“By the time I was fifteen, I had already visited most of the United States as well as Canada and Mexico with my family. Growing up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, I valued these travels because they opened my worldview outside of the traditional southern bubble. My parents instilled a love of travel in me and both served as role models for a solid work ethic and social justice. My father, also one of my baseball coaches, was the 1st coach to integrate our team in the 1970s. My mother, who had the hardest full-time job, that of raising 2 children, also instilled an ethic of service with her work in various community organizations and the school board.
Despite my traditional and stable upbringing, my early years were anxiety-provoking. In middle school, I realized I was gay. I lived every day with the underlying worry that I was going to be outed. As I moved on to high school, I truly believed that I was the only person like me in my community. Luckily, I met my first boyfriend in 10th grade and he quite literally saved my life. I saw that I wasn’t the only one who loved as I did.
Attending college in Tennessee, I quickly became a part of the Greek community. Similar to my younger years, I felt pressure to mask my identity. I chose not to disclose my orientation to anyone and I dated women. While in college, I realized that I wanted to pursue psychology. Although my five-year-old self would have told you that I was going to be a veterinarian, it only took putting down one dog to change my mind. One Easter Sunday morning, while working with a local veterinarian, I assisted in ending a dog’s suffering. The owner began to sob and so did I. From that moment, I knew I was not cut out to be a veterinarian, and am I pleased that others can full such an important role. I changed my major to psychology the next day and I worked hard to graduate on time. After graduation, I spent a year sailing around the world on a tall ship as a teacher for students with learning disabilities. My love of travel, instilled in me as a young child, grew stronger from this experience. I loved teaching and served in that role for several years. Yet, I felt becoming a clinical psychologist was my true calling.
After I got my doctorate, I moved to the Upper Valley and began working at West Central Services, giving me the opportunity to work with people experiencing homelessness, trauma, and specific learning struggles. Working with the backbone of society, the working class, resonated in my DNA. I also knew that I wanted to treat adolescents in middle schools to help demystify mental health concerns. I wanted to be embedded in schools to support struggling students as well as support teachers in the trenches. I remembered what it was like being a kid—anxious walking through the hallways in middle school. I trust others will reflect on those years and recall their own angst.
In my 26 years in the Upper Valley, I have enjoyed the support and close connections a smaller community affords. I have relished watching students grow up and thrive and have their own children. The Upper Valley is an incredible region. We are all connected. We depend upon one another to ensure our community remains the wonderful place we all chose to call “home.” And, to all those souls with whom I have had the privilege to serve, support and treat: a heart-felt “thank you” for helping me be a better human being in this world.”–Dr. Steven Atkins, Hanover, NH.
