Cheryl Gomes, MSW
Hamden,CT
Summary
Observant individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills builds meaningful relationships with clients and families. Experienced in working with clients from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Offers crisis intervention to help individuals navigate through traumatic experiences. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Certified Domestic Violence Counselor
Chrysalis Domestic Violence Services
02.2022 - 04.2023
- Coordinated assessment and clinical services to clients to address psychosocial, environmental, age-specific and cultural context.
- Managed group advocacy services for patients and community members to increase knowledge about domestic violence through use of supportive psycho-education in group-based modality.
- Collaborated with other professionals to plan and coordinate care for clients.
- Consulted and advised on methods for screening and intervening in domestic violence situations.
- Assisted clients in identifying community resources and connecting with appropriate services.
Mental Health Clinician
Greater Bridgeport Mental Health Center
01.2004 - 09.2020
- Consult with physicians, psychiatrists, therapists, and other mental health professionals to develop and implement clinical treatment programs
- Provide individual intervention and counseling to adults diagnosed with psychiatric disorders
- Implement crisis intervention techniques, specifically to those experiencing emotional trauma from issues of domestic violence
- Facilitate client focus groups on domestic violence, self-awareness and understanding cycles of abuse
- Develop and maintain relationships with community referral sources
- Assess and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals expressed in treatment and care plans.
Community Organizer, City of New Haven Youth
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Prepared and addressed the Board of Alderman to elicit support of youth employment for youth living at or below the federal poverty level
- Interviewed, hired and trained over 1,000 youth for summer and year around employment under the
- Mayor's Youth Initiative
- Supervised worksites and program operations to maintain compliance with requirements and goals of the program
- Reviewed and revised program goals, procedures and protocol
- Designed and implemented evaluation tools to be distributed to measure program efficacy
- Contributed to research and completion of grants for Youth @ Work funding.
Clinical Social Work Intern
Children and Family Center
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Provided individual case management and crisis intervention services to diverse population of children, and families referred form the judicial and school system
- Implemented evidence-based practice modalities
- Participated in a multi-disciplinary team of clinical social workers, psychiatrists and case managers to develop individualized treatment plans
- Developed diagnostic procedures to establish clients' needs
- Provided individual and group therapy to children and adolescents diagnosed with Axis I and II psychiatric disorders, including but not limited to; attention disturbance, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse
- Conducted chemical dependency workshops.
Program Coordinator
Board of Education
05.2004 - 08.2007
- Coordinated summer jobs for youth, ages 14-17
- Supervised staff of program coordinators and over 100 youth enrolled in the program
- Conducted assessments and provided feedback to youth
- Designed skill building and educational curriculum for youth development
- Completed reports and compliance summaries for grants and other forms of funding.
Program Coordinator
Families
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Implemented lesson plans and professional development workshops for working with youth experiencing emotional and behavioral disorders
- Facilitated literacy lesson plans for youth in local juvenile detention facility
- Provided verbal de-escalation, behavior modification and cognitive effectiveness techniques.
Hotline Counselor
Crisis Intervention Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands
01.1992 - 01.1996
- Assisted with problem solving in crisis situations Provided information & support to callers
- Made appropriate internal/external emergency and crisis intervention referrals to callers Maintained accurate and complete documentation of services and activities
- Counseled callers dealing with issues of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Advocate, Women's Coalition of St. Croix
01.1991 - 01.1996
- Attended court with victims experiencing domestic violence
- Facilitated and co-facilitated intervention groups w/ women and children Implemented trauma curriculum Provided counseling to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence
- Conducted client assessments at program entry and ongoing periodic evaluation
- Provided advocacy services and support to survivors of relationship violence, stalking, and sexual assault or abuse and their children
- Educated clients about dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault and options/resources available
- Provided counseling to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Education
Certified Domestic Counselor State of Connecticut -
Bachelors of Science - Human Services
Springfield College
Springfield, MAMasters of Social Work - Community Organization/ Mental Health
University of Connecticut
Hartford, CT05.2009
Skills
- Living Skills Assistance
- Community Mental Health Programs
- Reading Comprehension
- Reflective Listening
- Group Facilitation
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy
- Treatment Planning
- Trauma Informed Care Framework
- Client Advocacy
- Shelter Arrangements
Certification
Individual / Group Counseling (10+ years)
Case Management
Group Therapy (10+ years)
Behavioral Therapy
Social Work (6 years)
Crisis intervention
Mental health counseling (10+ years)
Child protective services
Child & family counseling
Motivational interviewing (10+ years)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Crisis Management (10+ years)
Behavioral Health
Experience with children
Direct support
Christian counseling
Additional Information
- Certifications and Licenses Driver's License 217457051 , September 2022 to September 2024 DL
- Certified School Social Worker #071
- Certified Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Consultant
Affiliations
- National Association of Social Workers
- Commissioner for Board of Commissions CT
- Advocate/ Member National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Lifetime member of NAACP
- Certified Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Consultant
- National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Visionary and Founder My Sistah's Circle Inc.
- Ordained Chaplain Embassy of United Chaplains Inc
Govenor appointed Commissioner Board of Commissions of Connecticut 2023
Appointed to the Connecticut Commission on community Service. As a member selected among experts in delivery of human, educational, environmental, or public safety services to communities and persons, for term ending July 15, 2026.
Timeline
Certified Domestic Violence Counselor
Chrysalis Domestic Violence Services
02.2022 - 04.2023
Community Organizer, City of New Haven Youth
01.2008 - 01.2009
Clinical Social Work Intern
Children and Family Center
01.2007 - 01.2008
Program Coordinator
Board of Education
05.2004 - 08.2007
Mental Health Clinician
Greater Bridgeport Mental Health Center
01.2004 - 09.2020
Program Coordinator
Families
01.2002 - 01.2005
Hotline Counselor
Crisis Intervention Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands
01.1992 - 01.1996
Domestic Violence Advocate, Women's Coalition of St. Croix
01.1991 - 01.1996
Certified Domestic Counselor State of Connecticut -
Bachelors of Science - Human Services
Springfield College
Masters of Social Work - Community Organization/ Mental Health
University of Connecticut
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