Michelle Ly, LCSW is the Director of Residential Admissions at La Selva Group. She has over 19 years of experience in mental health services. She has experience working in multiple settings in mental health and social work (e.g., residential, outpatient clinic, medical social work, and inpatient psychiatric behavioral health). Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and a master’s degree in Social Work. Her passion in mental health and social work stems from her own life experiences, perseverance, and resilience.
https://thelaselvagroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/laselva-logo.jpg00La Selva Teamhttps://thelaselvagroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/laselva-logo.jpgLa Selva Team2022-04-18 23:23:252023-08-03 22:17:55Michelle Ly, LCSW: La Selva Group’s New Director of Residential Admissions
La Selva Group, a division of Momentum for Health, is excited to introduce Anthony Miller as our new Director of Operations!
Anthony is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has over 15 years of mental health experience in various settings throughout the Bay Area. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology from Notre Dame De Namur University. Prior to working at Momentum, he was working in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco as the Program manager of a 60-bed program, working with Ex-offenders transitioning back into our communities.
Anthony started working at Momentum in 2011 as an Assistant Manager/Clinician at the SART program in San Jose. He was promoted in 2013 to Program Manager/Clinician of Litteral House and then promoted shortly after to Director of Residential Services for The La Selva Group in 2014. Anthony has recently been promoted again to his current position, serving as the Director of Operations for The La Selva Group.
In Anthony’s new role of Director of Operations, he collaboratively helps synchronize the multiple programs under La Selva’s umbrella of encompassing services ranging from the Residential program to our Wellness Center, as well as our Supportive Housings and everything in between. Anthony has a strong foundation working across systems and developing continuums of care. He utilizes both his clinical and operational experience to connect the dots and support the ever evolving La Selva community. Anthony works from a strength-based model and takes great pride in helping clients thrive. He is a firm believer that the greatest power is to empower others. When Anthony is not working, he is spending time with his wife and children, practicing physical fitness, and gardening in his backyard.
La Selva Residential has always been a starting point for many of the clients in our community. As Anthony is promoted from Residential, he is passing the torch on to Michelle Ly.
https://thelaselvagroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/laselva-logo.jpg00La Selva Teamhttps://thelaselvagroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/laselva-logo.jpgLa Selva Team2022-04-08 00:14:142022-04-18 23:14:55Meet La Selva Group’s New Director of Operations: Anthony Miller, LMFT
In celebration of Women’s History Month last March, we took a look inside Esperanza House, a unique program for women recovering from trauma.
We asked Brenna Connolly, Director of Outpatient Services for the La Selva Group, about the program, challenges during the pandemic, the rewards of her work, and how people can connect with the house.
What is Esperanza House?
Esperanza House is a supportive housing site dedicated to treating women who identify as experiencing trauma. The house provides trauma informed care through individual therapy, group therapy and medication management. Residents live independently but have strong daily support that is both therapeutic and practical (helping them cook food for each other, help with shopping, or help with job searching). The house is run by lead clinician Kathleen Grey, AMFT, with support from Maya Kehoe. Kathleen supports residents with therapy, and together, Kathleen and Maya meet their residents’ day to day needs with compassion and care.
What challenge has the Esperanza House and clients faced during the pandemic?
Isolation. Our program thrives on helping individuals thrive through building community and connection. Luckily, because we provide this type of housing, clients are able to connect with peers. However, help with building an outside community, finding work, going to support groups outside of La Selva has been extremely difficult. Despite these challenges, we are very proud that we have been able to provide “live” connection, support, and treatment throughout this pandemic.
What do you enjoy about your work?
My team. La Selva and Momentum staff are beyond supportive and kind. We decided on day 1 of COVID that we would not change what we do here, despite the pandemic. It was extremely hard on our personal lives, but my team was courageous and knew it was best for the clients and the community. I love what I do because of the people I work with.
The clients. I cannot tell you what an honor it is to be by these client’s side as they take this very difficult journey. They make a conscious decision to be vulnerable and to work harder than everyone else to better their lives and circumstances. This is so courageous and so HARD. It is powerful to see this happen before your eyes. I am proud of every single person that has come through this program. They have not only helped themselves, but they have connected with peers and helped other’s as well.
What is a challenge in your work?
The sadness we see. It takes a toll to see people hurting and struggling every day. The trauma that some of our clients have endured (or are enduring) affects us all personally.
How can people get help or get involved with Esperanza House?
Just call our admissions directors (Monika and/or Michelle). Depending on the level of care someone is needing, they just need to come to us and we can work with them to try to get them into one of our programs.
https://thelaselvagroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/laselva-logo.jpg00La Selva Teamhttps://thelaselvagroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/laselva-logo.jpgLa Selva Team2022-04-06 22:50:312022-04-06 22:53:19La Selva Group’s Esperanza House Helps Women Recover from Trauma
Michelle Ly, LCSW is the Director of Residential Admissions at La Selva Group. She has over 19 years of experience in mental health services. She has experience working in multiple settings in mental health and social work (e.g., residential, outpatient clinic, medical social work, and inpatient psychiatric behavioral health). Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and a master’s degree in Social Work. Her passion in mental health and social work stems from her own life experiences, perseverance, and resilience.
