About Matt Conahan
It Was a Long Journey but I'm Glad to be "Home"
You've probably heard the saying "it's not the journey but the destination." You may also have heard Ralph Waldo Emerson's take that “Its the not the Destination, It's the journey.” In my case, it's a bit of both.
After many career paths (photojournalism, technology, non-profit work, data science and farming (yes, farming!) I found my way to what I consider "home." On more than one occasion during my path to social work I received guidance from corporate managers that while I was very good at what I did, I probably would be happier if I didn't have to work within the constraints of such a system. Turns out, that's true. There's a curse in being good at what you do when it isn't always truly where you heart lies. The Siren songs of "career promise" and "increasing salary" are catchy tunes. Or, they were to me at least.
Years into that path I decided enough was enough. I left it behind and started a small scale organic vegetable farm with the intention of making it a residential therapeutic farm. The plan was I would start the farm, turn it over to a farm manager while I earned a therapy degree and then start the residential therapy. Remember yet another famous poet and his "... the best-laid schemes of mice and men." Life, as they say, had other plans. Five years into the farm I was diagnosed with a rare disease that left me unable to farm. The farm was not ready to be turned over and after much angst it was closed. Becoming a therapist was still in the works though and here I am today.
With a Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan (2024) and now a licensed social worker in the state of Maryland I work as a medical social worker for a hospice organization. I spend my days doing my best to help patients and their families during difficult times.
I am a member of the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) and AASECT ( The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists) and my long term plans are to continue to be of service to the patients and clients I serve while I obtain my clinical license and explore opportunities along the way.