A Classroom Therapist's Career Path at Watson Institute

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A Classroom Therapist's Career Path... meet Marino Swanson!
Marino is a Classroom Therapist at the Watson Institute's Friendship Academy!
He sat down with us to answer a few questions about his career journey!
Watson Institute: How did you get started in the mental health / special education field?
Marino: I was working in juvenile probation, community monitoring. From there, I was a job readiness counselor that would help kids with employment. I would help them with different emotional needs, help build social skills, soft skills. I did that for roughly 4 1/2 years. I wanted to do more to try to actually help and prevent that type of situation rather than handcuffing a kid and taking them to the detention center.
Watson Institute: What does a Classroom Therapist do?
Marino: Teaching kids how to use social skills. Teaching kids how to cope, using coping skills - taking breaks, going for walks. Pretty much putting out fires anytime a fire has started within the classroom.
Watson Institute: What advice would you offer to new Classroom Therapists?
Marino: You being able to keep that calm temperament, mellow, and showing that charisma makes them want to talk to you even more, makes them want to spend more time with you, makes them want to respect you more. So, strong interpersonal skills are very, very important for this type of fieldwork.
Watson Institute: What is your favorite part of the job?
Marino: At the end of the day, you're always able to look back and smile and think about that student that you built that rapport with and think of all the things that they were doing. And knowing that you helped them grow and you helped them get to where they are by teaching them positive social skills and supporting them through their needs.
About Watson Institute:
For more than 100 years the Watson Institute has established itself as the region’s premiere resource for children with special needs.
The Watson Institute is an educational organization in Western Pennsylvania made up of special education schools, programs, and resources for children with special needs and their families - including outpatient behavioral health services for children and adolescents up to the age of 21. Whether it's an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, neurological impairment or another serious emotional challenge, we are on a mission to help children and youth reach their fullest potential in all aspects of their lives. Our special education school resources and programs also serve as a learning environment for teachers, therapists, and other professionals or pre-professionals who serve those children.
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