Cherie Thomas
Glen Burnie,Maryland
Summary
Experienced mental health counselor delivering comprehensive services for optimal treatment. Possess critical understanding of complex diagnoses and treatment plans. Familiar with community-based education programs to improve patient health.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Counselor, Advanced
Behavioral Health
Greenbelt, MD
06.2019 - Current
- Provide brief behavioral health consultations to individuals, couples, and/or families in order to understand cases and create possible treatment plans
- Identify, refer, and advocate for patients needing specialty behavioral health service, substance abuse referrals and other services as needed
- Collaborate with external agencies and organizations on client evaluation, care plans, and follow-up appointments to ensure quality care of clients and increase success of established treatment plans
- Prepares progress reports and completion notices as requested for courts, probation departments, and referral sources as appropriate
- Establish and maintain open, collaborative relationships with program participants, their families, and surrounding communities in order to spread awareness about common behavioral health issues and available treatments
- Participate in staff development opportunities and stay up to date with research and new initiatives in the counseling field
- Provide input on the implementation of new processes to maintain and enhance organizational procedures and policies
- Implement new processes to enhance organizational procedures, while staying current with research and initiatives in the counseling field
- Foster open relationships with clients and families, raising awareness about behavioral health issues and available treatments in the community
- Maintain meticulous documentation adhering to federal and state guidelines, preparing progress reports for courts and referral sources as needed
Parole and Probation Agent
Maryland Division of Parole and Probation
Waldorf, MD
05.2010 - 09.2021
- Identify and refer patients to specialized services, advocating for their needs and monitoring treatment plan success through follow-up appointments
- Conduct behavioral health consultations, develop tailored treatment plans, and foster partnerships with external agencies to ensure holistic client care
- Conduct introductory consultations with parolees in order to develop a plan of action for parolees that may include finding a job, securing low-cost housing and attending court mandated programs
- Counsel parolees on acceptable behaviors and provide guidance on life skills needed to become productive citizens of society
- Accompany paroles to court hearings in order to confer and advocate with attorneys, court aids and various legal representatives, such as public defenders and community representatives, regarding the information gathered during the screening, assessment and supervision processes
- Initiate in-person meetings with assigned parolees and their family members to review court orders, answer questions and establish updated guidelines and expectations
- Access criminal justice information systems to perform all case management related activities, which include risk screening, assessments, case planning, interventions and various other actions
- Maintained productive relationships with credit bureaus, police and law enforcement bureaus
- Ensured that investigation results are treated with the highest confidentiality
- Developed tailored action plans for parolees, addressing employment, housing, and court-mandated programs, enhancing successful reintegration rates
- Provided life skills guidance and behavioral counseling to parolees, fostering their transition into productive members of society
- Liaised with legal representatives at court hearings, advocating for parolees based on comprehensive assessments and supervision insights
- Managed case-related activities using criminal justice information systems, ensuring accurate risk assessments and intervention planning
- Developed data-driven rehabilitation plans, leveraging criminal justice information systems to conduct risk assessments and design targeted interventions
- Fostered partnerships with legal representatives, advocating for parolees during court hearings based on comprehensive case evaluations
Education
M.A. - Counseling Psychology
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD05.2021
B.A. - Criminal Justice
Marymount University
Arlington, VASkills
- Individual and Group Counseling
- Conflict Resolution
- Case Management
- Assessment
- Clinical Diagnosis Expertise
- Practices in family assessment
- Crisis Intervention
- Therapeutic Interventions
- Client-Centered Trauma Care
- Cultural Competency
- Patient Advocacy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mental Health Resource Advocacy
- Empathy Training
- Clinical Documentation
- Safety and risk assessments
- Solution-focused counseling
- Skilled in intake interviewing
- Treatment planning
- Motivational Interviewing
Certification
Board of Professional Counselors & Therapist, State of Maryland. License number LGP11830 expiration 8/31/2025
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Leader and advocate of mental health, specializing in the areas of counseling and client advocacy for over 15+ years of experience
- Articulate and persuasive communicator able to interact with a variety of individuals.
- Skilled at evaluating options and generating solutions.
- Excels in a fast-paced work environment where priorities and resources are constantly changing and/or evolving.
- Can prioritize and accurately complete complex assignments under tight time constraints.
- Self-starter and quick learner with excellent analytical and organizational skills.
- Sound ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions.
- Dependable, hardworking, friendly disposition
- Team player as well as sole contributor
Timeline
Mental Health Counselor, Advanced
Behavioral Health
06.2019 - Current
Parole and Probation Agent
Maryland Division of Parole and Probation
05.2010 - 09.2021
Board of Professional Counselors & Therapist, State of Maryland. License number LGP11830 expiration 8/31/2025
M.A. - Counseling Psychology
Bowie State University
B.A. - Criminal Justice
Marymount University
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