In the era of Covid, mental health counseling has become more important than ever. At the same time, practitioners are under more stress than ever. They are seeing more and more younger people, including students who are isolated.
Testifying at a recent U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing, Jodie Lubarsky, Vice President for clinical operations at Youth and Family Services at the Seacoast Mental Health Center in Portsmouth, advocated for more support from the federal government. She joined other mental health experts at that hearing. Podcaster Roger Wood caught up with her to talk about the continuing problems facing the mental health care community.
Bio for Jodie Lubarsky
Jodie earned her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Cincinnati. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in the State of NH and is Vice President of Clinical Operations – Youth and Family Services Director at Seacoast Mental Health Center, Inc. where she has worked for almost 15 years. She has been working with youth and families since 1997. Her professional focus has been on children’s mental health needs, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, family conflict, separation/divorce, child abuse/neglect, child development, parenting, adolescent substance misuse, conduct/disruptive disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Roger Wood is an award winning radio, podcast, newspaper and television journalist, with over 40 years of experience in the media. Roger has spent his entire professional career in New Hampshire. Roger currently serves as associate publisher and podcast producer at InDepthNH.org. In 2021, he was recognized by the New Hampshire Press Association for his work in news podcasts. He has produced news and special feature reports for InDepthNH, New Hampshire Public Radio, NPR, and other public and commercial radio stations. He also produced spot news for CBS Radio. He has produced and narrated some 50 audiobooks and has written three novels. Roger has also moderated political forums for Seacoast Area Chambers of Commerce in Senate, gubernatorial and congressional races. He has also facilitated public policy discussions locally and statewide. Roger and his wife Elaine currently reside in Portsmouth.