Amy Pichardo LMSW, MCASAC, SIFI
SOUTH HACKENSACK,NJ
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Therapist
New York University
New York, NY
04.2025 - Current
- Provide timely assistance to students in crisis, utilizing active listening skills and empathy to establish rapport quickly.
- Converse with students in crisis which called or texted hotline for assistance.
- Built safety plans to lower risk of crisis and intervened in specific manners outlined by procedures.
- Implement evidence-based counseling techniques to assist clients in identifying triggers for their crises and developing healthy coping strategies moving forward.
- Develop resources for clients in need, connecting them with community services and programs that best suited their situation.
Startup Founder
Gentle Within
New York, NY & New Jersey
09.2024 - Current
- Psychotherapy: Tailored therapeutic approaches to meet the unique needs of diverse client populations (adolescents/adults) including individuals with substance use disorders and trauma histories.
- Company developer: Achieved company growth by implementing strategic plans and streamlining operations/ generate marketing. Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends.
- Independent Consultant: Provide consultation services to agencies on specific topics: e.g., mental health, curriculum development, organizational practices.
- Being provider clinical supervision by Rubernette Chavis LCSW
Behavioral Health Clinical Coordinator
The Family Center
Brooklyn, NY
03.2021 - 04.2025
- Supervise clinical interns that consist of Masters-level students that will provide treatment services for children, adolescents, young adults and adults with Mental Health and Substance Use disorders.
- Provide reflective supervision to all staff on a weekly basis, to promote development of clinical insight and intervention skills and to address burnout and self-care needs.
- Review cases with interns to ensure accurate assessment of client needs and appropriateness of intervention plan; collaborate with agency psychiatric team on cases as needed.
- Supervised and managed daily activities of clinical team consisting of 20 physicians, nurses, and support staff.
Social Worker - Child and Youth (Part-time)
Columbia Presbyterian Hospital
White Plains, NY
11.2023 - 03.2024
- Communicate with patients to assess mental health needs and develop individualized treatment plans. Meet bi-weekly with parents to explore progress.
- Engage with colleagues & fellows in treatment team meetings to promote positive patient treatment outcomes.
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions to help clients manage symptoms using (TF-CBT, DBT, MI, & CPT).
Behavioral Health Assistant Director (Part-time)
The Family Center
Brooklyn, NY
04.2023 - 03.2024
- Lead a Behavioral Health and Office of Addition Services and Supports (OASAS) department, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans.
- Reviewed and complete regulatory updates to policies and procedures.
- Generated monthly/annually grant reports to SAMSHA/meet with GPO's monthly to maintain grants (CCBHC, MAT, MAI & BACTS Trauma grant)
- Completed weekly supervision (to eight staff members who are MSW-LP, LMSW & LMHC).
Mental Health Emergency Department Worker
Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center
New Jersey
09.2022 - 09.2023
- Assessed patients in the mental health emergency room, on inpatient units, or off-site, for treatment needs, including needs for referral to other hospitals/services.
- Developed an effective and appropriate treatment/referral plan that directly corresponds with the patient needs as identified through assessment (outpatient services, inpatient psychiatric referral or social support resources).
- Coordinated with department psychiatrist and medical doctor on patient outcomes and treatment suggestions.
- Currently completing 2-4 shifts monthly.
Behavioral Health Supervisor
The Family Center
Brooklyn, NY
09.2021 - 04.2023
- Hired, trained, supervised MSW-LP, LMSW, LMHC, Certified Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counselors and peer specialist providing treatment services for adults and children with SUD & COD.
- Monitored our New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) program, Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (OOPP) and our CCBHC Clinic.
- Monitored program performance data and design and implement quality improvement efforts to address performance gaps. Completed quarterly & annually grant reports for SAMSHA grants (CCBHC, MAT, MAI, Trauma informed).
- Collaborated with facility psychiatrists, medical director, NP, to determine effectiveness of treatment for program patients.
Residential Social Worker (MSW-LP)
Create Inc.
New York, NY
09.2020 - 08.2021
- Developed functional Behavioral Assessments and Positive intervention plans for both outpatient (822.0) and residential clinics (820.0). Maintain caseload of 10-33 clients.
- Conducted weekly mental health groups such as: Understanding Trauma, Anger Management, and Alcohol & Recovery.
- Led team building activities as well as weekly staff trainings that foster team collaboration.
- Developed policies and procedures for outpatient clinic via OASAS regulation standards (822.0).
Psychiatric Liaison for Emergency Department
Mary Washington Hospital
Fredericksburg, VA
12.2019 - 07.2020
- Assessed patients at Mary Washington's emergency department for inpatient psychiatric admissions and outpatient psychiatric services.
- Completed mental health and substance abuse evaluations, eliciting clinically relevant information during the assessment process while determining suicide risk, level of acuity, and clinical diagnostic impression. Coordinated psychiatric care with medical team, to determine each patients treatment.
- Assessed patients for discharge planning needs to develop and coordinated discharge plan as determined by the patient's medical condition, activities of daily living skills, (ADLs), level of independence, functional capacity, family/social support systems, and financial resource.
Intensive In-Home Clinician- Social Work Residency
Compass Counseling Services LLC
Fredericksburg, VA
08.2018 - 06.2020
- Provided in-home family risk reduction counseling for adolescents who were at risk of being removed from their homes (due to court order treatment/ Child Protective Services (CPS) referral/ Foster care system.
- Completed in-home intake process for all prospective clients. Interviewed individuals and families to assess needs and provide psychoeducational tools.
- Completed weekly home wellness checks under licensed social worker supervision to verify client well-being in healthy and stable environment. Obtained a caseload of 25 clients/ two hour family sessions.
- Directed CPS meetings/ court hearing for clients being mandated to Juvenile Justice and Welfare System. Advocated for client to continue treatment or be placed within higher level of care.
- Supplied crisis intervention (on-call 24 hours)/ substance abuse services to help clients in community regain control of lives.
Substance Abuse Case Manager
Service For The Underserved
The Bronx, NY
11.2014 - 11.2018
- Administered residential treatment center for adults (co-ed OASAS facility) with addiction and Substance use disorder (SUD) pathology.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, including creating treatment plans and connecting clients and families to appropriate resources. Obtained case load of 20 clients.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Lead and coordinated yearly recovery month outdoor caravel.
- Completed 2010E housing application packages for clients with housing need.
- Completed social work internship program (two years) under licensed LCSW-R supervisor exploring comorbid diagnoses.
Assistant Program Supervisor
Unesco New York State Chapter, USA
New York, NY
09.2014 - 08.2016
- Directly supported African Female President of UNESCO NYS with research, operations, strategy and special project planning.
- Coordinated "The First Ladies Summit" in 2015, International Peace Conference, World Federation Commit, and International Student Camp. Monitored two undergraduate interns.
Single Session Therapist
New York University
New York, NY
04.2025 - Current
- Conduct single-session counseling appointments for students experiencing emotional, academic, interpersonal, or psychological distress.
- Complete psychosocial and risk assessments, including assessment of suicidal ideation, self-harm, safety concerns, and crisis stabilization needs.
- Provide brief therapeutic interventions utilizing supportive counseling, CBT-informed techniques, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, psychoeducation, and wellness-based approaches.
- Develop safety plans and coordinate referrals for ongoing therapy, psychiatry, group counseling, community providers, or higher levels of care when clinically indicated.
- Respond to urgent mental health situations and assist with crisis management and triage services.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - MSW Field Instructor (SIFI Certification)
Columbia University in The City of New York
New York, NY12.2023
Master of Social Work -
Yeshiva University
New York, NY08.2019
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
New York University
New York, NY05.2016
Certification
- Bilingual Fluent in Spanish/providing bilingual therapeutic counseling in Spanish.
- Master Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (M, CASAC)
- Evidence-based Practices: DBT, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing therapy (CPT),
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) certification.
- Scheduled for my LCSW exam June 2026.
Timeline
Mental Health Therapist
New York University
04.2025 - Current
Single Session Therapist
New York University
04.2025 - Current
Startup Founder
Gentle Within
09.2024 - Current
Social Worker - Child and Youth (Part-time)
Columbia Presbyterian Hospital
11.2023 - 03.2024
Behavioral Health Assistant Director (Part-time)
The Family Center
04.2023 - 03.2024
Mental Health Emergency Department Worker
Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center
09.2022 - 09.2023
Behavioral Health Supervisor
The Family Center
09.2021 - 04.2023
Behavioral Health Clinical Coordinator
The Family Center
03.2021 - 04.2025
Residential Social Worker (MSW-LP)
Create Inc.
09.2020 - 08.2021
Psychiatric Liaison for Emergency Department
Mary Washington Hospital
12.2019 - 07.2020
Intensive In-Home Clinician- Social Work Residency
Compass Counseling Services LLC
08.2018 - 06.2020
Substance Abuse Case Manager
Service For The Underserved
11.2014 - 11.2018
Assistant Program Supervisor
Unesco New York State Chapter, USA
09.2014 - 08.2016
Some College (No Degree) - MSW Field Instructor (SIFI Certification)
Columbia University in The City of New York
Master of Social Work -
Yeshiva University
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
New York University