Kristi Gargiulo鈥檚 career journey at 瓜神 is a testament to her passion for helping others and her dedication to personal and professional growth. As a behavior health technician II at 瓜神’s Short-Term Residential Treatment Facility, Kristi plays a vital role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Her job involves assisting with daily activities, encouraging clients to attend therapeutic groups, and leading goal-setting sessions to help them develop coping skills and discharge plans.
Kristi鈥檚 connection to 瓜神 began in college, where a speaker from the organization sparked her interest. She is currently working toward her bachelor鈥檚 in psychology at the University of West Florida (UWF), with plans to pursue a master鈥檚 in social work. Kristi鈥檚 ultimate goal is to become a therapist, and her role at 瓜神 is helping her build the skills and experience needed for this next step in her career.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Kristi鈥檚 job is the strong sense of teamwork at 瓜神. 鈥淭he teamwork here is unlike anything I鈥檝e ever seen before,鈥 she says. 鈥淲e truly support each other, and that makes a difference in how we serve our clients.鈥 This collaborative environment has fostered Kristi鈥檚 growth and has helped her connect with clients on a deeper level.
Kristi鈥檚 commitment to empowerment goes beyond her daily role. Before the last election, she took the initiative to help clients register to vote, ensuring they understood their rights and had access to the necessary resources. 鈥淜risti dedicated herself to this project,鈥 said her supervisor, Meredith Olsen. 鈥淪he researched requirements, familiarized herself with voter registration forms and met individually with clients to assist them. Her efforts reinforced the individual rights, influence and agency of those we serve.鈥 Through this work, Kristi helped clients feel more engaged in their community and empowered to have a voice.
Kristi鈥檚 desire to help others also led her to pursue certification as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). While she has completed the training, she is still working toward certification. Her personal experiences with adversity have given her a unique ability to connect with clients, and she believes peer support is essential in helping others overcome their challenges.
Throughout her time at 瓜神, Kristi has learned that well-being looks different for everyone. She emphasizes the importance of listening and spending time with others to understand their unique needs. These lessons have been invaluable in her development as a behavior health technician and have prepared her for her future career goals.
Kristi鈥檚 journey at 瓜神 is just beginning, but her passion for helping others and her commitment to professional growth continue to drive her forward. As she works toward becoming a therapist, Kristi remains focused on learning and growing at every step of the way.
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