The Career Launch Program

Our Unique Career Mentorship Track

Sylvia Brafman’s Career Launch program aims to channel the great potential for career success that many patients hold deep within, but have yet to realize due to the impact of mental health on their ability to move forward. The program is focused on helping patients succeed in their careers once they leave treatment. Personally designed and facilitated by CEO Jaime Blaustein, the Career Launch program consists of 5 phases: Contextualization, Reflection, Consideration, Preparation, and Execution..

Navigating a career as someone who is recovering comes with its own set of challenges. We hold our patients’ hands as they navigate that process, which is often accompanied by fear of failure among other logistical headwinds.

Provides context through a detailed discussion of:

• Educational background
• Work experience to date
• Potential obstacles (legal issues, long gaps out of the workforce)

Establishes important criteria needed to answer the question: “What do I want to do?”

Discussion of relative importance assigned to various criteria including:

• Compensation – total amount, frequency paid, salary vs. commission vs. bonus
• Work/ Life balance
• Enjoyment of the day-to-day tasks
• Work environment – cultural norms, in person vs. virtual
• Opportunity for growth vs. stability

Sector (technology, healthcare, foodservice, real estate, etc.) vs. Function (sales, marketing, operations, finance, etc.) – on which do I place greater emphasis?

• Which naturally appeal most to me?
• Which enable me to leverage my experience?
• Which require additional training or education?

Outcome of Phase III: 3-5 targeted career paths to pursue

Action steps to prepare for transitioning or continuing down the path towards the desired career

• Research into day-to-day tasks, common stressors, typical salaries, exit opportunities
• Networking: establishing contact with natural networks, Linked In, and job boards
• Mock interview with Mr. Blaustein and his peers from various leadership positions in finance, consulting, technology and other sectors

Pursing chosen career with proper balance of intense focus and measured level-headedness

• This will take place either immediately after treatment for PHP and concurrently in IOP / OP
• Opportunity for regular check-ins on an ongoing basis

Let Your Experience Become Your Strength

We believe that confronting the challenges associated with mental illness or substance abuse and rising above them creates a more fulsome person. Our CEO has found that these trials and tribulations often translate to success in the workplace with the proper guidance. The tools we use to achieve mental wellness and recovery have practical applications in the real world. Our recovery-aware career program helps our patients and alumni leverage those strengths properly.

Purpose is Therapeutic

The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center is dedicated to complete recovery. Our career program recognizes that part of recovery is re-entering the world and engaging with it. A sense of purpose and meaning is important to recovery as is the pride in providing for one’s self. Landing your dream job immediately after treatment isn’t always in the cards, but that’s not the critical determinant of success. What matters is getting back in the saddle with confidence and purpose. That’s what the SBMHC Career Launch program aims to provide.