Leading with Faith: Building Community-Based Mental Health Clinics with Yerachmiel Stern, LCSW | Faith Based Mental Health Clinics | Hiring Tips

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In this episode of The Therapy Show, I sit down with Yerachmiel Stern, LCSW, Executive Director and CEO of Pesach Tikvah: Door of Hope. Yerachmiel shares his incredible journey from therapist to clinic leader and offers deep insights into building and expanding faith-based mental health clinics. We talk about how his organization serves a primarily Orthodox Jewish community while also supporting diverse underserved populations across New York.

We dive into the nuances of recruiting clinicians who are not only clinically skilled but culturally and generationally attuned to their clients’ needs. Yerachmiel also breaks down the importance of flexible work environments, understanding therapist work styles, and the unique challenges of creating serene, spa-like spaces even within nonprofit settings.

In this episode, Yerachmiel covers:

• How to build faith-based clinics that meet both cultural expectations and clinical standards.

• Strategies for recruiting therapists that match client needs—mirroring, complementary, or culturally resonant opposites.

• The necessity of flexible work models to accommodate faith-based lifestyle norms.

• Addressing generational differences in therapist work styles and expectations (Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z).

• Why recruiting a “blank canvas” can be more effective than chasing credentials alone.

• How to assess interviewees beyond the interview polish to find true potential.

• Building long-term clinician loyalty by investing emotionally and structurally in staff.

• The logistics of serving in-school mental health programs and maintaining outreach across diverse NYC communities.
  
  

If you're a therapist, practice owner, or curious about building faith-integrated mental health services, this episode offers real-world strategies and a refreshing perspective.