At Women Offshore, we’re committed to highlighting conversations that support the health, safety, and success of women in the maritime industry. In our latest podcast episode, The How-To of Healing, we welcome Pam Kern, MS, LCSW—an expert whose career bridges the gap between life at sea and mental health support on shore.Pam brings a rare and valuable perspective to the topic of therapy. She spent 18 years sailing the globe as a Guest Relations Manager aboard cruise ships, overseeing the well-being of up to 3,200 guests and crew at a time. After coming ashore, she turned her attention to the mental health needs of maritime professionals, earning her master’s degree in advanced clinical social work from Columbia University and dedicating her career to trauma-informed care for those in our industry.Now serving as Director of Maritime Mental Health Services at Port Medical Management in Houston, Pam also runs a private therapy practice and speaks internationally on maritime mental health advocacy, prevention, and intervention. She’s a clinical trauma psychotherapist, an employee assistance program (EAP) professional, and the spouse of an active sea captain, offering a well-rounded, deeply informed view on what mental health looks like for those who live and work at sea.In this episode, Pam breaks down the “how-to” of therapy: What therapy really looks like. How to get started. How to find someone who gets your lifestyle. And why addressing mental health head-on is essential—not optional—for maritime professionals today.Whether you’re struggling, seeking tools to stay grounded, or simply curious about how therapy works, this episode will help demystify the process and empower you to take the first step.Listen now and learn how to navigate your own path to healing—on land or at sea.You can find Pam on LinkedIn and at Pamkern.comDon’t Miss an Episode!Make sure you’re subscribed to the Women Offshore Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss a single episode of our relaunch! Did you know that every episode of our podcast is created and managed entirely in-house? Our dedicated team at Women Offshore pours their hearts into bringing you inspiring stories and valuable insights from the maritime industry. This work is made possible through the generous support of our community. Every donation—big or small—helps us amplify voices, create meaningful change, and support the maritime industry.If you’d like to be part of this mission, click here to contribute: https://womenoffshore.org/donation/Thank you to our 2025 Podcast Sponsor, the US Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation. Thank you for being part of the Women Offshore community!

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related