Kristy Wrigley studied political science in college
and started her career working in residential care with at-risk children. She ran a group home in Burlington for five
years. She spent time outside, engaging
the kids in therapeutic outdoor activities.
They went camping, building deep connections amid nature’s peacefulness.
“I wanted to go live outdoors for a few
years,” Kristy said with a smile.
She began a
Masters in Mental Health Counseling at Trinity College and interned with Mike
Gray at The Howard Center in Burlington.
He worked with children who experienced significant sexual abuse.
“Mike was
an incredibly influential mentor for me,” Kristy said.
Kristy
completed her degree and wrote a grant to support treatment for children with
challenging sexual behaviors. The grant
was funded and she worked for Washington County Mental Health Services. Her clients included those convicted of
sexual offenses and those at risk of committing a sexual crime. At the same time, she provided clinical
consultation at a specialized camp, facilitating groups and providing therapy. She then worked in private practice and as a
contractor for the Vermont Department for Children and Families. She became the Clinical Director of
Comprehensive Care at The Howard Center’s Jarrett House, guiding program
development.
Kristy’s association
with Laraway began three years ago; she provided consultative services in her
specialty area. Today, she is on
Laraway’s staff as the Clinical Supervisor at Laraway School. Kristy supervises and supports the clinicians
working directly with students. She
supervises all treatment plans, making sure treatment is integrated with
educational goals and insuring Medicaid compliance. She also provides individual and group
therapy for students, including initiating a Girls’ Group to foster open
dialogue and positive peer relationships.
“I love
working at Laraway, I really do,” Kristy said.
“The atmosphere is really positive and the students respond to
that. I love the property and how the
outdoors are seamlessly embedded in the curriculum. My roots are in wilderness therapy and Laraway
is a great fit for me. People here are
very committed and constantly asking the question, ‘What is good for the student?’”
Asked about
her approach to clinical supervision, Kristy thought for a moment and said,
“For better or worse, I’m a pretty direct person. It’s the Philly girl in me. (Kristy grew up near Philadelphia.) I try to be direct. I also try to empower. I want to know what my supervisees’ passions
are. I want them to feel empowered to go
in there and do what they think is right for a kid. I provide a scaffold. Within those parameters, a clinician is
afforded all this room to make the work their own. Providing consistent clinical supervision is
also very important. People need to have
it every week to make sure they’re doing good work and that there’s a place to share it.”
Kristy
commented on all the good work happening at Laraway School. “Kids are getting clinical offerings every
day. There’s all this sensory stuff
going on and outdoor adventure education is amazing. Kids will behave in a positive way when their
sensory input is aligned. Some kids need a little; some need a lot. We’re here to provide what they need, as
individuals.”
A question
Kristy ponders in her work, and ancillary research, is: How does Laraway become increasingly
evidence-based and outcomes-based? This
is a tall order, but one that can’t be ignored as we strive to prepare students
for happy, healthy independent lives.
