Jacquelyn Gilde is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – a Master's level Social Worker with extensive professional training and expertise in mental health. She joins Mindful Care as the new Clinical Director, drawing on her history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry.
She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Outpatient and Inpatient settings and will be supporting the MindFit therapists.
How did you become involved in mental healthcare?
I grew up in the generation of those struggling with opioid addiction. I left for college and came back home to find people who I cared about and who had promising futures struggling with addiction. It is because of this and my other experiences that I hold this mission near and dear to my heart. It is something that drives me every day. I realized then that there had to be something more going on and became interested in learning about addiction and mental health.
I got in the field right away and went straight into working in the addiction and mental health space, completing my undergrad in social work before going on to study a Master of Social Work (MSW), with a specialization in health and a sub-specialization in alcohol and substance abuse.
Everything in my life has happened for a reason and I believe it has allowed me to be a better clinician.
Working at Mindful aligns with all my values and what I believe as a person as well as a professional.
What do you hope to achieve in your new role?
I would like to help patients access the care that they need. That is what spoke to me most about Mindful.
I previously worked with Dr. Aldad in a hospital setting. We would see patients and know they needed a certain level of care, but we're finding that this care was not readily accessible. Our patients would be placed on waitlist for services that they needed immediately.
I really would like to see that we are treating as many patients as possible while providing the best quality care. I want to be a part of the expansion of Mindfit and Micro therapy. I want Mindful to be a part of the solution. It is important to me that each patient has a positive experience with Mindful. They should know and feel that we are here for them in their times of need.
What’s something you’re proud of?
I am most proud of being a woman working in this field. But also, being a mother and raising a daughter at the same time. I have the privilege of having the opportunity to lead by example and I get to show her all that she can accomplish.
It’s hard to explain to a 3-year-old what I do so I show her by living our everyday lives with compassion and empathy. My proudest moments are when she shows her concern for others. She has a huge heart and I would like to think that is because she is being raised by a social worker and an extremely loving and caring father and family.
Whether I am at work or at home it is important to me that I get to be my authentic self. Finding a role that aligns with my professional and personal values meant the world to me. It is no surprise that I ended up at Mindful. I have believed in the mission and the company long before I came on board and am honored to be a part of this exceptional team
What motivates you at work? Who inspires you?
I find that most of my motivation and inspiration comes from my colleagues and the patients that we treat. It goes hand in hand.
Working with passionate people is extremely motivating and inspirational. I love being around professionals who push one another to grow as well as who are extremely committed to the clientele we serve. I take much pride in being a leader who cares deeply about the growth of those around me but also love to learn from those I work with.
It takes a special type of person to go to a startup. You must be motivated, innovative, and passionate about the mission. You will find that here at Mindful. Everyone here is here for all of the right reasons and you feel that when you speak to each person. The work environment and energy that we are surrounded by is extremely positive, which I believe trickles down to the patient's experience.
What is something important you’ve learned from a colleague?
My colleagues are the reason I am who I am today. In this field, you can get burnt out quickly. We do challenging work and hear difficult things.
In each chapter of my career, I have met someone who pushed or challenged me. I may not have understood at the time but I now know that each person has served a purpose in my life even those who I did not have a positive experience with. I am extremely grateful for those who saw something in me from the beginning of my career and who chose to uplift, motivate, and teach me. It is because of the knowledge they have shared with me that I am where I am today.
I will never forget those who chose to serve as mentors. It is because of them that I lead from an educational standpoint. I take much pride in my strong boundaries and commitment to ethics and I know that is because of who I was trained by.
What is the best book you’ve read recently? Or one that has most greatly influenced you?
There is something about “The Secret” that really spoke to me years back. I am a firm believer in the law of attraction. I have watched how my thoughts have become my reality even when those thoughts seemed unrealistic. I really try to be a positive influence and make it a point to bring positive energy even into the toughest of situations.
Naturally, I am a perfectionist so I have to make it a point to remind myself to slow down and appreciate life.
How do you manage your own mental health?
I really lean on my support system. When I say that, I sometimes mean my spouse or my family, but I also have a core group of colleagues and friends that support each other. Some of these people are the reason I got into the field to begin with and know me better than I know myself at times. I am fortunate to have a spouse who is extremely supportive and understanding as well. He has been with me long before the career. He watched me put myself through college and graduate school and proofread many papers back then. That hasn’t changed now. He is always open to hearing my challenges, accomplishments, and sometimes me just rambling about my ideas.
I am also quick to call myself out. I always tell my patients that they need to tell someone when they are not okay. If I am feeling overwhelmed, I call myself out and hold myself accountable and speak to someone or do whatever I need to so that I can cope with how I am feeling.
I like to meditate, as well, and have created a bathtub meditation for myself. When I am feeling stressed, you can find me in the bathtub with candles lit. It really allows me to cleanse any negative energy. After I have cleansed, I let it all go down the drain and leave it there.
What keeps you up at night?
My planning and excitement for what is to come. If something fun or exciting is coming up, I will stay up in bed planning for it. We recently purchased a new home so lately, I am up designing, picking out paint colors and furniture. Interior design is something I love, so although I may be losing sleep at least I am having fun.
