Woman who is visually impaired recognized for vision of the future in the mental health industry

June 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Terri Kruger knows firsthand how hard being different can be. Legally blind and dependent upon a guide dog, Kruger has overcome major obstacles in her journey to becoming a therapist. The Family Service Long Beach (FSLB) trainee was honored by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) Long Beach/South Bay Chapter on June 10 as its “Most Loyal Attendee of the Year.”

Kruger, a masters student at California State Dominguez, did not realize the difficulties that she would face when searching for an organization to complete her required clinical training. Kruger spent more than nine months applying and interviewing with local professionals in the Long Beach area to no avail, often being turned away because of her disability. With some support and encouragement from the professionals with CAMFT, she decided to apply with FSLB in Bellflower.  

Mary Van Valkenburgh, program director of FSLB in Bellflower, saw Kruger as an asset for her clients and the agency as well as an inspiration to the staff. “I work with a number of trainees and was concerned with how Terri would be able to interpret and work with our variety of clients,” Van Valkenburgh said. “She amazed me with her ability to connect and empathize with individuals and families in a way that someone who has not faced the same life struggles could not.”

Van Valkenburgh was also recognized by CAMFT as “Employee of the Year.”

“If I can spread some hope and educate a few [people] about how good life can be when you willingly give a person a chance to contribute and be her best by keeping an open mind and work together to find new ways to accomplish a mutual goal, then my journey will be much more worth the struggle,” Kruger said.

A partnering organization of Aspiranet, one of California’s largest and most innovative social services agency, FSLB was founded in 1933 and offers five programs including counseling for individuals, couples and families, domestic violence prevention classes, drug diversion for at-risk offenders and drug-free counseling for adults. Today, there are two offices in Long Beach, one in Bellflower and one in Lakewood.

For more information about services, please call 562-867-1737.

About Aspiranet
Aspiranet, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity, supports foster children, siblings, families, and the community with 35 core programs offering specialized services through 44 satellite centers within California.

Founded 35 years ago as a six-bed group home for young boys in Moss Beach, Calif., Aspiranet is one of the most diverse nonprofit social service agencies in the state. With a statewide network of innovative services, Aspiranet has touched the lives of over 10,000 families and children since its founding.

Aspiranet’s vision of bringing families together and helping foster children, siblings, and parents thrive is realized through six areas of expertise – Family Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Education, Afterschool programs, and Community Partnerships. For more information, please visit www.aspiranet.org.

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