The Power of Not Knowing

Jeff Levy, LCSW
(originally posted on Branching Out: The Live Oak Blog, April 2014)

After I received my bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy, my first job was at Adler Mental Health Center,  a state psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents.  Adler was where I “cut my teeth” as a mental health professional, and a place where I worked with incredibly smart, committed, and dedicated people.  Located in Champaign, Adler had the benefit of also being connected to the University of Illinois. 
 
Most of us were U of I alumni.  Many of us were pursuing advanced degrees, so Adler also served as a rich source for research.  We fought hard when the governor announced he intended to close Adler.  Despite community support and advocacy efforts, however, Adler closed its doors in 1982.  I’m providing this background information to give some context to my acceptance of “not knowing.”

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