From Parent Educator to Mental Health Clinician
Chico, California
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Pattie Pardini-Barrett earned a degree in Counseling Psychology at age 51 and today serves the needs of the low-income community.
I became a single parent in 1984 with no degree although I was a certified child birth educator and had taught parenting classes. I received a paralegal certificate in 1985 and worked only six months as a paralegal.
In 1985 I started working for a nonprofit, teaching and providing in-home parenting to Children's Services clients. In 1994 at the age of 47 I received my B.A. in Integral Studies, and in 1999 at the age of 51 I received my M.A. in Counseling Psychology.
The inspiration for this path was the lack of quality therapeutic services for those who are low income. They have multiple issues, including childhood trauma resulting in complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and substance abuse that is a way to self-medicate the underlying issues that have not been addressed.
These individuals have children, and there is a high risk of this generational abuse being passed down. Treatment is very limited and comprehensive services are vital to these families. I have seen miracles happen with individuals who are supported, educated and treated with compassion. They are the reason I continue to do this work at age 60 and will continue as long as I can.
I work for Butte County Behavioral Health in the Cal Works Division with patients who are receiving public assistance. I provide assessment, treatment and case management connecting people to community services.
I also teach a class for couples who are co-parents in conflict. The court system often orders clients to take the class called "Consider the Children." The focus of my work is families with children who so desperately need education and support so they can change entrenched negative patterns of behavior. The best therapy for children is healthy parents. Our children are the hope for the future.