Taylor Prather

Background

About Taylor Prather

I just want to help people." This was my motto as a began my career. I entered undergraduate school unsure of how I might accomplish such a vague personal mission. I started out my professional career imagining myself as becoming a therapist, testing the waters as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor and preparing to enter graduate school in pursuit of my Master's in Social Work. However, during this time, I could not help but feel connected to some of the "bigger picture" missions in the realm of behavioral health: availability, accessibility, acceptability.There was one part of me who loved working directly with individuals - person to person - but there was always another part of me that knew that I wanted to put my time and energy into tackling the systemic problems I saw manifesting in my clients' lives as head on as I possibly could.I began working as Prevention & Education Coordinator at Seasons Center for Behavioral Health addressing mental health and substance use stigma through community education, health promotion, and awareness campaigning. During my three years as Prevention & Education Coordinator, I gained the skills and knowledge that prepared me for my current position as Grant Project Director. Currently, I work to manage and direct Seasons' Community Mental Health Center Grant in order to ensure goal and objective attainment, service accessibility and availability, and budget spending.While this is not the path I originally pictured, I am helping others through a more macro approach to behavioral health and am able to blend my personal dualities: social work and business. Every day that I get to apply my compassion, creativity, flexibility, innovative thinking, and organizational skills is a great day."Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run there's still time to change the road you're on."