Q&A with Behavioral Health Provider Harvey L. West, MSW, LICSW

Coplin Health Systems is pleased to welcome Harvey L. West, MSW, LICSW to its Behavioral Health team. Harvey will utilize his skills in a variety of ways, including individual, family, and couple’s therapy.

We chatted with Harvey about his healthcare experience and what he’s looking forward to in his role at Coplin.

What drove you to choose this career path?

I was always told that I was a good listener. As far back as I can remember, I can recall wanting to become a therapist one day. I enjoy talking with people and have always liked helping others in any way possible.

Activities you do beyond what most people see?

Being prayerful of my patients and myself as we work together to help them in their situations. Seeking ways to bless others in some way without their knowledge.

If you could give one piece of health advice, what would it be?

Identify positive traits about yourself and the things in this life that you are grateful for, and verbally repeat these things to yourself multiple times per day, which will help retrain your mind to focus more on positives instead of the negatives.

Misconceptions people often have about your job?

Therapy is a magical cure to their issues/problems.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

Seeing people grow in their ability to cope with the issues in their life.

When not at Coplin, what do you enjoy doing?

Studying God’s Word, spending time with my family, and working in my wood shop.

What community or volunteer activities do you participate in?

Looking for ways in which I can help others in their needs, whether physical needs or emotional needs.

Professional Interests? (ie, immunizations, diabetes, healthy eating, etc)

Anger Management, Family/Couples issues, and Self-esteem issues.

One fun fact about yourself?

This past fall my wife and I took a three-week trip up into Maine and then into Canada. This was a first for us, to take off and travel for this long. We had many firsts on this trip, like taking a stain glass class, going on a whale watching trip and seeing whales, sea lions, and bald eagles in their natural habitat, staying on an island around Nova Scotia where we were able to watch a seal play in its natural habitat, being able to walk from Bar Harbor out to a nearby island when the tide would go out on dry land, spending time at Niagara Falls being able to light up the falls and changing the color of the lights.

What do you love (or look forward to) the most about your job?

Teaching my patients how powerful their mind is and how it can become their best friend versus using the mind as their worst enemy, as most have done.

Tell us about you personally. 

I have been married to my wife Lisa for 42 years. We have three grown children who are married and have their own families, which has blessed us with eight grandchildren. My wife and I have one dog named Max, and we have five grand dogs and six grand cats.