August and September Employees of the Month: Cara Becker and Jessica Milne

We’re kicking off October by highlighting two recent Employees of the Month, Cara Becker, who we honored in August, and Jessica Milne, who we honored in September. As a therapist, Cara works to support every patient on their unique recovery journey, while Jessica, as a recovery assistant, offers guidance and encouragement as individuals navigate challenges and work towards healing. They both play an integral role in our patients’ experiences, and we’re excited to get to know them better in today’s post!

Introducing Cara Becker, Therapist and August’s Employee of the Month

In three words, how would you describe yourself?

Loyal, empathetic, and determined.

If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be?

I would love to learn how to read music and play the piano.

What’s a small thing that always brightens your day?

Hearing the birds chirp. It sounds cliché, although it’s something small that I look forward to every day.

What’s something people may not realize about the work you do?

Therapy is not “advice giving.” It is a misconception to believe that therapy is about obtaining advice and moving forward. Therapists facilitate and support patients down an avenue that they choose for themselves, that fits with their values and their goals and supports who they are and who they want to be.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in this field?

Working in this field is meaningful and impactful work. As great as that is, it’s important to separate it from your personal life. Learning how to separate the two is incredibly difficult and certainly takes practice. It is necessary, though, to be able to keep your own cup full in order to provide the best care for your patients, because they deserve that too.

What makes Hidden River’s approach to care unique in your perspective?

Hidden River works hard to truly provide individual care to each patient.  Yes, there are rules, protocols, and standards, but there is also a flexibility in being willing to tweak and adjust certain aspects to fit the care and needs of the patients. The ability to provide care in an individual aspect allows the team to truly meet the patients where they are at and provide them the care that is needed to heal the root of their eating disorder.

What’s a moment in your work here that has stayed with you?

I worked with a patient who was not only hopeless about recovery, but hopeless about life too. We focused on building a life worth living, outside of the eating disorder. On the patient’s day of discharge, she shared that, not only did she want to continue choosing recovery, but she also had finally felt a small inkling of a will to live, something that was unfamiliar to her but so powerful.

Get to Know Jessica Milne, Recovery Advocate and September’s Employee of the Month

In three words, how would you describe yourself? 

Dedicated, compassionate, and resilient.

What are you passionate about outside of work? 

Outside of work, I’m passionate about making time for the people, activities, and experiences I love. I enjoy spending quiet nights at home with my mom and my dogs, working toward personal goals through horseback riding and golf, and having fun with my friends. Lately, our current obsessions have been going to trivia and snowboarding/skiing, which have been fun ways to spend time together.

What are you currently watching, reading, listening to, or enjoying lately?

I just finished reading The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins and am now reading We Solve Murders by Richard Osman. The reading culture among both the adolescent and adult milieus is at a whole new level! Thrillers and mysteries seem to be very popular among the residents right now. They’re not typically my go-to genres, so We Solve Murders is my attempt at dipping my toes in and expanding my reading horizons.

As for music, if you ever popped my headphones out, chances are I am listening to yacht rock or the Eagles. 

What’s your favorite way to recharge or practice self-care?

I like to put on classical music any time I need to calm myself or take a minute to relax. Sometimes, I do this with the residents too. Opinions have been mixed, but I’m hoping it will catch on! 

What’s a small thing that always brightens your day?

Coming home to my dogs. No matter what kind of day I had, they are always happy to see me and their love is unconditional.

What inspired you to pursue this field?

After spending some time in the business world, I began questioning what I really wanted out of life and whether I was truly happy. I realized I yearned for a space where I could make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for higher education and a genuine thirst for learning, so pursuing a field where I could continue to grow intellectually while helping others find their own path felt like a natural fit.

How long have you been with Hidden River? 

I’ve been working at Hidden River since March of 2026. 

What’s your favorite part of your workday?

My favorite part of the workday is when I have the opportunity to sit down and have meaningful conversations with the patients. Being able to connect beyond small talk and learn about their individual stories gives me a deeper understanding of who they are and what brought them to treatment. Those conversations provide valuable insight that helps me better understand their needs, strengthen our connection, and ultimately do my job to the best of my ability.

What do you find most meaningful about the work we do at Hidden River?

What I find most meaningful about the work that we do at Hidden River is simply making a difference. I love being a part of something bigger than myself. Hidden River is a place where people can feel supported, understood, and cared for during what is likely a difficult and transformative time in their lives. Seeing someone grow, gain confidence, and find their way back to themselves is one of the most fulfilling parts of this work. Knowing that each member of the Hidden River team has contributed to that journey in some way is what makes it so special to me.

What’s a moment in your work here that has stayed with you? 

I don’t think there is one particular moment that stands out to me, but rather a collection of small moments that, together, have given me a great sense of accomplishment and happiness. It might be when a patient finally feels comfortable enough to share something they’ve been holding in or when I receive a letter from a patient before they leave expressing the impact I’ve had on them during their stay. These moments may seem small, but they are incredibly meaningful to me. They remind me why I chose to make this career switch and give me confidence that I made the right decision. 

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in this field?

Understand that the work can be demanding, but it is also incredibly rewarding. I would encourage anyone interested in this career to come in with an open mind, a strong sense of compassion, and a thick skin. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, and there will certainly be challenging days. But the moments when you know you’ve made a difference in someone’s life make all of the hard days worth it.

Cara Becker and Jessica Milne, congratulations to you both! 

We’re so grateful for your passion and dedication. 

To learn more about Hidden River, visit our website or contact us at info@hiddenriverhealing.com.