Certified in Nutrition & Integrative Medicine through theLeslie Korn Institute Beth Lorell’s Bio: Beth Lorell, LCSW, MPH is a therapist and mental health consultant. She has been practicing social work for more than 20 years in clinical, administrative and leadership positions. Beth also has a master’s degree in public health. She currently runs a private practice for older teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression and trauma. She offers specialized therapy for athletes. Beth advises organizations on strengthening infrastructure to support mental health and well-being in the workplace. What life events or challenges that you’ve experienced (could be minor, could be major) – whether you’ve experienced them directly or via someone close to you, have had any type of impact on your desire to pursue a career in psychology? As a shy little girl, I spent much of my time listening and observing. I had a strong sense of curiosity and compassion for people’s stories. At age seven, I witnessed a boy “in distress” kicking and screaming while being carried by his arms and legs into a hospital. Although I did not know the circumstances, I remember feeling horrified to see such a person suffering. To this day, I can picture the scene and see his young face. This experience sparked my pursuit to ease the pain of others. How did those events impact you emotionally/morally? How, if at all did those events impact the way you view how our current system teaches us to treat patients with mental health challenges? I did not have the language to describe my emotions at the time, but I now know that seeing the boy in distress was a traumatic experience that tapped into my empathy. It influenced my desire to guide people through their struggles and help them live their most fulfilling lives utilizing compassionate & integrative care.