Today we’d like to introduce you to Tori Boyer.
Hi Tori, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Huntington Beach, CA, and from a very young age, I was taught the value of helping others and giving back. My parents modeled this through their own lives and careers – my mom is a nurse, and my dad is pastor. As a teenager, I spent my time after school involved in my church’s youth group, where I had my first opportunities to volunteer in my community in many ways, including volunteering as a summer camp counselor and mentor for children in the foster care system, which I still do to this day! After graduating from high school, I moved to Nashville, TN, to attend Belmont University. At 18 years old, I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to continue to give back to my community as I had seen both of my parents do through their own careers, but I was not quite sure what that would look like. I never really had an aptitude for math or science, so following my mom’s footsteps to become a nurse was off the table, and I definitely did not think I had the public speaking skills required to become a pastor like my dad! I decided to enroll as an education major, figuring that becoming a teacher was a good option. However, within my first month at Belmont, a chance encounter with a professor from the social work department led me to realize that social work was something that I could major in… I went straight to the university administration office and immediately filed the paperwork to change my major to social work. That decision changed the trajectory of my life in many ways and ultimately led me to where I am now. I went on to pursue a Master’s of Social Work degree after completing my Bachelors of Social Work degree, moved to Los Angeles to be closer to my family while pursuing my career, and ultimately becoming Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in working with older adults.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to becoming a clinical social worker has definitely had its challenges. From the moment that I proudly announced to everyone that I was going to study social work, I was met with negative comments from some, telling me that a career in social work would do nothing except overwork me and underpay me. I understand that these comments came from a place of love, however they were discouraging, nonetheless. Luckily, I had nonstop support and encouragement from others, including my parents, who never stopped cheering me on and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. As I neared the completion of my undergraduate degree, I decided to go straight into my graduate school to work towards my MSW. This decision made the most economic sense for me at the time, and while I do not regret it, I think it definitely led to some challenges, too. I was young and inexperienced, with only a few undergraduate internships at an assisted living and a refugee resettlement agency, in school with other students who had come with years of professional and personal experience. This was intimidating, but I took the challenge and threw myself into my MSW internship at an inpatient psychiatric unit, determined to learn as much as I could in ten short months. Despite my best efforts, my job search after graduation was extremely discouraging. I spent hours applying to jobs each week, with few callbacks, if anything. The jobs that did reach out often minimized my experience, and I even had people I knew make comments that they would never want a therapist or social worker with such little life experience. Imposter syndrome began to take over, and I struggled with thoughts of doubt. Who was I to think that I could make a difference or that I deserved a job when there were so many others much more qualified than me? Then, about seven months after graduating with my MSW, I finally received a job offer that changed my life in ways I would have never imagined. That job brought me to Los Angeles and allowed me to grow into the professional I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in working with the older adult population. Currently, I work as a mental health therapist providing therapy for residents of skilled nursing facilities as they navigate the emotional stress of terminal illnesses, life-changing medical diagnoses, loss of function, declining memories, loss, grief, and adjustment to living in a facility. Prior to this, I have extensive experience working with people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and other forms of dementia, and with their family caregivers. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to develop programs, speak at conferences on webinars, and facilitating panels of people living with early memory loss sharing their experiences with medical professionals to improve the delivery of care, in addition to direct practice through individual counseling and support groups. One of the proudest moments of my career was during the pandemic when I helped adapt my organization’s programming to be delivered virtually so that those who needed support now more than ever could continue to do so while staying safe at home. I believe that my innovation and willingness to try new ideas for programming and services, as well as my gift for connecting with people, sets me apart and has allowed me to reach, help, and empower more of our local aging population to receive the care and services they need. I strive to help my clients continue to live their lives to the fullest despite whatever challenges, illnesses, or setbacks they may be facing.
How do you define success?
In my work, there is no greater success than that moment when I can see something shift in a client – a moment of realization, acceptance, or new insight. For me personally, success is knowing that I showed up, gave my best effort, and pushed myself to grow in some capacity.
