A RETIRED OFFICER AND SOCIAL WORKER’S TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY WITH THE SWEET INSTITUTE

Transitioning from the dynamic world of law enforcement to the quieter life in retirement was a shift that enabled me to spend more time with my family.  It also gave me more time to concentrate on my self-care and I was able to spend enjoyable moments running, walking, and bicycling on a nature path close to my home.  It also gave me more time to spend enjoying my time at the ocean during the warmer months.

It was the onset of the pandemic in March of 2021 that led me to the SWEET Institute as I was searching for an avenue to acquire my needed Continuing Education Credits for my North Carolina Social Work license renewal.  In the past, I had generally attended a Social Work Conference given every year at Adelphi University in order to acquire a good portion of my credits but the pandemic had dampened those plans.  A good friend and colleague recommended the SWEET Institute.   I enrolled in a webinar and after completing this webinar I immediately signed up to be a member.  The SWEET Institute was also offering Friday afternoon live Zoom supportive check-in sessions for Mental Health Professionals to discuss the impact of the pandemic.  Here I met a group of wonderful, energetic, and devoted professionals led by Dr. Mardoche Sidor and Dr. Karen Dubin whom I immediately bonded with and felt part of the SWEET Family.  I am still very close with all these warm and inspiring colleagues to this day.  Given the newly found downtime due to the pandemic, I immersed myself in their virtual transformative training sessions.

The breadth and depth of the Institute’s course offerings were nothing short of remarkable. From Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to specialized psychotherapy certifications, each webinar and module provided an enriching educational experience rooted in holistic mental health care.

Among the myriad of offerings, three courses have stood out to me: The Psychotherapy Certificate Course which was a one-year course, the Second Psychotherapy Certificate Course, and the current Third Psychotherapy Certificate Course.  Additional Certificate Courses that I have enrolled in include the Clinical Supervision Certificate Course, Advanced Clinical Supervision Certificate Course, CBT Certificate Course, and Physical Wellness Certificate Course, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Certificate Course, Behavior Modification Certificate Course, Schema Therapy Certificate Course, NLP Certificate Course, EMDR Certificate Course, and the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Certificate Course.  These and many other courses that I have taken with the SWEET Institute weren’t just educational; they were transformative. Through them, I revisited my leadership experiences with a newfound perspective and a toolkit enhanced by modern psychotherapeutic insights.  In addition, I take great pride and satisfaction when I print out my course completion certificate upon completing the course.

The SWEET Institute wasn’t merely an alternative to traditional learning; it was an elevation. In a world brought to a standstill by the pandemic, this digital platform became the fertile ground where I could evolve, reignite my passion, and grow.

PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION AND INSIGHTS
Throughout my career in law enforcement and in my personal life a Growth Mindset has been a cornerstone of my philosophy. However, the SWEET Institute introduced me to a transformative mantra: “Learn, unlearn, and relearn.” This simple yet profound concept challenged my previous understanding and paved the way for tangible shifts in my life.

Initially perplexing, the idea of “unlearning” ingrained behaviors and beliefs gave way to clarity as I delved into the courses. The focus wasn’t on erasing the past but evolving alongside it—replacing outdated viewpoints with fresh, enlightened perspectives. This iterative process became a catalyst for growth, a journey towards continuous improvement.

This new philosophy permeated every aspect of my life, leading to tangible shifts in my relationships, both personal and professional. Conversations took on new depths, and interactions became more meaningful as I embraced change and openness. Professionally, armed with these insights, I approached my role as a Mental Health Professional with renewed purpose. No longer just a therapist, I became an advocate for transformative change. This shift rippled through my work, inspiring others to adopt the “learn, unlearn, and relearn” approach in their own lives.

In closing, I want to thank Dr. Mardoche Sidor and Dr. Karen Dubin for their dedication and commitment to being a catalyst in our personal growth and professional development.  They have both been very instrumental in my own personal evolution in being the best versions of myself that can be,  I can wholeheartedly say, that I am a proud member of the SWEET Family and would highly encourage you to become a member of this wonderful community if you are not already a member.

I, Daniel Sheehan am a retired law enforcement officer retiring with the Department designation of Police Inspector with the Civil Service Rank of Captain.  During my 30 years of working in law enforcement, I served as the Commanding Officer of the Department’s Internal Affairs Unit, the Personnel and Accounting Bureau, and the Management Analysis and Planning Bureau.  In addition, I also served as the Department’s Deputy Commanding Officer of the Medical Administration Office and the Employee Assistance Office.  I received a Masters Degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in Social Work, a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Long Island University at C.W. Post and an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Farmingdale.   My Social Work licenses are in New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.

My passions include overall health and wellness and the tenets of leadership.  I always start my day with an invigorating run in all weather conditions.  In the past, I competed in marathons, half marathons, and 5K road races.  When I conduct an objective review of my development, I credit the Ursuline Nuns and my Catholic School Education in the 1960’s and my participation in youth sports for instilling discipline, structure and compassion in my life at an early age.  In an effort to give back to the community, I coached in youth sports programs.