Candice Bardales, LCSW, LAC
Bilingual Behavioral Health Provider
Denver,CO
Summary
Dedicated bilingual behavioral health provider with expertise in substance use recovery and a commitment to providing high-quality, culturally sensitive services in a meaningful integrated health setting. Versatile skill set including five years of direct clinical practice in healthcare as well as experience working internationally and domestically to collaborate with communities, young people, and families on advancing well-being and equity.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Substance Treatment and Behavioral Health Provider
Denver Health Hospital Authority
Denver, Colorado
10.2024 - 10.2025
- Provided high-quality clinical services to referred individuals, including short-term evidence-based interventions, support services, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams as needed.
- Conducted brief diagnostic screenings using evidence-based assessments and screening tools for mental health and substance use disorder evaluation.
- Assessed diagnoses as appropriate and necessary for quality care in accordance with DSM-5-TR and ASAM criteria.
- Delivered health behavior change interventions utilizing Motivational Interviewing techniques.
- Consulted with providers as part of an interdisciplinary team and developed recommendations, referrals, and case management plans as appropriate.
- Conducted safety and risk assessments as indicated.
- Documented assessments and interventions in the medical record in a timely and accurate manner.
- Provided education, treatment guidance, and referrals to family members when appropriate.
Bilingual Behavioral Health Provider
Salud Family Health Center
Aurora, Colorado
09.2020 - 09.2024
- Completed clinical assessments for primary care patients from children to end of life, provided in-house brief interventions, assessed and planned for safety, and communicated effectively with integrated care teams to improve client care and coordinate necessary referrals.
- Delivered tailored, person-centered therapy sessions during 6-12-week episodes for clients experiencing a variety of mental health conditions and or substance use disorders.
- Created timely and high-quality clinical documentation of all encounters.
- Facilitated in-office trainings on the topic of gender affirming care best practices for all clinic staff members.
- Provided supportive and rigorous clinical supervision including individual meetings, behavioral observation, documentation review, and consultation to support unlicensed clinician practice.
Bilingual Behavioral Health Intern
Sheridan Health Services Family Health Clinic
Denver, Colorado
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Collaborated with primary care team staff to implement brief therapeutic interventions and conduct supervised risk assessments.
- Delivered 1-hour therapy sessions to families and individuals for 8-12-week episodes of care.
- Accomplished timely and high-quality clinical documentation of all encounters and appropriately used supervision to review and improve clinical interventions.
- Co-facilitated in-office trainings and community education workshops on mental health topics.
Teen Mentor & Field Interviewer
The Kempe Center/University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
08.2018 - 06.2020
- Identified and creatively applied appropriate intervention techniques in a wide variety of client home and community settings, including participating in group skills workshops with teens.
- Coordinated with caregivers, caseworkers, and school staff to support youth’s identified goals.
- Actively engaged in weekly clinical trainings, group supervision, and individual supervision.
- Administered 4-hour qualitative field interviews to study participants twice monthly.
Youth Counselor
Daisy Center Group Foster Home
Denver, Colorado
06.2016 - 08.2016
- Coordinated and supervised 10 youth’s daily activities, meals, and appointments.
- Provided support and guidance to youth through healthy relationships and boundaries in order to promote positive life choices through goal setting, responsibility, and self-esteem.
- Managed health and security emergencies and mental health crises and assured youth safety.
Victim Advocate
Tu Casa Inc.
Alamosa, Colorado
09.2013 - 05.2014
- Assisted clients in crisis through safety planning and accessing emergency support.
- Provided advocacy for filing legal paperwork and attending court hearings.
- Collaborated in supervision with government agencies to streamline victim services.
- Managed the 24-hour emergency hotline; including volunteer recruitment and oversight.
- Accomplished duties including event planning, document translation, grant acquisition.
- Co-facilitated community prevention workshops on skills for health relationships.
Volunteer Victim Advocate
Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence
Boulder, Colorado
02.2012 - 05.2013
- Worked directly with law enforcement to provide survivors of domestic violence with resources and peer counseling; visiting the local jail or hospitals for on-scene support.
- Gave on-site paperwork and emotional assistance at the Boulder County Courthouse to clients.
- Co-facilitated trainings for new volunteers and staff and lead a weekend volunteer team.
Education
Master of Social Work - Concentration in Family Systems
University of Denver
Denver06.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Women’s and Gender Studies
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO05.2013
Skills
Accomplishments
Completed two-years of coursework and specialized clinical supervision and passed MAC exam to become a Licensed Addiction Counselor in 2024.
JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) founding member at Salud Family Health Center, 2023.
CLIMB@DU Stipend Recipient 2019-2020 - HRSA grant providing for specialized training in Integrated Behavioral Health.
DU GSSW Latinx Certificate Recipient - Completed specialized coursework in clinical practice skills for serving Latinx individuals and families.
Timeline
Substance Treatment and Behavioral Health Provider
Denver Health Hospital Authority
10.2024 - 10.2025
Bilingual Behavioral Health Provider
Salud Family Health Center
09.2020 - 09.2024
Bilingual Behavioral Health Intern
Sheridan Health Services Family Health Clinic
08.2019 - 06.2020
Teen Mentor & Field Interviewer
The Kempe Center/University of Denver
08.2018 - 06.2020
Youth Counselor
Daisy Center Group Foster Home
06.2016 - 08.2016
Victim Advocate
Tu Casa Inc.
09.2013 - 05.2014
Volunteer Victim Advocate
Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence
02.2012 - 05.2013
Master of Social Work - Concentration in Family Systems
University of Denver
Bachelor of Arts - Women’s and Gender Studies
University of Colorado
Community Experience
- Research Assistant, 2018-08-01, 2019-06-01, Butler Institute for Families, University of Denver, Denver, CO, Completed administrative duties including transcription of audio recorded qualitative interviews and coding data, Maintained consistent and clear communication with research team members to promote effective workflows.
- Independent Consultant, 2016-09-01, 2016-11-01, Asociación Puente, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala, Provided revisions of existing program manuals and curriculum for sensitivity to violence survivors, Designed and conducted a qualitative field review to measure instances of family violence in project communities and suggest prevention strategies, Wrote and facilitated a one-day staff training on working with survivors of family violence.
- Youth in Development Rural Community Volunteer, 2014-07-01, 2016-05-01, United States Peace Corps, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Implemented regular in-school activities with 150+ local youth to meet project goals and objectives on the topics of self-esteem, leadership, teamwork, identity, diversity, communication, goal-setting, decision making, drug and alcohol use prevention, and sexual health education, Organized a Self Esteem and Empowerment Camp to address local youth needs including 35+ youth and adult participants and $2400 raised through individual fundraising efforts and grants, Worked as a member of the Gender Committee for Peace Corps Guatemala to provide sensitivity trainings, resources, and support to volunteers.