The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Join Dr. Ken Huey on The Voice of Hope, where real stories and expert insights meet to inspire healing and transformation. With decades of experience in behavioral health and trauma therapy, Dr. Huey draws from his personal journey and professional expertise to offer practical advice for families, adoptees, and anyone seeking growth. Discover strategies to navigate trauma, build stronger relationships, and embrace hope in every episode. Tune in for thoughtful conversations that uplift and empower.
The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Damir S. Utrzan, Ph.D., LMFT – President & CEO, Horowitz Health
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On this episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Damir S. Utrzan, Ph.D., LMFT, President and CEO of Horowitz Health. Damir shares his journey from clinician to executive leader, exploring how personal experiences, adversity, and research have shaped his approach to behavioral health. He dives into the science of resilience, the power of mentorship, and the importance of building sustainable systems that create hope for individuals, families, and communities.
From understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to leading with grace, patience, and intentional restraint, Damir provides insight into what it truly takes to drive meaningful impact in behavioral health leadership.
Whether you’re a mental health professional, leader, or simply interested in the intersection of science, compassion, and effective leadership, this conversation offers practical wisdom and hope.
00:00:00 – 00:00:27
Ken Huey: Welcome to the Voice of Hope, where bold leaders and healers share how they're building hope. Not just talking about it. I'm Dr. Ken Huey. Let's meet the change makers transforming lives from the therapy room to the boardroom. Today's guest is Dr. Damir Erson, president and CEO of Horowitz Health.
00:00:27 – 00:00:43
Ken Huey: Drawing from your journey from direct practice into executive leadership, you bring a thoughtful perspective on healing, accountability, and building sustainable systems. Damir, thanks for being with us.
00:00:43 – 00:00:45
Damir S. Utrzan: Thanks for having me, Ken.
00:00:45 – 00:00:55
Ken Huey: Absolutely. So I always like to start with kind of a Simon Sinek question: why this slice of life? Why would you pick this to hang your hat on?
00:00:55 – 00:03:53
Damir S. Utrzan: [Explains his journey from graduate school to leadership, blending clinical practice and research, accidental path into executive roles, and the “scientist-practitioner” model.]
00:03:54 – 00:04:10
Ken Huey: Absolutely fascinating. I went to Purdue for my PhD in marriage and family therapy and felt the same—realized the university life wasn't for me.
00:04:10 – 00:04:46
Damir S. Utrzan: [Discusses systems thinking in marriage and family therapy and how operational decisions cascade into clinical implications.]
00:04:46 – 00:04:58
Ken Huey: So merging family therapy and systems thinking, how does that impact leading a behavioral health care organization?
00:04:58 – 00:06:12
Damir S. Utrzan: [Shares insight about leadership, mentoring, communication, and applying therapy principles to executive decisions.]
00:06:12 – 00:08:02
Ken Huey: Let's talk about ACEs. In your research on Adverse Childhood Experiences, what insights have most influenced your approach to mental health and clinical care?
00:08:02 – 00:09:30
Damir S. Utrzan: [Describes his research, the importance of perceived control, resilience, and translating personal ACEs experience into clinical and leadership insights.]
00:09:30 – 00:12:43
Ken Huey: How has your own ACEs score impacted your ability to work with clients?
Damir S. Utrzan: [Discusses how his high ACEs score shaped empathy, seeing strengths beyond the surface, role of positive relationships, and impact of teachers and mentors.]
00:13:02 – 00:15:55
Ken Huey: Can you share an example of doing less and having a greater impact than doing more?
Damir S. Utrzan: [Talks about restraint in leadership, allowing others to operate effectively, modeling behavior, and avoiding reactionary decisions.]
00:15:55 – 00:18:58
Ken Huey: What lessons from being a grief therapist or disaster responder shape your executive decisions today?
Damir S. Utrzan: [Emphasizes grace, patience, listening, and leading by example in high-stakes and trauma-informed environments.]
00:19:13 – 00:20:59
Ken Huey: What gives you hope in this field right now?
Damir S. Utrzan: [Finds hope in committed colleagues, leadership that shields teams from unnecessary stress, and the resilience of providers navigating challenging environments.]
00:21:01 – 00:21:36
Ken Huey: Thank you for spending time with us today.
Damir S. Utrzan: Grateful for the opportunity. Encourages breaking free from self-imposed limitations to maximize impact beyond degrees.
00:21:38 – 00:21:47
Ken Huey: Thanks for joining us on The Voice of Hope. Remember, hope isn’t just a feeling—it’s a force.
