A Conversation with Laine Seibel: Behind the Scenes of Mental Health Case Management

Laine is the Assistant Supervisor and Intake Coordinator for Strawberry Fields’ Mental Health Case Management program. She’s been with the program for seven years, providing support to both clients and fellow case managers. 

How did you come to Strawberry Fields?

Early in my career, I worked at The Meadows Psychiatric Center as a Clinical Teacher with youth and adolescents. I was able to see the impact that serious mental illness can have on individuals in every area of their lives. Several years ago, I was looking for a new opportunity and had heard great things about the work that Strawberry Fields was doing in the community. I’ve always found meaning in helping people, and case management gave me the chance to support people in a new way, especially during some of the hardest moments in their lives.

Who does Strawberry Fields serve through Case management?  

We work with about 250 people each year — adults, children, and families. Some are newly diagnosed with a mental illness. Others have lived with a significant mental health challenge and find themselves in crisis or dealing with a life event that’s made things unstable. They may need help getting back to a place where they feel well, connected, and able to live as independently as possible.  

I think it's important to share that we support individuals across the lifespan. Our youngest consumer is 4 years old, and our oldest is 86 years old.

What does a case manager actually do? 

The day to day work of a case manager consists of meeting with individuals where they are. We meet them both physically, in their homes, at doctor’s appointments, in the community, and also figuratively—meeting them wherever they are in their journey to wellness.

At the core, we help people identify goals and take steps toward them. That might mean finding housing, accessing medical care, returning to school or work, or building up daily routines and coping skills. We don’t do the work for them; we walk beside them. It’s about enhancing skills, connecting them to community resources, and helping them build the natural supports they need to manage their illness and eventually move forward without us. 

What’s the caseload like for a case manager? 

By state licensing rules, no case manager in Pennsylvania can carry more than 30 cases at a time. At Strawberry Fields, our case managers typically have between 27 and 30 clients, many of whom are seen on a weekly basis. That is a full plate, and our team works hard to be present and responsive. We just hired our tenth case manager to help meet the growing need in the community. I still carry a small caseload myself to stay connected to the work and support our team where needed.  

Is this a nine-to-five job? 

Our clients have access to support from our team 24/7, every day of the year. Our case managers take turns being on call during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Plus, either I or our Program Manager, Michelle, is always available to back them up. When a crisis arises for a consumer, we review the person’s crisis care plan and help them problem-solve. We have systems in place so that, regardless of who’s on call, the client has support from someone who has some familiarity with their story.   

This work is clearly intense. What helps you and your team stay grounded? 

It’s not easy, but it’s deeply meaningful. We’re intentional about checking in with staff on their own wellness — physical, emotional, and mental. You can’t pour from an empty vessel. We find small ways to reset and reconnect. For example, we recently held a staff meeting while hiking around Colyer Lake. Things like that go a long way. 

What makes this work meaningful for you? 

It’s all the wins, big and small. A client finds a job. Someone who’s been isolated starts volunteering. A kiddo returns to school. Someone secures stable housing. One person we supported had been living with unmediated schizophrenia for years. Now, they’re taking medication, attending Opportunity Clubhouse, joining a pre-employment program, and reconnecting with family. That’s a life-changing shift, and it happened because someone showed up, walked alongside them, and didn’t give up. 

What do you think makes our team of case managers special? 

We show up. People know we’re steady, and they know we’ll walk beside them. We believe in them, even when it’s hard for them to believe in themselves. We have the privilege of walking with people often at their most isolated and lonely points and helping them find their way forward.