By Julie T. Steck, Ph.D., HSPP
In August 1974, I began my career working with children as a Teacher of the Deaf. Moving forward, I never paused in taking the next step – pursuing a master’s degree in school psychology, working at the Indiana School for the Deaf and moving to California to work at the California School for the Deaf. In 1980 I returned to Indiana to pursue a doctoral degree in School Psychology, had the opportunity to do an internship and work at Riley Hospital Child Development Center, and then moved to private practice. Along the way, I married and had three children. I gained a daughter-in-law and have embraced two grandchildren.
In 1993 we established Children’s Resource Group (CRG) and that entity became my fourth child. In the past 40+ years, I have never looked back and have valued every minute of my time working with children, adolescents and families and collaborating with other professionals. However, I have struggled with looking to the future in the waning years of my career.
What I have valued about the past is getting to know and work with children and their families, following them through the difficult times and the successes. I have valued knowing other professionals and working in a collaborative way. This has been my passion and, in many ways, it has defined who I am and how I spend my time. In order to thrive in the next stage of life, it is important that I redefine who I am, what I do, and how to spend my time after CRG.
As I have tried to determine the best steps forward, I have decided that I need to step out for a time. Thus, I will be taking a sabbatical (my term) from June 15, 2017 until September 15, 2017. At that time, I will step back in on a part-time basis. In striving to provide good care to the children and families I see, I will need to limit my ongoing individual and family therapy. I will be available to see children and adolescents for consultations and evaluations, including evaluations of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disorders, and complex medication and emotional/behavioral difficulties. I plan to continue to provide Educational Consultations and second opinions.
As mentioned previously, CRG has been like a child to me. I am fortunate to work with a group of dedicated, knowledgeable and compassionate colleagues. Throughout the summer of 2017, I will be available to our staff to consult on the needs of existing patients and to assist in helping our staff know how to meet the needs of new and existing patients. If I am currently seeing you and/or your child on a regular basis, we will mutually decide on a plan going forward. If I have not seen you or your child in some time, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you this spring or in the fall upon my return to CRG.
It is my goal, and the goal of my colleagues at CRG, to ensure that your needs are met without interruption and that you receive the highest level of care available. Please feel free to contact our intake office at (317) 575-9111, ext. 214, if you have any questions.
Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to have known and worked with you and your family.
