Staff Spotlight
Ashley Forbes, Social Worker & Team Lead
Early intervention in psychosis is key to preventing or improving the long course trajectory of individuals who struggle with psychosis.
The Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) Program offers specialized and integrated treatment approaches for early and first-episode psychosis, for youth and young adults between the ages of 13 – 30.
Today we are excited to feature Ashley Forbes, a social worker and team lead on the EPI team in North Vancouver. “Our team includes social work, nursing, occupational therapy, psychiatry, administrative support, peer support and clinical counselling. It’s an awesome team!”, she says.
“I love to work as part of a multidisciplinary team with a shared set of values and desire to provide good client and patient care,” says Ashley. “There are many opportunities to learn from each other and our clients. It is also an honour to work with clients and their families/caregivers during their early recovery from psychosis.”
This is a new team to the North Shore – providing a very needed service that did not previously exist in the community. Ashley tells us that she is thrilled to be a part of developing and growing the EPI program.
Ashley is inspired every time a new team member is hired to join the team. “I am excited to think about how the team will grow and improve services for youth and young adults experiencing psychosis,” she says. “I have also loved getting to connect with clients and their families who are very appreciative of the support.”
One of VCH’s values is We are Always Learning. Ashley feels this particular value is most evident in her recent work as they are starting a team from the ground up. “It involves a lot of learning and growing,” she says. “Finding our groove, being flexible and adapting to any needed changes has meant that we are all learning together towards improving services.”
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashley has had different learning opportunities to cross-train with various teams. “There are so many different social work practice areas and thanks to these opportunities, I realized I have a career bucket list with lots of different roles that I would like to try throughout my lifetime!”
Ashley tells us she feels very supported by her team. “Just because we are at work does not mean that our personal lives stop,” she says. “When family emergencies have come up, I have been able to make sure that I am there for my kids as well as my work.”
Join our team
Explore the current career opportunities for Social Workers at Vancouver Coastal Health.