Pema Herr

Hello! I am a second-year Clinical Social Work Intern pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Case Western Reserve University with a focus on trauma-informed care. I am passionate about supporting youth, adolescents, and young adults while also welcoming opportunities to work with older adults and couples. Before entering the field of social work, I gained experience in healthcare as an EMT and as an ICU team member, where I developed a strong foundation in compassionate, person-centered care during some of life's most vulnerable moments. These experiences fostered my passion for supporting individuals through complex health challenges, particularly at the intersection of physical and mental well-being. I later transitioned into behavioral health, working in a child and adolescent day treatment program where I co-facilitated therapeutic groups and implemented interventions for children and adolescents experiencing ADHD, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I have a particular interest in trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, self-esteem challenges, and life transitions. I value evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) while also recognizing the importance of understanding the deeper roots of a person's struggles, including how past experiences, relationships, and core beliefs shape the way individuals relate to themselves and the world around them. I believe therapy should be a collaborative, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and understood. My goal is to build authentic therapeutic relationships that empower clients to develop greater self-awareness, strengthen resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change.