DIRECT CARE PROVIDER TO AN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLE, ELYSIA NEUBERT KEEPS IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE

Isn’t it good to know help is there if you need it? When you need help for yourself or someone you love for a mental health or substance abuse concern, there is someone who makes sure the call for help is answered. That someone is Elysia Neubert.

Neubert is Prairie St. John’s intake department director—she’s responsible for hiring, training, and supervising the counselors who staff the department and provide needs assessment and referral services in consultation with the on-call physicians. The safety and facilitation of access to services for individuals who may be experiencing psychiatric emergencies is important work, and Neubert takes it very seriously. As the person behind the people, she can frequently be found lending a hand wherever needed.

Neubert initially worked at Prairie St. John’s as a behavioral health technician during her undergraduate studies at North Dakota State University. “Working as a BHT is actually what inspired me to apply for graduate school, so I could be more directly involved with treatment,” she said.

“I love the department and the staff. The variety of tasks makes the role interesting, and we are able to connect so many people with the help they need. I am fortunate to work with a group of people who also finds our role very rewarding,” she said.

When opportunities arise, Neubert enjoys representing Prairie St. John’s as a member of the Safe Communities Coalition at meetings with other professionals as well as at community events.

As a licensed professional counselor since 2008, Neubert has also provided supervision for other professionals to advance to licensed professional counselors.

While growing up in Mahnomen, MN, family was very important to Neubert, and it still is today. Her parents continue to reside in Mahnomen. She has two siblings and seven nieces and nephews. “I’m very close with my family, and we are sure to plan parties/ meals for every single birthday and holiday. I don’t have children of my own, so I thoroughly enjoy having fun with my nieces and nephews,” she said.

From behavioral healthcare needs assessment and referral services provider, to her role on the organizational leadership team, Elysia Neubert works every day to ensure help is available when it’s needed. And that’s good to know. [AWM]