Anessa Smith
Wellsburg
Summary
Mental health professional with comprehensive experience in therapeutic practices, adept at fostering positive client outcomes. Skilled in individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and treatment planning. Strong focus on collaborative team efforts and consistently achieving measurable results. Reliable and adaptable with excellent communication and problem-solving abilities, ensuring effective support in dynamic environments.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Therapist
Wild Spirit Counseling
Marshalltown, Iowa
01.2025 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to evaluate clients' mental health status, diagnostic criteria, and functional impairments
- Formulate individualized, evidence-based treatment plans in collaboration with clients, establishing measurable goals and objectives
- Manage a diverse caseload of clients experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and other life transitions
- Deliver crisis intervention and risk assessments, developing safety plans for clients experiencing acute distress or suicidal ideation
- Advocate for clients' systemic needs, assisting them in navigating school systems, healthcare barriers, and social service agencies
- Maintain precise, timely documentation of clinical notes, treatment plan updates, and discharge summaries in compliance with HIPAA regulations and agency standards
- Participate actively in clinical supervision and peer consultation groups to ensure the highest standards of ethical and clinical care
- Conducted individual and group therapy sessions utilizing evidence-based practices.
- Developed personalized treatment plans to address client-specific mental health needs.
Fresh Beginnings Kitchen Assistant
The University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Collaborated with full-time staff and other students to prepare baked items for campus dining centers
- Collaborated with full-time staff and other students to prepare fresh produce for campus dining centers
- Followed strict recipe instructions
- Maintained safety guidelines put in place by the state
- Completed daily cleaning duties
- Stocked the food storage room and coolers with newly delivered items
- Assisted in food preparation and assembly for campus dining services.
RedTails LEAD AmeriCorps Resource Ambassador
Hawkeye Community College RedTails LEAD AmeriCorps Program
Waterloo, Iowa
02.2022 - 08.2022
- Connected students to different resources around campus
- Collaborated with the Multicultural Student Organization to bring ethnic care items to the pantry
- Surveyed instructors and students to assess student needs
- Recorded student data, such as needs, contact information, etc, into our system
- Sorted and organized items within the pantry
- Served over 1500 students within the pantry
Childcare Provider
Little Rebels Learning Center
Reinbeck, Iowa
08.2021 - 02.2022
- Provided childcare between the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM, three days a week
- Oversaw the safety of children from ages 0-12
- Completed and performed Cleaning Duties
- Maintained safety guidelines put in place by the state
- Developed engaging lesson plans to foster children's cognitive and social development.
- Implemented daily activities that promoted physical, emotional, and intellectual growth in children.
Dietary Aid
Arlington Place at Grundy Center
Grundy Center, Iowa
03.2021 - 08.2021
- Served food as listed on the menu and kept up with residents' portion requests
- Motivated residents to drink liquids and take in food
- Collaborated with coworkers to cook, bake, prepare meals, and clean
- Maintained safety guidelines put in place by the state
- Interacted with residents by having conversations and making sure their needs were met
Education
Master of Social Work -
The University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa05-2025
Bachelor of Social Work -
The University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa05-2024
Associates of Liberal Arts - Social Work
Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, Iowa01-2022
Skills
- Individual counseling
- Child and adolescent therapy
Certification
- CPR Certification December 2021
- Brave & Bold Dialogues: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – College Edition April 2021
- Victim Counselor Training January 2024
- Child Abuse Mandatory Reporting August 2024
- Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporting August 2024
- Social Work Masters Level July 2025
Internships
- MSW Internship Aug 2024- May 2025
- Housing Services Internship Jan 2024- Apr 2024
- Amani Community Services Internship Mar 2022- May 2022
- Iowa Justice Action Network (Civil Rights and Social Action) Feb 2023- Apr 2023
- Amani Community Services Volunteer Feb 2023- Mar 2023 (Human Rights)
Timeline
Mental Health Therapist
Wild Spirit Counseling
01.2025 - Current
Fresh Beginnings Kitchen Assistant
The University of Northern Iowa
08.2022 - 05.2023
RedTails LEAD AmeriCorps Resource Ambassador
Hawkeye Community College RedTails LEAD AmeriCorps Program
02.2022 - 08.2022
Childcare Provider
Little Rebels Learning Center
08.2021 - 02.2022
Dietary Aid
Arlington Place at Grundy Center
03.2021 - 08.2021
Associates of Liberal Arts - Social Work
Hawkeye Community College
Master of Social Work -
The University of Northern Iowa
Bachelor of Social Work -
The University of Northern Iowa