Meet Sam Bahr
Lead ITFC Specialist at Lee Carlson Center
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day can really vary in the Intensive Treatment in Foster Care program. I am mostly in the community providing therapy services to my clients at their homes or schools. When I am not meeting with a client or their family, I am in constant communication with county social workers, biological parents, and foster parents to discuss client progress or advocating for my client.
What do you like best about working in the program?
What I like best about working in this program is meeting the client were they are at. Doing in-home or community based work gives me more insight into the client’s life. This work also allows me to see more change in a family system, because I am right there and spend so much time with the families. I also love the team that I work with. As a team we share a lot of families that we work with which makes it more fun. Also we work so closely together that I never feel like I am stuck. I always have someone that I can bounce ideas off of or someone to process challenging cases with.
How have you seen LCC make a difference in the lives of the clients?
I have seen LCC make a huge difference in client’s lives. I have had so many families say that working with an LCC therapist has made a big impact on their family dynamics and has supported them through transitions such as adoption, fostering, or reunification.
What attracted you to this work? What difference has it made in your life?
I have always had a passion for listening. When I was going through graduate school I always told people that I didn’t want to work with kids, but now that I have worked with kids that are highly traumatized I wouldn’t switch for anything. The growth and progress I have seen these kids make is amazing. This work is challenging, but at the same time it makes me feel so fulfilled. Listening to these clients tell their stories and the amount of bravery each one has floors me. I am beyond privileged to work with these clients and to be a part of the ITFC team.