Tele Rabii ’19

Chemical Dependency Counseling (A.A.S. degree)

Outpatient Services Coordinator, Ellis Hospital Mental Health Services Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS), Day Treatment Program, facilitating groups for people with substance use disorders and mental health diagnoses. Tele is featured in the New York Emmy-nominated documentary Reversing the Stigma.

Tele had already been working in the field when he decided to attend SUNY Schenectady for his associate degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling. At Ellis PROS, he facilitates groups and works individually with clients helping them map out and achieve their recovery goals.

“It was really interesting being back in school again and engaging in that sort of environment. Prior to going back to college I had started working in this field already so it helped to reinforce things I was already doing and I learned new things that I could incorporate into my job.”

“I liked the size of SUNY Schenectady. It wasn’t super overwhelming. I was able to reach out to professors and staff with any questions. It was close to home so I could hop on the bus and walk down there and be able to get my education.”

“Being a person in recovery helps me with my job. It’s about being patient, having time management skills, setting goals, and being kind and patient with yourself. I’ve taken those things I’ve learned and given them to the people I work with so that they can learn to do those things for themselves.”