Maternal and Family Health Services Welcomes Yurii Lynn Harden as Director of Behavioral Health

Yurii Lynn Harden, LCSW is returning to Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) as the new Director of Behavioral Health Services. In this role, Yurii will be focused on expanding behavioral health services to include teletherapy, outreach through the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), and the introduction of therapy support groups, staff trainings, and comprehensive support for both clients and staff.

Yurii originally joined MFHS as part of the foundational team that launched the Healthy Moms Program. With over 30 years of experience in the social services field, she has held a variety of leadership positions, including Director of Social Services at First Hospital, Assistant Clinical Director at Embark Behavioral Health, and most recently, Director of Social Services at Wyoming Valley Behavioral Hospital.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Yurii brings a variety of expertise, including certifications as an ASAM Trauma-Informed Trainer and Adolescent Trauma Therapist.

“I firmly believe that the best behavioral health services are delivered in an individual’s natural surroundings (aka home, school, with their family) and need to include more than just the identified client,” Yurii said. “We cannot truly understand one another unless we are literally as close as possible to what they are facing on a day-to-day basis.”

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Yurii is a mother to three adult children and an animal lover with a unique family of pets that includes four dogs, a cat, and a beloved pig named Elvis. She enjoys Sci-Fi and Thriller movies, and loves coffee, wine, and thunderstorms.

Yurii’s commitment to enhancing behavioral health services and her belief in community-based care will be invaluable as she leads the continued development of the behavioral health program at MFHS. Please join us in welcoming Yurii as the Director of Behavioral Health Services!