March Newsletter

Orbit Health

March Newsletter

Greetings to our Orbit Health community and a very special Social Work Month to all social workers! Social workers go above and beyond to care for patients 365 days a year. But every March, they receive much-deserved appreciation for their valuable service.This isn’t lost on Orbit Health, and we truly appreciate all of our social workers as well as those in the broader community.

As a comprehensive behavioral health partner, Orbit Health’s team includes many LCSWs. But we’re also supported by MD psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, and other behavioral health providers. Our goal is to make the entire range of mental health services accessible to all through tele-based solutions that promote health equity and address social determinants of health.

Q+A with LCSW

Willy Grace Bungahoy-Diama

1. As you may know, March is “Social Work Month,” but social workers do incredible work everyday of the year. What is the most challenging part of being an LCSW?

Being an LCSW comes with many challenges, both emotional and systemic. But the most challenging I faced this past year is working with clients experiencing severe mental health struggles, which can be emotionally draining. Which is why it is essential for clinicians to cultivate a daily practice of self-care to maintain their wellbeing and effectiveness in their work.

2. Why did you pursue a career in social work, and is your daily work consistent with what you anticipated prior to starting?

I chose to become a social worker because of a personal experience where I encountered a social worker who lacked the compassion and support I had expected during a difficult time. That experience motivated me to enter the field with the intention of being the kind of social worker who truly listens, advocates, and provides meaningful help to those in need. I wanted to make a difference by ensuring that the people I serve feel heard, respected, and supported in ways I didn’t experience myself.

For the most part, my daily work is what I anticipated-challenging but incredibly rewarding. Doing my work makes it easier due to supportive leadership here in Orbit.

3. What is the most rewarding part of being a Social Worker?

I find it truly fulfilling to see clients not only using coping tools themselves (e.g. deep breathing exercises) but also sharing them with others, helping to create a ripple effect of support and resilience.

4. What character traits are most important to being an impactful Social Worker?

To be an impactful social worker, having empathy, compassion, flexibility, cultural competence, life-long learner and self-care.

5. What will an LCSW’s job look like in 10 years? Do you think tele-therapy will continue to grow as an alternative to in-person consultation?

LCSWs will likely evolve in several ways shaped by technology, policy changes and societal needs. There will be expansion of teletherapy and digital services, offering more accessibility to those living in rural areas. Tele-therapy is here to stay and will likely expand further as it offers convenience, accessibility and flexibility

Behavioral Health Spotlight

Underserved Communities

Underserved communities in California and across the U.S. have patients in need of behavioral health services whether they’re located in big cities or rural areas. However, they often lack necessary psychiatrists and providers due to geographical and budgetary challenges. While many underserved communities work hard to recruit sufficient resources, the search can seem daunting.

Fortunately, telepsychiatry and tele-therapy can bridge this critical gap in care. Orbit Health works with many organizations across a variety of landscapes, including rural counties and urban clinics. These partnerships allow us to support underserved patients with reliable access care–both for scheduled outpatient appointments and inpatient or on-call coverage.

Explore behavioral health solutions for your community today!