“I have the desire to give back to people who I know have it worse than I do,” said Jordan Lopuszanski, therapist at CODAC’s First Avenue site.
He is referring to the emotional and physical struggles that he has endured and overcome as a result of visual impairments he was born with.
“The impairments led to more than just physical issues but also mental ones, including anxiety and depression,” said Jordan. His first eye surgery took place at the age of five and since then he has had over 20 different ocular procedures. Just last year, Jordan experienced bleeding in his left eye which he feared would result in permanent vision loss.
“I had to really reach out to family, friends, and my faith for support.” Jordan worried that the possibility of having two bad eyes would forever change his life. He became depressed but through the support he found in his friends, family, and faith, he was able to get through it.
These first-hand experiences with physical limitations and mental health issues make it easier for Jordan to relate to CODAC members. “As funny as it sounds, having those hemorrhages has made me a better therapist. I feel like I have more compassion for members who have depression,” said Jordan.
Jordan’s career with CODAC began at First Avenue as a care manager shortly after graduating from Arizona State University with a Master’s of Social Work. “I feel honored to have been a case manager,” said Jordan. “It was extremely tough, and taught me a lot about this field. I learned how to look at the problems a member faces as more than just emotional,” he said. Jordan also learned about how connecting members to community resources is essential to meeting their basic needs so they can have a strong foundation for recovery.
In June of last year, Jordan applied for the position of therapist after much persuasion from a former CODAC therapist. “I had my education but I did not have the experience,” explained Jordan. However, after two years as a care manager, Jordan took the opportunity to apply for the position and was offered the job.
“What I like about being a therapist is that you get to build deeper relationships with members. You get to think outside of the box when it comes to what types of interventions to use,” he explained.
Though he greatly enjoys providing therapy for members, hearing about the struggles and sometimes traumatic pasts can be an emotional weight.
“You can be the most positive person in the world, and every time you hear about terrible things [in members’ lives] it depletes some of your joy and happiness.” For this reason, Jordan makes it a priority to take care of himself.
“I am learning to better take care of myself when I am not at work,” said Jordan. In implementing his own wellness routine, Jordan enjoys taking vacations over the summer to recharge and clear his mind, watching funny television shows such as Family Guy, and even having a good cry while watching Grey’s Anatomy.
Jordan’s motivational character is apparent not only in his personal life, but in how he treats CODAC members.
He has learned that through support, hope, and motivation he has overcome obstacles. His hopes are that members at CODAC are able to do the same.
“I am a firm believer in trying to speak hope into our members’ lives and to encourage them to persevere through anything because it worked for me.”
MORE ABOUT JORDAN:
Jordan will embark on a two week vacation to Japan this summer with his family. Jordan’s grandmother is eager to learn more about her Japanese roots.
Jordan participates in endurance training activities as part of his self-care routine. He rode in El Tour de Tucson and did the Tough Mudder, a 12-mile obstacle course. “Because of my eyes, I wasn’t able to play sports well, so overcoming obstacle courses and endurance challenges mean a lot to me.”
Advice for other CODAC staff:
“As we continue to stick together, we should remind ourselves that we are making a difference in Tucson and to remember for all of us to continue self-care.”
“I have the desire to give back to people who I know have it worse than I do,” said Jordan Lopuszanski, therapist at CODAC’s First Avenue site.
He is referring to the emotional and physical struggles that he has endured and overcome as a result of visual impairments he was born with.
“The impairments led to more than just physical issues but also mental ones, including anxiety and depression,” said Jordan. His first eye surgery took place at the age of five and since then he has had over 20 different ocular procedures. Just last year, Jordan experienced bleeding in his left eye which he feared would result in permanent vision loss.
“I had to really reach out to family, friends, and my faith for support.” Jordan worried that the possibility of having two bad eyes would forever change his life. He became depressed but through the support he found in his friends, family, and faith, he was able to get through it.
These first-hand experiences with physical limitations and mental health issues make it easier for Jordan to relate to CODAC members. “As funny as it sounds, having those hemorrhages has made me a better therapist. I feel like I have more compassion for members who have depression,” said Jordan.
Jordan’s career with CODAC began at First Avenue as a care manager shortly after graduating from Arizona State University with a Master’s of Social Work. “I feel honored to have been a case manager,” said Jordan. “It was extremely tough, and taught me a lot about this field. I learned how to look at the problems a member faces as more than just emotional,” he said. Jordan also learned about how connecting members to community resources is essential to meeting their basic needs so they can have a strong foundation for recovery.
In June of last year, Jordan applied for the position of therapist after much persuasion from a former CODAC therapist. “I had my education but I did not have the experience,” explained Jordan. However, after two years as a care manager, Jordan took the opportunity to apply for the position and was offered the job.
“What I like about being a therapist is that you get to build deeper relationships with members. You get to think outside of the box when it comes to what types of interventions to use,” he explained.
Though he greatly enjoys providing therapy for members, hearing about the struggles and sometimes traumatic pasts can be an emotional weight.
“You can be the most positive person in the world, and every time you hear about terrible things [in members’ lives] it depletes some of your joy and happiness.” For this reason, Jordan makes it a priority to take care of himself.
“I am learning to better take care of myself when I am not at work,” said Jordan. In implementing his own wellness routine, Jordan enjoys taking vacations over the summer to recharge and clear his mind, watching funny television shows such as Family Guy, and even having a good cry while watching Grey’s Anatomy.
Jordan’s motivational character is apparent not only in his personal life, but in how he treats CODAC members.
He has learned that through support, hope, and motivation he has overcome obstacles. His hopes are that members at CODAC are able to do the same.
“I am a firm believer in trying to speak hope into our members’ lives and to encourage them to persevere through anything because it worked for me.”
MORE ABOUT JORDAN:
Jordan will embark on a two week vacation to Japan this summer with his family. Jordan’s grandmother is eager to learn more about her Japanese roots.
Jordan participates in endurance training activities as part of his self-care routine. He rode in El Tour de Tucson and did the Tough Mudder, a 12-mile obstacle course. “Because of my eyes, I wasn’t able to play sports well, so overcoming obstacle courses and endurance challenges mean a lot to me.”
Advice for other CODAC staff:
“As we continue to stick together, we should remind ourselves that we are making a difference in Tucson and to remember for all of us to continue self-care.”
When not in the First Avenue office, you can find Katrina Rodriguez enjoying her favored
physical activities: running and yoga. “Yoga centers me and keeps me out of my head. It focuses me and brings me back to the present moment,” said Katrina.
Yoga, a form of moving meditation, is one of several that Katrina embraces. Meditation and exercise are tools that Katrina utilizes to keep her life in balance outside of work.
Katrina began working for CODAC shortly after graduating from the University of Arizona in May of 2011. She chose to enter the behavioral health field to fuel her compassion towards others. “I like helping people,” said Katrina. “I like feeling like what I do makes a difference and going home each day knowing that what I did is some type of contribution, even if it is small.”
As a Care Manager II, Katrina’s role includes coordination of behavioral health services for members. “I make sure that members get the services that they need, follow up with them on the treatment plans as well as identify ways to reach their goals,” said Katrina. Additionally, Care Managers provide supportive services to enhance the effectiveness of treatment goals whether it is community outreach, education regarding programs and services, or crisis intervention.
The only reported down side to Katrina’s role is the paperwork, she emphasized. “There is a lot of paperwork and it’s actually harder than working with the members,” she joked. “Working with members is the best part.”
Things can certainly get interesting around the office, however, as Katrina recalled one of the most interesting days she’s had. “CPSA put out an alert that we needed to move all of our members out of a board and care ASAP and the supervisors and site director were all at training.” Katrina and one other person were responsible for doing this within a very limited time frame. “It was stressful, but kind of exciting because of the pressure.”
In Katrina’s role, she often times will refer members to resources within the community. However, Katrina’s favorite resource is her co-workers. “They each have an individual wealth of knowledge that they are always more than willing to share,” she explained.
Katrina explained that the reward of her job at CODAC is witnessing the positive changes in members over time. “I see people grow and overcome obstacles. They are able to handle things more independently.” Through her role, she, too, is able to make positive impacts in the lives of CODAC members.
“I fell into the behavioral health field because $11.00 an hour seemed like a lot of money,” giggled Christine Perez, Care Coordinator at CODAC’s Downtown Site. When Christine first entered this field in 1986, she followed the career path of her relatives who also worked in behavioral health.
Christine worked at various facilities while living in Albany, New York, including the first residential facility for the treatment of the “Mentally Ill and Chemically Addicted” (MICA) where she taught living skills and activities of daily living.
In need of a scenery change and enticed by Tucson’s warm winters, Christine decided to make the move to the southwest at the age of 27.
She began her work at CODAC as a case manager at the East site and soon after, transitioned into a supervisor role. She is currently a care coordinator at the Downtown site’s Recovery Bridge where she has been for the past two years. Christine is responsible for the intake assessments, general case management related duties, and runs the intensive outpatient Basic Recovery Group.
“One of the challenges of my job is trying to get people to actually identify that they need assistance,” said Christine. “My goal is to get them to acknowledge they need help without being forced to do so,” she added.
Outside of those challenges, Christine finds heartfelt passion in the behavioral health profession. “This isn’t the type of job where you get a lot of kudos. You have to be dedicated to working with people and be willing to meet them where they are at.” Christine said. “You really have to care.”
It’s the little achievements that make Christine’s career worthwhile. “You need to look at those small steps that members make, like showing up to an appointment, coming to group consistently, and being reunited with their families.”
Christine presented a card that had been sent to her by a member who she had previously worked with. This member is currently at Las Amigas, residential treatment facility for pregnant and postpartum women with substance abuse disorders. The card reads:
“…I am 53 days sober today! Las Amigas is great and I am doing very well. Because of you I am safe and getting the help I so desperately need. I have never been sober this long in my entire life! … Thank you for helping me get the chance to help myself.”
Mementos such as these are why Christine works at CODAC. “This member was extremely challenging,” said Christine. “But now she is doing better and has been reunited with her family.”
CODAC Behavioral Health Services has programs that are accredited by CARF International and licensed by the Arizona Department of Heath Services/Office of Behavioral Health Licensure.
