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Stories and Testimonials

Angel Lawrence

A Career of Caring

Angel Lawrence
Angel Lawrence

As a staff psychiatrist at Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services in Reno, Angel Lawrence still uses some of the techniques she learned as an undergraduate student at Western Nevada College. "The instructors taught me how to think and how to question," she said. "I still remember the class that helped me become a better listener. We had to interview someone, tape record it, and look at the person from the inside out."

The skills relate well to Lawrence's current position, working with some 20 patients a day, many who are severely mentally ill. The rewards come when she helps a person who has not been able to maintain a normal level of functioning to become able to hold down a job.

"The other day a lady came into my office, threw down her suitcases and sat on the floor," she said. "She exhibited a wide range of emotions and was very disorganized. We helped her and now she is much better."

Lawrence persevered through her own personal challenges when she became pregnant after high school. But, she said, "The bottom line is that life is what you make out of it. If you're not happy with the situation you're in, move on and get a good education. Having a firm foundation makes you do better."

Lawrence sees a lot of crossover in her current position with the inmates she used to assist as a psychiatrist at the Washoe County Jail, and acknowledges some degree of risk in her job. "I have never been assaulted but worry about my safety occasionally when somebody is delusional, making threats, and getting agitated," she said. "I just try to remain impassive and maintain equal access to the door.

"My associates ask me why I work at Nevada Mental Health," she said. "It's because I love to help people."

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