Pros
Good benefits. Meaningful work with clients overcoming trauma and addiction. On-site supervisor is highly skilled, trauma-informed, and extremely dedicated and kind.
Cons
The Hernando CI (Brooksville, FL) location is not a sustainable or supportive environment for clinical staff. I came into this role with years of experience, a pristine record in TCU behavioral and cognitive programming, recognition as a lead counselor at my previous facility, and consistently on-time documentation. Even with that background, the structural issues here made the job nearly impossible. Severe understaffing: I was the only counselor on site. My supervisor carried a full prevention caseload in addition to supervisory duties. We didn't have a proper administrative assistant or clinical support staff. Every inmate peer facilitator application was denied, leaving us with zero operational help. Excessive workload: Required to maintain a caseload of 50 clients (which is doable with administrative support). Significant administrative demands. Basic needs like taking a lunch or restroom break were difficult. Upper management dismissed the burnout concerns. Interference with treatment: Once trust was built, clients enjoyed groups, engaged deeply, and often laughed—rare moments of genuine wellness in a punitive setting. Unfortunately, groups were frequently interrupted for being “too loud,” disrupting therapeutic progress and undermining the safe environment we worked hard to create. Compensation: The pay does not reflect the emotional intensity, workload, or responsibility. Comparable income can be made delivering food, with far more freedom and significantly less stress. Work culture: The environment can be petty, punitive, and at times discriminatory. Little respect for the program or for clinical leadership. I previously worked at a facility with 10 peer facilitators, an administrative assistant, and clinical support; the difference was stark. Transferring to Hernando CI was the worst career decision I’ve made, as the lack of resources made it extremely difficult to provide the quality of care clients deserved. Bottom line: If you want to work for Gateway Foundation within corrections, Marion Correctional (Ocala, FL) offers far more support, balance, and a healthier work environment.
