Education
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
University of Wyoming
Within my education at UW, I focused my studies into developmental psychology spanning from pre-natal through end-of-life care and the grieving process. This focus has given me the foundation I need to work with children, teens, and young adults. From being able to identify what stage of brain development an individual is in and what brain structures are growing to knowing what this particular system brings to the table, this knowledge equips me to be able to meet every individual where they are at effectively.
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Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of Southern California (USC)
USC offers a unique experience allowing MSW candidates to focus their studies on children, youth, and families (CYF) or adult mental health and wellness. I chose to continue studying development in more depth with the CYF track. During the program, we learned the foundations of social work, and how to then apply our emerging knowledge to all populations. I was able to take a few classes more finely focused. Even further, I took courses focused on working with school-aged children and adolescents, and the unique issues they face today. Most of my individual research was honed in on issues that minority communities face at unique intersections in critical developmental stages in childhood and adolescence.
Experience
I have always been on a path to work with and help people. I live to serve my fellow humans and community. Starting at age 17, I worked in hospice care, community based programs for adults with disabilities, as a preschool teacher, and in a community mental health clinic. Through these experiences, I learned and grew so much in my knowledge and my desire to support and serve others.
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During my time at USC, I was tasked with completing a practicum course where we went into our communities and found other social workers that were willing to take us under their wings and mentor us for 1 year. My experiences and learning led me to having secured a position working for Issaquah School District (ISD) as a Behavior Specialist - Social Worker. During my 3 years with ISD I was able to apply the skills my MSW program taught me and see real change within students, staff, and schools.
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This brings us here, to Empowering Hearts. I have noticed throughout my career there are many issues that individuals face today. Due to these challenges, I created Empowering Hearts to serve two functions: one, I want to serve people on a deeper, individual level; and two, I want to expand my capacity and availability to serve organizations and causes I believe in. I look forward to delving deeper with you on your journey and walking your path together for a while.
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I am currently hold an LSWAIC, and am supervised by Paulette Caswell, LICSW. License numbers are provided below.
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Devin Short: SC70066789
Paulette Caswell: L17389
Everything Else
All of the information provided is a great argument for why I am a qualified and competent clinician, ready to work alongside my clients. However, there is a human element still needed to make me seem less of a clone of any other clinician out there: the human side of me. ​
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Of my many different interests, I would like to start with the fact that I crochet and am all self-taught. I have made many items as gifts for friends and family over my years as a crocheter, and I plan to develop this skill further as I learn more. I am also a singer, and have had the privilege to sing on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City twice, rehearse and perform with Seattle Men's Chorus, and I can really belt it out in the car. I also play many different types of games, including video, card, board, and role-playing.
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Lastly, you need to know who you are working with in today's world. I am a queer person, awareness of current events is embedded in who I am. I have seen so many incredible people standing up for themselves and for each other. Truly, it is inspiring to see the way that many of you move through the world with such compassion for others. You need to know that I will stand with you as you face this strange and chaotic world. I am passionate that all people, honoring individuals' race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, age, neurodivergence, disability, sex, religion, and all other personal identifiers is deserving of dignity, respect, and basic human kindness.
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There are many different facets to my personality that I would enjoy starting our connection with as these human aspects tend to make us clinicians more approachable. If you want to know more, please reach out and we can start a conversation in our first session with one of our shared interests.