Amy KRAUSE
Sinking Spring,PA
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate mental health professional with extensive experience in providing therapeutic support to a variety of populations. Skilled in individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and mental health assessment. Known for empathy, patience, collaborative approach, and excellent written and oral communication skills. Strong focus on fostering emotional well-being and facilitating patient growth.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Dual Diagnosis Therapist/Mental Health Therapist
Reading Hospital Outpatient Behavioral Health
01.2015 - 01.2025
- Maintained a caseload of 50-85 patients with a range of diagnoses, including co-occurring disorders.
- Conducted comprehensive initial evaluations to gather patient history and ascertain treatment needs.
- Developed individualized treatment plans to address client-specific mental health concerns and goals.
- Provided individual therapy, implementing a variety of therapeutic approaches to provide effective and individualized care, and to achieve therapy goals.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions, promoting a supportive environment for shared learning and growth. Covered topics such as emotion regulation, communication skills development and relapse prevention strategies, among others related to mental health improvement outcomes.
- Facilitated family therapy sessions to support communication, boundary setting, and healthy relationships among family members affected by mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
- Increased therapy accessibility by integrating telehealth options for those with transportation, health, or scheduling issues.
- Assisted uninsured patients with securing drug and alcohol treatment funding through the Council on Chemical Abuse.
- Established strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and open communication, by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural sensitivity.
- Provided crisis intervention services, stabilizing clients in distress and connecting them with necessary resources or initiating a higher level of care, when appropriate.
- Coached patients on effective coping strategies, enhancing resilience and empowering them to manage symptoms independently outside of therapy sessions.
- Managed patient symptoms of anxiety and depression with cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, mindfulness exercises, and psychodynamic approaches.
- Maintained detailed patient records, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and effective tracking of progress.
- Coordinated care with psychiatrists, primary care physicians, and other relevant healthcare providers to ensure seamless continuity of care for patients.
- Collaborated with and provided treatment updates to probation, parole, and case managers.
- Partnered with select team members to transition the outpatient psychiatry department from a paper intake packet to an electronic intake questionnaire.
- Mentored medical students, fostering professional development by educating on therapeutic techniques and patient management practices.
- Continuously updated professional knowledge through ongoing research, continued education trainings, and participation in regular clinical supervision.
Psychological Education Specialist
Transitions Program at Reading Hospital and Medical Center
01.2008 - 01.2015
- Worked closely with program teacher in a school-based psychoeducational program to establish and maintain a positive and therapeutic classroom environment, fostering mutual respect and open communication among students and staff.
- Collaboratively developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student emotional and academic needs.
- Facilitated three daily group therapy sessions focused on life skills, psychoeducation, and creative emotional expression to bolster emotional intelligence, increase emotional regulation skills, and enhance resilience.
- Assisted students in developing and reaching personal program goals
- Assessed individual student needs to create lesson plans fostering emotional wellbeing, personal growth, and development of program goals.
- Provided individualized support for students, maintained regular communication with outpatient therapists, and utilized appropriate crisis interventions when necessary.
- Collaborated with families and interdisciplinary teams during intake, review, and discharge planning meetings to enhance support of program objectives, discuss emotional and educational needs, and review behavior standards.
- Provided drug and alcohol assessments for students in the Partners Partial Hospitalization Program, and offered recommendations for substance abuse treatment when warranted.
- Additional experience providing medication deliveries for individuals with chronic mental illness with the Assertive Community Treatment Program.
Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Counselor
CRC Coatesville Treatment Center
01.2004 - 01.2008
- Maintained a caseload of 35 patients in a medication assisted treatment program.
- Conducted intake interviews to gather comprehensive client histories and identify treatment needs.
- Developed personalized treatment plans based on client assessments and bi-monthly progress evaluations.
- Facilitated individual and group counseling sessions to promote recovery, personal growth, peer support, and healthy coping mechanisms.
- Recognized for attention to detail and thorough completion of all required documentation, including psychosocial evaluations, interpretive summaries, comprehensive treatment plans, progress notes, bi-monthly treatment plan review and updates, quarterly reviews, and annual reviews.
- Collaborated with patients to implement transition planning and discharge aftercare planning for continued recovery after treatment.
- Participated in and advocated for patients during weekly treatment team meetings.
- Prepared progress reports for other agencies as needed.
- Revamped and streamlined the admissions process as Admissions Coordinator.
- Conducted ASAM assessments to accurately identify patient needs and recommend the appropriate level of care.
- Maintained strict confidentiality standards as mandated by federal and state regulations and ethical guidelines.
Therapeutic Staff Support
Milestones Community Healthcare, Inc.
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Provided wrap-around services for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Worked closely with behavioral specialists to identify client’s behavioral patterns and needs.
- Implemented treatment plans by providing direct interventions with client, family, and/or teachers.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA01-2003
Certified Alcohol And Drug Counselor -
Pennsylvania Certification Board
01-2008
Skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Excellent communication
- Electronic charting
- Empathy and active listening
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Analytical thinking
- Individual therapy
- Patient assessment
- Relationship building
- Group therapy
- Patient documentation
Timeline
Dual Diagnosis Therapist/Mental Health Therapist
Reading Hospital Outpatient Behavioral Health
01.2015 - 01.2025
Psychological Education Specialist
Transitions Program at Reading Hospital and Medical Center
01.2008 - 01.2015
Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Counselor
CRC Coatesville Treatment Center
01.2004 - 01.2008
Therapeutic Staff Support
Milestones Community Healthcare, Inc.
01.2003 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Pennsylvania State University
Certified Alcohol And Drug Counselor -
Pennsylvania Certification Board