We are excited to begin our monthly Staff Spotlight, which highlights excellence among the Valley Youth House team. This month, our first Staff Spotlight goes to Tommy Rohn, who was recently promoted to Supervisor of the Family Based Mental Health (FBMH) program, based out of our Easton and Walnut St. (Allentown) offices.

Tommy has worked at VYH for six years, originally working as a therapist in our FBMH program. Helping youth find positive outlets and be aware of their mental health has been Tommy’s goal for the past few years. Once a star athlete at Northampton High School and Lehigh University, a neck injury cut his wrestling career short and put Tommy in a dark place. The pain of not wrestling fueled negative habits and Tommy had trouble finding healthy alternatives to cope with his emotions.

It was during his recovery that Tommy realized the importance of mental health for young athletes and youth. Tommy began thinking about counseling and coaching as ways to help youth rely on more than just sports and physical strength. Specifically, he wanted to help youth find positive outlets and be able to succeed emotionally and mentally, as well.

While working at Dieruff High School, Tommy recognized the impact that family environments have on the actions and well-being of youth. He saw the importance of treating the whole unit, rather than the individual. Thus, Tommy found his niche working as a therapist for the Valley Youth House FBMH program. FBMH provides in-home counseling and support services to children and their families when the child has a mental health diagnosis. The purpose is to reduce out-of-home placement due to the mental health needs of the child. Family counseling, individual counseling, education on mental illness, and crisis intervention are provided.

Tommy also impacts the lives of the youth wrestlers he coaches in the community.  He has long been involved in the Lehigh Valley wrestling network and is currently an assistant coach at Saucon Valley High School.  This team has found great success, and in February, they were runner-up in the Pennsylvania state wrestling championships.  Tommy says that he tries to instill the same positive mental health habits in the kids he coaches, as those he counsels.

VYH therapist and supervisor, Tommy Rohn, was able to overcome his own struggles to benefit the lives of so many children, youth, and families in the Lehigh Valley.  VYH is grateful to have such impactful staff and community leaders like Tommy!

Picture Credit: Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media