Soul of 78- Quatita Harton
Youth and Family Therapist, Adam Bishop Center
Words by Cooper Kirkpatrick | Image by Ryan McGill
Quatita Harton has made it her mission to provide an outlet for children who may not have the means to express themselves. She also helps to bring struggling families back together.
Born and raised in Jasper, Quatita originally planned to become a physical therapist and began pursuing that path at Jackson State University. When she learned she would need to transfer schools to complete the program, she reconsidered her plans. Instead, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, and immediately began her career after graduating in 2003.
In 2004, Quatita moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she spent ten years as a case manager for the foster care system. since. “As I got into my role in Chicago, I learned that I really enjoyed working with children and helping families. I’m very family oriented,” Quatita says.
After encouragement from professional counselor Kathryn Sapoznick—who told her she would make a great therapist—and following the birth of her son, Quatita returned to Jasper. Soon after, she joined the Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center: Adam Bishop Center, where she has worked ever since.
Her motivation comes from the simple but powerful acts of being there for children in need, listening to those who may not have another outlet, and supporting families as they work toward reunification. She acknowledges that no two cases are the same, and she says the most rewarding aspect of her work is building trust with children who may feel they can no longer trust anyone.
Also serving as the child and adolescent outpatient coordinator at Adam Bishop Center, Quatita manages her own casework in family support and mental health counseling while overseeing Adam Bishop Center outpatient therapists in local school districts and several other positions. The flexibility of her role allows her to extend her help in various ways.
“This is a profession that one must truly enjoy,” she says. “It involves interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, each with their own unique challenges. To be successful in this role, one must embrace all aspects of life and approach it with a genuine passion.”
Quatita acknowledges the heartbreaking realities she sometimes faces in her work, but her open mind and willingness to explore new therapy techniques keep her motivated to find solutions. Above all, she remains dedicated to improving the lives of people in her hometown.
“I enjoy witnessing positive transformations in the children and their families, and observing the progress of kids in my community,” she says.
That reward is a reflection of her belief that every child deserves to feel heard, every family deserves a chance to heal, and every community is strengthened when people step in to care for one another. And her career is a calling that continues to shape Jasper for the better. 78