Marina Salinas
SASS Therapist
Published: March 8, 2018
What is your job role at Family Service Association?
I am a SASS (Screen Assessment and Support Services) therapist. My position requires me to provide case management services to clients and their families who have received a SASS evaluation. Case management can include making referrals to services, coordinating with hospital staff on discharge planning, or with school staff on transitions back to school from a hospital stay. I also provide short term therapy services to those clients who were referred through the SASS program in order to stabilize them after a crisis.
Why did you choose Family Service Association of Greater Elgin Area?
I first began as an intern in 2015 when I was studying for my Master’s degree. I chose FSA because I was wanted to work for an organization that helped children and families and had a strong connection to their community. I stayed with FSA after I completed my internship because of the great team this agency has, and the commitment FSA has to providing accessible mental health services to this area.
If you had to give a 2-minute elevator speech on what you do every day, what would you say?
I would say that it is a combination of checking emails, making MANY phone calls to hospital staff, client’s family members, driving, and meeting with clients for therapy sessions. It would also throw in the occasional crisis assessment if I am on call.
What is the favorite part of working in the mental health field?
The best part of working in the mental health field is the ability to make an impact on the lives of others.
What is the favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is working with clients and their family, and building rapport and working alongside my clients to support positive change.
Who has had the most influence on your work career?
I can’t definitively say one person had a large influence on my work career, but I have been fortunate to have been able to work with really smart, driven, and hard working people throughout my career (from my first job at KFC to now) that have driven me to keep going, help others, be kind, and work hard. It was a culmination of many influential co-workers and supervisors that have inspired me and still do!
What is your favorite quote?
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage”. -Anaïs Nin
If you could meet someone, dead or alive, who would it be?
JK Rowling, because she wrote one of the best fiction series and inspired a love of reading in me.
People would be surprised if they knew I….
... am very indecisive!
If you could pick a superpower what would it be?
The ability to clean with a snap! (Think Mary Poppins!)
Favorite Food?
Green curry with chicken. The spicier to better!
Weirdest thing you've ever eaten?
Frog legs
What is the most interesting place that you've visited?
Taos, New Mexico