Mandy Krzysiak, BS, M.S.S '25 is part of Bryn Mawr's GSSWSR GSA Leadership Council, and has experience in providing one-on-one psychotherapy services to multiple populations, with a focus on eating disorder care. We spoke to Mandy about her social work experience and GSSWSR journey!
Could you discuss your career and experiences leading up to admission in the GSSWSR?
I graduated from Goldey Beacom College with a degree in psychology. Originally, I wanted to pursue a clinical doctorate in psychology and pursue psychological testing; however, after meeting several social workers, I veered toward social work. My Aunt Marcie was born with Down Syndrome and towards the end of her life, many social workers supported her. The interesting thing? The social workers supported her in different aspects of her care. That's sort of what drew me to the field-the ability to have career "options." On an even more personal note, I was diagnosed with an incurable, progressive, autoimmune disease that affects my nerves, and within my own care, I saw the direct impact social workers had on my healing. Whether it was a case manager ensuring my medical supplies would be sent to my home or a hospital social worker providing support during admissions, social workers were in essence, everywhere.
Could you discuss your field placement from your foundation and advanced year, what your roles have looked like, and what you enjoy from the placement experiences?
During my foundation year, I was placed at Lower Merion Counseling and Mobile Services, a Resources for Human Development (RHD) program/site. I primarily assisted with intakes and provided 1:1 psychotherapy to clients whose therapists were on vacation or out on leave. I also made an hour-long presentation on suspecting and treating eating disorders in community mental health. My foundational year internship set me up for success for my specialist year. This year, I was placed at The Understory Group, a small, private practice in Media, PA. Their focus is on the queer and trans population in Delaware County (and surrounding areas) as well as treating common behavioral health challenges such as depression, anxiety, body image, eating disorders, and borderline personality disorder. My supervisor, Nat Adey, LCSW, has been such an incredible mentor, and I'm so grateful for her education and expertise. I've learned how to schedule clients, document in an EHR called Sessions, I write weekly blog posts, as well as learn the ins and outs of working in a smaller agency. I've successfully carried a small caseload of clients ranging in age from 11 to 49. Personally, my niche is eating disorders, and with that diagnosis comes extensive collateral care. It's typical for me to collaborate with many team members throughout the work from dietitians to psychiatrists, ensuring my client's needs are met.
Could you discuss your experience with the Graduate Student Association Leadership Council?
I saw a poster in the hall looking for students to run for the GSA. I thought, "why not? I am social and enjoy community outreach, what's there to lose!" The GSA is, what I would call, under new "branding." This year, Cheri, Ben, and I have been working towards marketing the GSA and ensuring the entire GSSWSR knows they are a part of the organization, too. With that, we are currently drafting bylaws and other pertinent information for the incoming GSA officers in hopes to provide more structure and clarity of roles. For me, since eating disorders are such a huge part of my clinical practice, I have planned to focus a lot of time and energy on an eating disorder bulletin board for eating disorder awareness week as well as a "Lived Experience Panel."
Overall, my time in the GSA has made me appreciate connection even more. Meeting new students and catching up with familiar faces has truly made my experience at Bryn Mawr that much better. The alliance among the GSA and the faculty and staff at Bryn Mawr is also such a unique relationship. Dean Shapiro has met with us every semester (sometimes more) and has always been open to exploring our ideas and thoughts. I think that encapsulates the Bryn Mawr experience, too-it's a place where we aren't a "number", and where our presence, ideas, and voices are valued. I'm going to miss Bryn Mawr so much, but I know that I'll visit often!