From originally being apprehensive as to whether case management could be for her, Rose Rokhim is now building a successful career with PsychWorks Associates.
Here, NR Times discovers how and why she feels supported and accepted in her work, and how the close alignment of her values with the business makes such a huge difference professionally and personally
By February 2023 I will have been working with PsychWorks Associates for three years. From initially not really knowing what case management was – and then believing it was not for someone like me – I am now enjoying a rewarding and fulfilling career as a case management associate. It’s enabling me to bring through my professional training in psychology and healthcare, whilst also finding an outlet for my passions, and working with an organisation whose values align closely with my own.
Both personally and professionally, this has been an excellent move for me; one which affords me the flexibility I need with a young child to look after, and supporting me to deliver a better service to our culturally diverse clients. The fact that PsychWorks Associates is so committed to diversity, both in its team and client base, is very important to me. I feel validated in every way working here.
Making best use of my skills
Having completed a degree in multimedia art, an MA in art psychotherapy and an MBA in healthcare management, when I set out on my career, I had gained a wide array of skills and qualifications over a number of years – yet I didn’t know quite where to channel this. I set out to explore career options that would fulfil and challenge me, both personally and professionally.
The psychology and psychotherapy aspect of my training was a keen interest, but combined with my passion for art and creativity, it was difficult to know where I could fit in.
Setting up as a HCPC-registered art psychotherapist seemed tricky so I sought longer-term options in the care industry. This is when I came across case management. Frustratingly, found that many companies I applied to weren’t interested, because I didn’t come from the ‘typical’ background, of occupational therapist or nurse. I didn’t feel my unique skill set was given credit, as I didn’t fit into the usual box that traditional companies might have believed a case manager should fall into.
The response from PsychWorks Associates was totally different and so refreshing. Rather than being rejected on the basis that I didn’t resemble a ‘standard’ case manager, its founding director – Dr Shabnam Berry-Khan – saw my qualifications and background as strengths. She valued my cultural heritage as a unique asset for the company, and for the very multicultural and multilingual client base we support. This feeling of inclusion and belonging made me feel appreciated and validated on many levels.
From not being sure how my skills would fit in, I now feel I have found a place. I didn’t know how I would apply my psychotherapy in my work, but because we are a psychology-driven organisation, I am now encouraged to be a reflective practitioner. This means a clinician who uses ‘formulation’ to understand and communicate client needs, and in a team where skillful and concise report-writing is constantly encouraged and developed..
The work itself and the professional development around it flow very naturally. We have regular CPD, the opportunity to work with senior peers as well as with Shabnam herself, the chance to learn the breadth of case management work through various mechanisms. Given the space to explore our roles and how we work and, through evaluating our experiences – on our own, via independent supervision, and with our peers and managers – we can be more conscious and practising of our beliefs and values.
Additionally, I am also able to bring in some of my other skills, providing me with a forum to bring in some of my much-loved creativity. For example, I love photography and was honoured to have some of my photos used on the company’s rebranded website. It feels nice to work with a team who cares who you are, and the skills and interests that you as an individual can bring.
Aligned values
I am from a South-East Asian background, coming to the UK from Singapore 15 years ago, and speak four languages – English, Malay, Bahasa Indonesia and conversational Mandarin. I am also Makaton-trained up to Level 4. While I may not look like a ‘typical’ case manager, PsychWorks Associates not only saw past that, they really saw it as a strength. There are so many aspects to consider when working with clients from other cultures, which are easy not to appreciate if you do not understand the reasons behind them. There are certain cultural differences, as well as differences that come from being a minority, that are hugely important to clients, yet can present barriers if not recognised by the case manager.
But with many of my clients, we speak the same ‘language’, culturally and often even linguistically. The difference can be seen in the seemingly small factors, such as appreciating why it is important to a family that food is cooked fresh every day, or why they want to upgrade their toilet facilities to include a bidet. These are not just preferences – they are culturally significant and very important for a sense of identity and belonging in one’s own home. They can be vital in building the relationship with clients that a case manager must do if they are to deliver the best possible bespoke service. The fact that PsychWorks Associates builds its team to serve the needs of people of different backgrounds really resonates with me.
Our service’s commitment to sustainability and the environment is another area of values which I was delighted to find was shared. I have a keen 
interest in upcycling – finding vintage furniture and other items and restoring them back to life. PsychWorks Associates’ eco-mission fits very well with these interests. Along with the opportunities for using my photography and multimedia skills for presentations, I feel supported creatively with my in how I’m able to extend my love of art into the work I do.
As a business mindful of its team as people rather than as just professionals, I am very grateful for the flexibility I have, as the mother of a young son. I am primarily home-based and visit clients from my home in London, whilst being able to stay in contact with the team at all times for support, guidance and inspiration. PsychWorks Associates is sympathetic and flexible for a parent like me, and as any working parents will know, a positive work-life balance makes life a lot less stressful than it could otherwise be.
Feeling accepted
By becoming part of the team at PsychWorks Associates, I feel like I have found a great fit on both a personal and professional level. Case management is an excellent career, and while I may not have taken the conventional route that many case managers do, my skills and background are actually an asset. Being able to be who you are, and being supported in that, is a true privilege for anyone to have in work and in life.
As a family-run business, PsychWorks Associates is a remarkable organisation, which acts with kindness and compassion towards its team and our clients. It not only embraces my cultural heritage but also my creativity, encourages innovation and shares relatable values. I also feel I am constantly learning excellent clinical skills that have helped my professional development and sense of job satisfaction.
If you have felt in the past that case management is not for you, I would nevertheless encourage anyone to be proud of their diversity and unique skills – and if you find an employer like I have, they will appreciate the value you bring to them as an organisation and to their client base, and will embrace you as I have been embraced.
Together, our team work to improve the lives of our clients using CQC guidance, bringing our array of expertise and interests together to deliver a service which is diverse, representative and absolutely committed to doing the best we can do. I would encourage anyone who is considering case management to speak with PsychWorks Associates and understand more about what the career could look like for you, aside from the inspiring central tasks of championing your clients’ needs and best interests.
- To learn more about PsychWorks Associates, visit its website here
