Amanda Brilla
Meshoppen,PA
Summary
Experienced correctional professional seeking a leadership position where I can leverage my institutional knowledge, supervisory experience, and commitment to departmental policies and procedures to ensure the safe, secure, and effective operation of a correctional housing unit. Dedicated to promoting accountability, developing staff, maintaining order, and fostering positive inmate management while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, security, and institutional safety.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Psychological Services Specialist/ Mental Health Coordinator/ Certified Recovery Specialist Supervisor
SCI Dallas
Dallas, PA
07.2020 - Current
- Retreat variety of inmate pop - GP, D stab, RTU, BMU, SRTU, RHU, DTU as well as have experience working with PV reception during COVID
- MHC - coordinated care with Unit managers for psych recommended housing, medical staff specifically nursing, nursing supervisors, CHCA, worked with Zone Lts and Zone sergeants for movement of inmates, RHU lt for movement of inmates between RHU/POC - held continuity of care calls with other SCIs regarding inmate transfers including D stability, MHU commitments and BSOAU and BMU placement - meetings including psych/psychiatry, majors and deputy staff
- LPM Designee - worked with DSCS to coordinate care within psych dept including monitoring of PSS job responsibilities and providing direction of policy changes. Prepared for 3 quarterly psych audits and 1 annual psych audit. Completed 18 ACA files and distributed, collected and corrected ACA files from psych staff. Chaired 2 clinical reviews for serious suicide attempts presenting this information to administration and forwarding it to central office attended leadership meetings as dept representative - department head, hunger strike and QI - improved leadership skills, audit compliance, quality assurance and staff accountability
- UM - oversaw daily operations of 2 housing units, daily bed management - reports, SDTP/PV, worked with maintenance for repairs of units (including 18 cells), addressed inmate concerns and was visibly present on unit for daily rounds, implantation of correction block needs and support during high traffic block times (commissary), supervised), supervised 2 EPRs, prepared for 2 RDS inspc, 2 quart tool inspect, ACA files, 30 parole staffing 1 commutation, 3 inmate grievance, sanctioned 75 misconducts, attended PRC 6x. Held monthly unit meetings addressing staff concerns - funeral visits POA.
- Stress teamwork, collaborative care with security, counselors, PSS, held staff accountable provided direction managed my time efficiently and was detailed oriented.
- Progression in corrections leads me to be qualified for the UM position
Acting Unit Manager, Unit 1
SCI Dallas
Dallas, PA
01.2026 - 07.2026
- leadership - visible, approachable. communicate direction, provide guidance and support. I am collaborative and emphasize a multidisciplinary approach, I applaud staff for their strengths and encourage growth. Want staff to see me as professional, fair and consistent but know that i can make difficult decisions and hold them accountable when necessary. Strong leaders boost morale and drive goals forward.
- Advantages - coordination of case management due to smaller pop, improved staff and inmate rapport, enhanced security and rapid response to situation on housing unit as well as earlier response for deescalation needs, accountability as each housing unit as UM for operational needs
- Disadvantage's - staff complacency, staff burnout with problematic inmates, inconsistency of standards as each unit may run slightly differently due to difference staff assignments, operational complexity with coordination of different units for dif needs.
- JOB of UM - balance safety and security of the housing unit, staff accountability, inmate management and case managed treatment needs. policy is being followed, addressing inmate concerns and block concerns early and deescalating, supporting staff proving sound direction and problem solving
- STRENTHS - time management, making swift and sound decisions, detail oriented, communicate clearly, concise consistently, express expectations and hold staff accountable
- Limitations - strategic thinking - turning short term execution with long term goals.
Psychological Services Specialist
SCI Retreat
Hunlock Creek, PA
12.2016 - 07.2020
- Provided mental health support through individual and group sessions for incarcerated individuals.
- Administered, scored, and interpreted psychological assessments.
- Prepared psychological evaluations to guide custody level changes and parole board decisions.
- Developed individual recovery plans and participated in weekly multidisciplinary treatment meetings.
- Served on inmate review committee to evaluate new incarcerated individuals for mental health symptoms.
- Trained staff on suicide prevention and intervention strategies to support at-risk individuals.
- Coordinated sex offender program by managing waitlist and evaluating programming needs.
- Active member of CISM team since 2018; participated in SCI Retreat Empowerment Committee from 2016 to 2020.
Senior Inpatient Therapist
First Hospital
Kingston, PA
01.2015 - 12.2016
- Oversaw caseload of 12 to 15 adult mental health patients in hospital inpatient unit from January 2015 through January 2016 and July 2016 to December 2016, delivering tailored therapeutic interventions.
- Managed caseload of 10 adolescent mental health patients in inpatient setting, ensuring comprehensive care from February 2016 to July 2016.
- Provided individual, group, couples and family therapy to patients and their families based on their counseling needs.
- Completed clinical assessments, substance abuse evaluations, and progress notes.
- Coordinated services within organization and with outside agencies, facilitating High Risk meetings, IA meetings, CASP meetings, and collaboration with insurance providers and housing resources.
- Provided assistance and direction to graduate and undergraduate counseling, psychology and medical student-interns.
- Implemented individualized treatment plans to enhance patient outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure patient support.
Education
M.S. - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
University of Scranton
12-2014
B.S. - Psychology, Counseling
University of Scranton
05-2011
Skills
- Interdepartmental communication
- Multidisciplinary coordination
- Multitasking and organization
- Team leadership
- Audit compliance
- Inmate management
- Conflict resolution
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Staff supervision
- Policy implementation
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
Clinical Experience
- MARWORTH TREATMENT CENTER, Waverly, PA Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Treatment Center
- Outpatient Graduate Intern, 5/2014 to 12/2014
- Under the supervision of Bill Poray, LCSW, CAC, Outpatient Coordinator, 600 hours of outpatient therapeutic treatment was completed.
- Selected Accomplishments:
- Co-facilitated and clinically collaborated, with outpatient therapists, in Intensive Outpatient Program, Women's Group, Stage II Recovery Group, Health Care Professionals Group and Family Education Program, as well as provided patients with individual therapy.
- Familiarized with electronic medical records; Tier.
- Completed DAP notes, as well as re-evaluations and intake assessments.
- UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON, Scranton, PA Private, co-educational Catholic and Jesuit University
- Practicum Student, 1/2013 to 5/2013
- Under the supervision of Sr. Ann Perrin, M.S., 100 hours of undergraduate counseling was completed.
- Provided a caseload of 12 undergraduate students with individual counseling in various areas including career, academic, crisis and addiction.
- Completed DAP notes and maintained client charts.
- Familiarized with both the Strong Interest Inventory and SDS assessments.
- Completed depression, drug and alcohol and eating disorder screenings.
- NORTHWESTERN HUMAN SERVICES, Carbondale, PA Community based, non-profit, human services provider
- Undergraduate Intern, 8/2010 to 12/2010
- Under the supervision of Marissa Hibbard, M.S., 100 hours of in school partial hospitalization therapeutic treatment was completed.
- Assisted in providing individual and group counseling to 12 clinically diagnosed children, in a partial hospitalization program, through Carbondale Area High School, as well as assisted with weekly family sessions.
- Completed weekly clinical DAP notes, for individual, group and family sessions.
- Assisted with construction of client treatment plans and implementation of behavioral modification systems.
Timeline
Acting Unit Manager, Unit 1
SCI Dallas
01.2026 - 07.2026
Psychological Services Specialist/ Mental Health Coordinator/ Certified Recovery Specialist Supervisor
SCI Dallas
07.2020 - Current
Psychological Services Specialist
SCI Retreat
12.2016 - 07.2020
Senior Inpatient Therapist
First Hospital
01.2015 - 12.2016
M.S. - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
University of Scranton
B.S. - Psychology, Counseling
University of Scranton