Twenty-one years ago, before she became a staff therapist at our LaGrange office, Hillary Mundon was the winner of Northeastern Center’s Jane George Scholarship. We asked her to answer some questions about her educational and career journey since 2005, and to give some advice to students planning to pursue a career in mental health.
Q: Thinking back to when you were a student, what made you want to work in the mental health field?
Growing up, I naturally became the person others turned to for guidance or simply to feel heard. Even before I fully understood the mental health field, I recognized how essential it was for people to have a safe and supportive space to express themselves.
Q: Thinking about where you are now, what makes you want to STAY in the mental health field?
I have worked in the social services field since 2009, and it has become more than a career for me — it’s a calling. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing people discover their own resilience and identify strengths they never realized they had. Being able to walk alongside individuals as they navigate change and step into their full potential is an honor. I cannot imagine doing anything else.
Q: Talk about your educational and career journey a bit. How did it maybe look different than you planned?
After earning my bachelor’s degree in social work in 2009, I initially planned to take only a short break before continuing my education. That break ultimately became several years, but the time I spent working for the Department of Child Services (DCS) provided invaluable real world experience. By the time I returned to pursue my master’s degree, I had accumulated more than a decade in the social services field. That allowed me to approach my graduate studies with clarity, purpose and a deeper understanding of the work I wanted to do. What I’ve learned is that it is never too late to continue your education or invest in your professional growth.
Q: Why did you decide to work at Northeastern Center?
When I began exploring therapy settings, I was intentional about finding an environment that would support my growth as a clinician. I knew I wanted a workplace where collaboration was valued and where I wouldn’t feel isolated when making clinical decisions. I considered private practice, community mental health and the various populations I could serve. I found that community mental health would offer the broadest exposure and provide opportunities to expand my skill set.
Q: What advice would you give to a high school student considering a career in mental health?
Anyone considering a career in the mental health field should begin by extending compassion to themselves. This work is deeply meaningful, but it is also demanding and challenging. You will meet people in their moments of pain, crisis and vulnerability. You will hear stories that are difficult to imagine and emotionally charged. A part of developing as a professional is learning how to remain grounded and present during those hard conversations. Maintaining healthy boundaries, cultivating a strong selfcare routine, and leaning on your own support system will be essential. Our ability to support others is strengthened when we first take care of ourselves.
