As part of our monthly series, we’re introducing team members from the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health. In each feature, you’ll learn more about their interests, the projects they support, and the work they’re leading across TIEMH.
This month, we’re spotlighting Lytton St.Stephen (they/he). Lytton serves as a Senior Administrative Program Coordinator for the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, supporting the Texas Behavioral Health and Justice project, implementing and facilitating Sequential Intercept Model workshops across the state.
Lytton is a native New Mexican who moved to Texas in 2018. They earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico, double-majoring in Psychology and Cinematic Arts, and completed a Master of Public Administration with a concentration on rural communities in 2025.
Professionally, they have worked almost exclusively in behavioral health, which has included positions in psychometry, forensic and acute case management, as well as program management in the non-profit sector. They have also worked as an independent cinematographer and as an independent consultant in the for-profit sector.
In their free time, Lytton enjoys reading, traveling, working out, as well as writing and publishing poetry and short essays. Above all, they most enjoy spending time with their sweet wife and rambunctious sheepadoodle, Pants (AKA “Pantsadoodle”). Lytton is driven by a desire to leave the world better than they found it and to recognize and appreciate ecstatic temporalities in the day-to-day. More Joy!
Let’s dive into Lytton’s interview:
What projects do you work on?
I work on the Texas Behavioral Health and Justice project where I primarily work with HHSC, and other organizations to plan and facilitate Sequential Intercept Model mapping workshops throughout Texas. I also serve as the SIM subject matter expert on my team. The benefits of the SIM are wide reaching and thus the scope of my work is equally expansive.
What do you enjoy about working at TIEMH?
I can say unequivocally that working at TIEMH and on the TXBHJ team has been the best job I’ve ever had. I find the work both challenging and fulfilling, and the people I get to work with are all smart, capable, and kind human beings. A few things I especially appreciate about working here at TIEMH include the following. The work culture is immaculate *chefs kiss*. So much of that is due to the environment that Molly and Stacey curate with their calm and confident leadership. I appreciate that I am asked questions such as “Is your workload too heavy?” or “What kind of support do you need?” People are kind and respectful of one another. All of these are rare qualities in a workplace, and I am grateful to be here.
What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
I find that I like to read several books at the same time ( I know, I know) it’s slightly chaotic but it works for me. So, with that in mind, the books I am currently reading are
Right now, I am reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown- it’s a historical account of the systematic displacement and destruction of the Native American tribes who inhabited the Plains during the 19th century. It’s alternately infuriating and heartbreaking and is overall an extremely compelling account that centers Native perspectives, using their own words as often as possible.
I am also re-reading Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings by Joy Harjo. I had the incredible opportunity to meet her just a few weeks ago when she came to Amarillo! One of my favorite poems from this collection is entitled “This Morning I Pray for My Enemies”.
As for watching, my sweet wife and I have recently finished a series entitled How to get to Heaven from Belfast. It was created by the same woman behind Derry Girls which is another charming series I would recommend.
I also watched a horror/ thriller called Good Boy which centers a dog called Indy as the protagonist. We watch the story unfold through her eyes. If you’ve seen it please tell me so we can discuss!
Lastly, I just finished a documentary called Poto and Cabengo which follows twin sisters who developed one of the most complex private languages on record after growing up largely isolated from others.
What’s something you enjoy in spring?
In general, I’m not really a spring person, but my wife and I do enjoy planting flowers in the flowerbeds that surround our house. It’s so beautiful when they bloom in summer. We have a saying in our household, “More Joy” even if that sometimes means you have to plant the seeds of joy your own goshdarn self.
More Joy, friends!
Thanks for sharing, Lytton!
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