Faces of ASCEND: Meet Devereux TCV Outpatient Therapist Jamaca Chavis

Thanks to ASCEND, Devereux TCV Community Services Outpatient Therapist Jamaca Chavis is taking college classes to become a licensed professional counselor.

“Devereux ASCEND is a blessing. I’m back in school and taking the classes I need to become a licensed professional counselor. I will be eternally grateful for this program.”
– Jamaca Chavis, Devereux TCV outpatient therapist

Jamaca Chavis joined Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health TCV Community Services in 2022 as an outpatient therapist. At that time, Chavis was looking to return to a therapist role after taking a break to cope with personal challenges.

“My son, who had cerebral palsy, passed away in 2010. I was working as a therapist at a drug and alcohol treatment facility and needed to step back. I learned you can’t take care of other people until you take care of yourself,” Chavis shared. “The break was necessary and helpful, but being a therapist has always been my passion and I missed it. Then, I applied for a position at Devereux TCV Community Services, and all the pieces fell into place.”

On the path to success

Chavis is thriving in her role – and achieving her professional goals. At the encouragement of her supervisor, who she knew from graduate school, she completed her National Counselor Examination (NCE).

Then, Chavis learned about the Devereux ASCEND Career Accelerator Program. While she had obtained enough credits to earn her master’s degree in counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in 2008, she was 12 credits shy of earning her licensure as a professional counselor. With ASCEND’s tuition assistance benefit, which provides team members with financial assistance to help ease the burden of continuing education, Chavis is back at IUP. Read a previous news article on ASCEND’s financial education resources, including tuition assistance.

“Passing my NCE gave me the confidence and motivation to earn my licensure, which I am on track to accomplish this spring,” Chavis said. “Devereux ASCEND launched at the perfect time, and it’s been a smooth process. This confirms to me that when you’re on the right path, everything will work out.”

As she looks forward to what the future holds for her career, Chavis has this advice for colleagues who may be considering participating in ASCEND: “Don’t let fear hinder you from taking advantage of this opportunity – it could change the trajectory of your entire life.”

Achieve your career goals!

Want to take your career to new heights? Devereux is hiring for a wide range of positions, all enhanced by Devereux ASCEND. Find your dream job today – visit jobs.devereux.org/ascend.

Because Devereux is where great careers soar!

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