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Carrie Lambert

13 August 2017

Interview

Who am I?

My name is Herk Iames and I have lived a blessed life. Ive had the opportunity to travel the

country meeting new and exciting people of various cultures. I have scuba dove with many

different forms of marine life including a Humpback Whale and her new born calf off the coast

of Maui. I also enjoy playing golf, reading, and getting together with my friends. Professionally,

I have a MSW, LSW, and LICDC. I have been working in the field of psychology for

approximately twenty-five years. I have worked with teenagers, women, police officers, doctors,

nurses, teachers, and many other professional staff members.

How I Got Here

I began college as a non-traditional student interested in a degree that I could work with children

and adolescents. I attended Northern Kentucky University obtaining my Bachelors of Science

Degree in Human Services/ Mental Health. As an undergraduate I knew that I wanted to make a

career out of working with adolescents and because of this, I began gearing myself for

specialized classes and thinking about my Masters degree. After graduation, I began working at

Talbert House Alternatives, a residential Drug and Alcohol treatment program for Adolescents,

as a Residential Assistant.

Putting Psychology to Work

I am the supervisor for Pressley Ridge, a non-profit, Treatment Foster Care Network. We are

located in New York, Maryland, West Virginal, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, and Spain. We
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have 57 children in Foster Care and have over 55 foster families. I supervise staff, foster homes,

and children in those homes. I work closely with funders to ensure policy and procedures are

being adhered to. I work with the funders to match children with the appropriate families to

ensure their success. I also work faithfully with the court systems in providing the court with

testimony, written reports, and other documentation as needed. Many of the children in our

Foster Care have mental health issues. I have witnessed children expressing anger, sadness, and

some the desire to harm themselves. On staff at Pressley Ridge has their own psychiatrist on

staff, but we also work diligently with Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Centers Psych

Departments because of these problems.

Inside My Job: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The best part of my job is when a child is successfully discharged from our program either

through Independent Living, re-unifying with their biological parents, or getting adopted. The

bad part of my job is working with children whom have lost their parents either because of

voluntarily giving up their rights or having their rights terminated by the court system. The ugly

and heartbreaking part of my job is helplessly watching a child destroy their futures because of

committing violent crimes or the use of drugs or alcohol.

Take It from Me

The most rewarding part of my career path that inspires me every day is the opportunity to watch

a child grow before your very eyes. Many children have learned not to trust adults because they

have been hurt, let down, lied to, or even forgotten about. These children have learned to survive

alone and trust only themselves. Its extremely rewarding to see a child begin to trust again. I am

at the beginning of the end of my career but Pressley Ridge is a dedicated agency that will

remain helping children for many years to come. Through my many years of studying
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psychology, I would strongly recommend obtaining a Masters degree in Social Work. This

degree will open many rewarding doors for employment for you.