Therapist Q&A: Get to know Hazel Health Therapist Evelyn Kovacs

Hazel Editorial Team

Editorial Team

Evelyn Kovacs, Hazel Health School Based Therapist works remotely from her home in Los Angeles, California. We sat down with Evelyn to learn more about her background, passions, and experience working as a Hazel Health therapist.

Evelyn was excited to share her story and her passion for the work she does! Evelyn’s passion for caring for children was a common theme throughout our conversation.

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Q: What made you choose a career in Mental Health?

A: I have always been intrigued by the brain and human behavior. I find the field of Psychology absolutely fascinating. I have always been curious as to why people do what they do. Even as a child, I would ask, “why?” when I saw people doing certain things. I wanted to learn how the brain works. It’s captivating!

Meet our care team ->

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Q: What led you to Hazel?

A: I have a unique situation at home. For the past few years, my 82-year-old mother’s health has declined. She is currently bedridden, and I have her living with me so that I can look after her. Working for Hazel has allowed me to work from the comfort of my home while spending time caring for my mom. I really cherish those moments, as I almost lost her a few years ago. I am blessed to have the opportunity to pursue my career while also providing care to my mom.

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Q: What makes a career at Hazel unique?

A: I love working with kids! I believe in human potential and that kids are capable of so many things! Often times kids are not seen for who they are, and I feel like when I am with a child, I see who they are. I see their potential, and I see their silly side. I see how smart and brave they really are, even when they don’t believe it. My youngest client with Hazel was only 6 years old. It's an amazing opportunity to have a positive impact on a child, especially at such an early age.

‍

Q: What did you do before you joined Hazel Health?

A: I have worked with both kids and adults. In my previous position, I worked in a school setting with at-risk youth and Special Ed students for over 10 years. That job taught me how to listen, and not just with my ears. It taught me how to use my eyes, pay attention to body language, the nuances of a cry, and the importance of play therapy. Kids will tell us so much if we take the time to tune in and listen.

‍

Q: Are there any specific moments that have stood out to you while working for Hazel?

A: There are many! One particular kid does stand out. He was the sweetest, most defiant, and most hyperactive child, whose favorite word was “no!” He often eloped or walked out of the classroom, which is initially why he was referred to care. I was able to build a strong relationship with him through play therapy and drawing. I always looked forward to our sessions because once we met on the screen, his eyes would light up as he smiled, so happy to see me! Before he knew it, he was seated and engaged for the entire 60 minutes. We made a lot of progress, and he learned to believe in himself, remain in his classroom, and enjoy learning.

‍

Hazel Editorial Team

Editorial Team

Evelyn Kovacs, Hazel Health School Based Therapist works remotely from her home in Los Angeles, California. We sat down with Evelyn to learn more about her background, passions, and experience working as a Hazel Health therapist.

Evelyn was excited to share her story and her passion for the work she does! Evelyn’s passion for caring for children was a common theme throughout our conversation.

‍

Q: What made you choose a career in Mental Health?

A: I have always been intrigued by the brain and human behavior. I find the field of Psychology absolutely fascinating. I have always been curious as to why people do what they do. Even as a child, I would ask, “why?” when I saw people doing certain things. I wanted to learn how the brain works. It’s captivating!

Meet our care team ->

‍

Q: What led you to Hazel?

A: I have a unique situation at home. For the past few years, my 82-year-old mother’s health has declined. She is currently bedridden, and I have her living with me so that I can look after her. Working for Hazel has allowed me to work from the comfort of my home while spending time caring for my mom. I really cherish those moments, as I almost lost her a few years ago. I am blessed to have the opportunity to pursue my career while also providing care to my mom.

‍

Q: What makes a career at Hazel unique?

A: I love working with kids! I believe in human potential and that kids are capable of so many things! Often times kids are not seen for who they are, and I feel like when I am with a child, I see who they are. I see their potential, and I see their silly side. I see how smart and brave they really are, even when they don’t believe it. My youngest client with Hazel was only 6 years old. It's an amazing opportunity to have a positive impact on a child, especially at such an early age.

‍

Q: What did you do before you joined Hazel Health?

A: I have worked with both kids and adults. In my previous position, I worked in a school setting with at-risk youth and Special Ed students for over 10 years. That job taught me how to listen, and not just with my ears. It taught me how to use my eyes, pay attention to body language, the nuances of a cry, and the importance of play therapy. Kids will tell us so much if we take the time to tune in and listen.

‍

Q: Are there any specific moments that have stood out to you while working for Hazel?

A: There are many! One particular kid does stand out. He was the sweetest, most defiant, and most hyperactive child, whose favorite word was “no!” He often eloped or walked out of the classroom, which is initially why he was referred to care. I was able to build a strong relationship with him through play therapy and drawing. I always looked forward to our sessions because once we met on the screen, his eyes would light up as he smiled, so happy to see me! Before he knew it, he was seated and engaged for the entire 60 minutes. We made a lot of progress, and he learned to believe in himself, remain in his classroom, and enjoy learning.

‍

Hazel Editorial Team

Editorial Team

Evelyn Kovacs, Hazel Health School Based Therapist works remotely from her home in Los Angeles, California. We sat down with Evelyn to learn more about her background, passions, and experience working as a Hazel Health therapist.

Evelyn was excited to share her story and her passion for the work she does! Evelyn’s passion for caring for children was a common theme throughout our conversation.

‍

Q: What made you choose a career in Mental Health?

A: I have always been intrigued by the brain and human behavior. I find the field of Psychology absolutely fascinating. I have always been curious as to why people do what they do. Even as a child, I would ask, “why?” when I saw people doing certain things. I wanted to learn how the brain works. It’s captivating!

Meet our care team ->

‍

Q: What led you to Hazel?

A: I have a unique situation at home. For the past few years, my 82-year-old mother’s health has declined. She is currently bedridden, and I have her living with me so that I can look after her. Working for Hazel has allowed me to work from the comfort of my home while spending time caring for my mom. I really cherish those moments, as I almost lost her a few years ago. I am blessed to have the opportunity to pursue my career while also providing care to my mom.

‍

Q: What makes a career at Hazel unique?

A: I love working with kids! I believe in human potential and that kids are capable of so many things! Often times kids are not seen for who they are, and I feel like when I am with a child, I see who they are. I see their potential, and I see their silly side. I see how smart and brave they really are, even when they don’t believe it. My youngest client with Hazel was only 6 years old. It's an amazing opportunity to have a positive impact on a child, especially at such an early age.

‍

Q: What did you do before you joined Hazel Health?

A: I have worked with both kids and adults. In my previous position, I worked in a school setting with at-risk youth and Special Ed students for over 10 years. That job taught me how to listen, and not just with my ears. It taught me how to use my eyes, pay attention to body language, the nuances of a cry, and the importance of play therapy. Kids will tell us so much if we take the time to tune in and listen.

‍

Q: Are there any specific moments that have stood out to you while working for Hazel?

A: There are many! One particular kid does stand out. He was the sweetest, most defiant, and most hyperactive child, whose favorite word was “no!” He often eloped or walked out of the classroom, which is initially why he was referred to care. I was able to build a strong relationship with him through play therapy and drawing. I always looked forward to our sessions because once we met on the screen, his eyes would light up as he smiled, so happy to see me! Before he knew it, he was seated and engaged for the entire 60 minutes. We made a lot of progress, and he learned to believe in himself, remain in his classroom, and enjoy learning.

‍

Evelyn Kovacs, Hazel Health School Based Therapist works remotely from her home in Los Angeles, California. We sat down with Evelyn to learn more about her background, passions, and experience working as a Hazel Health therapist.

Evelyn was excited to share her story and her passion for the work she does! Evelyn’s passion for caring for children was a common theme throughout our conversation.

‍

Q: What made you choose a career in Mental Health?

A: I have always been intrigued by the brain and human behavior. I find the field of Psychology absolutely fascinating. I have always been curious as to why people do what they do. Even as a child, I would ask, “why?” when I saw people doing certain things. I wanted to learn how the brain works. It’s captivating!

Meet our care team ->

‍

Q: What led you to Hazel?

A: I have a unique situation at home. For the past few years, my 82-year-old mother’s health has declined. She is currently bedridden, and I have her living with me so that I can look after her. Working for Hazel has allowed me to work from the comfort of my home while spending time caring for my mom. I really cherish those moments, as I almost lost her a few years ago. I am blessed to have the opportunity to pursue my career while also providing care to my mom.

‍

Q: What makes a career at Hazel unique?

A: I love working with kids! I believe in human potential and that kids are capable of so many things! Often times kids are not seen for who they are, and I feel like when I am with a child, I see who they are. I see their potential, and I see their silly side. I see how smart and brave they really are, even when they don’t believe it. My youngest client with Hazel was only 6 years old. It's an amazing opportunity to have a positive impact on a child, especially at such an early age.

‍

Q: What did you do before you joined Hazel Health?

A: I have worked with both kids and adults. In my previous position, I worked in a school setting with at-risk youth and Special Ed students for over 10 years. That job taught me how to listen, and not just with my ears. It taught me how to use my eyes, pay attention to body language, the nuances of a cry, and the importance of play therapy. Kids will tell us so much if we take the time to tune in and listen.

‍

Q: Are there any specific moments that have stood out to you while working for Hazel?

A: There are many! One particular kid does stand out. He was the sweetest, most defiant, and most hyperactive child, whose favorite word was “no!” He often eloped or walked out of the classroom, which is initially why he was referred to care. I was able to build a strong relationship with him through play therapy and drawing. I always looked forward to our sessions because once we met on the screen, his eyes would light up as he smiled, so happy to see me! Before he knew it, he was seated and engaged for the entire 60 minutes. We made a lot of progress, and he learned to believe in himself, remain in his classroom, and enjoy learning.

‍

On what unique skills Evelyn feel she brings to the Hazel team

"I’ve learned to listen and pay attention to how children might be speaking without words."

Q: Hazel recognizes that each provider brings a unique skill set. What skills do you feel you bring to the team?

A: I’ve learned to listen and pay attention to how children might be speaking without words. They might cry, yell, throw things, hit themselves/others, hide, draw, and play. All of that communication is purposeful. They are telling us that they want to feel validated, seen, and safe.

My family immigrated here from Romania when I was 16 years old. I am fluent in 4 languages (English, Romanian, Hungarian, and Spanish). This has given me a unique ability to connect with immigrant children and their families, as things can often get lost in translation, and the messages are not always captured otherwise.

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Q: What is your team like at Hazel Health?

A: I feel very lucky to have a supportive team and supervisor. My colleagues are humble, smart, and we have so much fun together! They make my job a million times better.

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Q: What are some of your favorite therapy strategies?

A: I most often use play therapy and role-modeling with younger kids. They enjoy playing games like Would You Rather or I Spy. They also enjoy meditation videos, which are a great tool for them, even outside of therapy, to relax or cope with challenges.

Here are some of my favorites:

With older kids, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. They enjoy being able to speak freely, and it’s important to make sure they feel validated and empowered.

All ages benefit from slowing down, taking deep breaths, and learning how to calm their minds and bodies.

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Q: What are some of the best mental health practices that students and families can put into place?

A: Having dinner together as a family is so important. Spend time and connect with family and friends without phones or electronics. And when parents talk to their children, I encourage them to listen to the child before interrupting or reacting to what they hear.

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Q: Studies estimate that somewhere between 21 and 61 percent of mental health practitioners experience burnout. What do you do to avoid burnout?

A: I take plenty of mini breaks. I spend quality time with loved ones, and I walk my dog, Loki, for at least an hour a day. I enjoy cooking, baking, spending time in nature, and traveling! A few years ago, I took a trip to Egypt. I have a fascination with ancient civilizations and cultures, so I really enjoyed Egypt!

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Q: Who are you outside of your career? Family? Passions? Hobbies?

A: I am a nature lover! I love to hike and take walks with my dog. I also love to spend time at the beach, which allows me to put things into perspective and reminds me of how small I am and that my problems are not as big as I make them out to be.

I live with my mother, but the rest of my family lives in Romania. I am a mix of Hungarian and Romanian. My first language is Hungarian, I learned Romanian while I was in school and then English and Spanish once we moved to California.

I am very creative and love the arts. I enjoy going to concerts, decorating my home, and having deep, meaningful conversations with others.

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Thank you, Evelyn, for taking the time to share your story with us!

Evelyn is immensely valuable to the Hazel Health team. We are fortunate to have her contributions, as she brings a wealth of expertise, passion, and unwavering commitment to enhancing the mental health of students. Alongside her team, Evelyn helps ensure our students are heard, seen and cared for!

Interested in a career with Hazel Health? Check out our current Mental Health openings.

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About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel’s diverse, culturally competent providers specialize in the health challenges of children and teens and partner with parents and school staff to make the best care decisions for students. Hazel is committed to improving health care equity and is available regardless of family income, geography, insurance status, or ability to pay. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care, because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health is the nation’s largest and most trusted provider of school-based telehealth. By partnering with districts and health plans across the country, Hazel transforms schools into the most accessible front door to pediatric healthcare. Today, Hazel’s licensed providers deliver teletherapy and virtual care (in school or at home) to over four million K-12 students, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Hazel aims to remove all barriers to the mental and physical health care that children need to thrive: in school, at home, and in life.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel serves nearly 2 million students across 100 school districts, helping to reduce chronic absenteeism and unfinished learning by addressing gaps in health care access. As an extension of the school health team, Hazel helps schools immediately address student physical and mental health care needs. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel helps school districts address chronic absenteeism, unfinished learning, and school enrollment, by addressing gaps in health care access.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Instead of waiting for an appointment with a doctor or therapist, children can see a Hazel provider for a telehealth visit, at no cost to families. With guardian permission, Hazel’s telehealth platform allows children to connect with a health care provider within minutes, or a therapist within days of referral. Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. At no cost, and regardless of insurance status, Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.