Amy Tharp, a licensed clinical social worker for Porter County Education Services, balances work as a school counselor with her private practice. Her career is guided by a Christ-focused mission to help break the stigma surrounding counseling and to prioritize seeking help in a troubled world.
Tharp's decision to pursue social work began at a community college in her small hometown of Geneseo, Illinois. Her conversation with a professor of social work, Karla Miley, sparked an epiphany for the impressionable Tharp.
“Karla Miley was so excited about the whole profession of social work, especially in how it can help people change their lives. She explained how the role was not telling people what to do, but rather supporting them in their decisions, and I realized that was exactly what I wanted to do,” Tharp said.
Tharp pursued her education at Valparaiso University. In 1990, she achieved her Bachelor of Social Work.
Tharp initiated her career as a discharge planner at Northwest Health - Porter for about 15 years. In 2003, she took the executive decision to obtain her Master of Social Work at Indiana University Northwest. Her graduation propelled her into the difficult but rewarding process of becoming a licensed clinical social worker.
“In the state of Indiana, in order to become a social worker, you have to be licensed. You can be a licensed social worker with just a bachelor’s degree, but you have to take and pass an exam. Then, you have to get a master’s degree followed by two years of supervision. Next, you take another difficult exam. The result is a license that allows you to practice clinically in the state,” Tharp said.
After securing her credentials, Tharp pursued full-time clinical social work. In 2004, she began her ongoing role as a school social worker for Porter County Education Services. Her position provides counseling and case management services to Valparaiso Community Schools.
“I am a K-12 special education social worker. I make rounds to different schools depending on the students who are in need of services. I consult with teachers and provide them with support and ideas on how to better help the kids. I help these kids with specific organizational, emotional, coping, and social skills to make their education more meaningful to them,” Tharp said.
Tharp attributes her motivation and strategies to her very strong Christian value system. Outside of her full-time work, she expands her counseling services in the form of private practice through the Valparaiso Nazarene Church. The Nazarene Collective Counseling Center allows her to practice evidence-based therapies in a faith-based environment.
Tharp contributes a couple of nights a week to her private practice. She believes it could take two full-time jobs to provide counseling services for all those in need.
“So many people need help and they just can’t make that step forward. I feel people will change their minds if they feel someone will listen to them. I think our society is learning a little more toward acknowledging that we have a mental health crisis going on. Kids constantly have to deal with mental health, especially when social media makes it so difficult for them to like themselves. I love it when I see parents want to take steps to support and help,” Tharp said.
Apart from her work as a counselor, Tharp is a proud wife to her husband of 30 years, Jim, and a mother to her two kids: Evan, 22, and Abby, 18. She finds that developing boundaries in her personal and work life helps give her the necessary skills to succeed.
“The hardest part of the profession is wanting to say yes to everyone, so I have come to the conclusion that it is important to hold onto my boundaries. I can’t do my job well if I’m anxious or depressed. Therefore, I want to make sure I'm the healthiest I can be to help other people,” Tharp said.
In her mission for the new year, Tharp is hoping to recruit more social work interns from college. She extends her invitation to students who are especially interested in pursuing counseling.
For more information about Tharp’s private practice, visit g6rycg.nucleus.church/counseling. Interested students are also advised to have their college or university contact her supervisors for internship inquiries.