidays.
I moved to Mexico when I was about 8 and lived there until I was 14.
I think moving back and forth as a child and having to re-learn the English language, constant bullying for not speaking the proper Spanish but also not speaking proper English and being a first-generation college graduate and learning as you go.
Believe in yourself.
The support I receive from my supervisors and the relationships I have built with some of my colleagues.
I am grateful for being a part of PLC and for everything I have learned thus far. I am also grateful for my family and friends, who have supported me through this long journey.
Congratulations Lisett!
