Hi, I’m
Constance M. Goodnight
Mental Health Counselor
Charleston,South Carolina
Summary
Compassionate and empathetic school and mental health professional with over two decades of experience in program oversight and student advocacy. Skilled in group therapy facilitation and fostering team collaboration, leading to measurable improvements in overall student well-being. Committed to using evidence-based practices to achieve positive results in challenging environments.
Overview
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Allegro Charter School of Music
Student Support/MTSS Lead Facilitator
2024.08 - Current (1 education.year_Label & 11 education.months_Label)
Job overview
- Lead facilitator with a team of administrators, school nurse, counselors, deans, and a school psychologist.
- Conduct regular meetings with team members to discuss issues related to student support services.
- Analyze and update data for our multi-tiered interventions, including the changes in our MTSS model and manual.
- Establish partnerships with external organizations to expand student support services.
- Develop innovative ways of increasing engagement among students, utilizing the Student Support Services department.
- Involve parents in student learning to increase family interaction and student support.
- Create and maintain up-to-date documentation of support procedures of multi-tiered interventions to ensure integrity of practices.
Allegro Charter School of MusicNorth Charleston, SC
Mental Health Counselor, Internal
2022.08 - Current (3 education.years_Label & 11 education.months_Label)
Job overview
- Lead facilitator and collaborator for Student Support, MTSS, Crisis, and Individual Problem-Solving teams.
- Develop and implement a school-based mental health program for middle and high school students.
- Led students in individual, family, and group trauma-focused therapy sessions.
- Participate in weekly leadership team meetings to discuss student staffing cases, and review individualized mental health and educational plans.
- Educate staff members on the importance of providing culturally competent services to diverse populations.
- Facilitate psychoeducation groups on topics such as stress management, coping skills, and relapse prevention.
- Act as a student and family advocate, coordinating required services, and resolving emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Developed and implemented treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
- Provide case management services, including linking students to necessary social services or community supports.
- Coordinate with external agencies regarding collaborative programming initiatives aimed at addressing mental illness.
Berkeley County Department of Mental HealthMoncks Corner, SC
School-Based Mental Health Counselor
2021.10 - 2022.07 (9 education.months_Label)
Job overview
- Served as the lead clinician in two different school settings.
- Maintained detailed records of client progress in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Provided individual and group mental health counseling in alignment with evidence-based practice and clinical models.
- Collaborated with school personnel and leadership to facilitate conferences and meetings to discuss emotional, behavioral, and educational issues, to best support students in their school setting.
- Developed and implemented treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
- Collected information about students through interviews, observations, or tests.
- Acted as a student advocate, coordinating required services, and resolving emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Recognized by school personnel for providing exceptional student advocacy and collaboration skills.
MUSC Health Institute of Psychiatry Charleston, SC
Inpatient Therapeutic Assistant
2019.10 - 2021.10 (2 education.years_Label)
Job overview
- QBS Certified Safety Care Trainer for child and adolescent staff members.
- Unit lead for the Shared Governance Council, and the Patient Family Advisory Council.
- Facilitated therapeutic groups focused on individualized goals, crisis intervention, and crisis stabilization.
- Collaborated and advocated for the adolescent population to bring cohesion among patients, families, and council members to ensure collaboration, and discussed patient care, healthcare policies, and procedures specific to their needs.
- Provided individual and group counseling focused on trauma-focused modalities in a therapeutic milieu.
- Conducted assessments of clients' physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
Goodnight Counseling & Advocacy Davidson, NC
Mental Health Consultant
2013.09 - 2019.10 (6 education.years_Label & 1 education.month_Label)
Job overview
- Gathered and researched information about community mental health needs or resources used in conjunction with therapy.
- Educated family members about mental health issues and treatments.
- Referred clients to external resources for additional support.
- Acted as client advocate, coordinating required services and resolving emergency problems in crisis situations.
Turning Point Homes Mooresville, NC
Team Administrator, QMHP
2012.09 - 2013.08 (11 education.months_Label)
Job overview
- Provided direct administrative supervision to a team of mental health professionals, structuring and organizing the team on an ongoing basis to meet agency and state standards.
- Provided intensive therapeutic interventions, strategies, and techniques to serve emotionally and behaviorally at-risk youth and their families in the least restrictive environment.
- Assisted in the coordination and oversight of the initial and ongoing assessment activities, per state requirements and procedures.
- Provided psychoeducational, professional development, and consultations to the team and external community resources.
Provided crisis intervention and stabilization, and completed assessments for safety plans when needed. - Assisted in the development and implementation of person-centered planning and follow-up.
Children's Hope AllianceStatesville, NC
Program Manager
2009.08 - 2012.09 (3 education.years_Label & 1 education.month_Label)
Job overview
- Provided supervision of the day treatment program and staff, including the day-to-day function of the program, training and supervision of staff, submittal and reauthorization of billable services, budgeting, and marketing.
- Guided the strategic planning and goal-setting process for programs, aligning initiatives with organizational vision and priorities.
- Fostered a collaborative program environment, promoting teamwork and cross-functional cooperation.
- Completed patient assessments and admissions, including comprehensive evaluations, safety plans, discharge planning, and community referrals.
- Provided individual and family groups focused on behavior modification, family dynamics, crisis intervention and stabilization, and trauma-informed therapy.
Iredell County Department of Social Services Statesville, NC
Social Worker - Investigative and Assessment
2008.02 - 2009.03 (1 education.year_Label & 1 education.month_Label)
Job overview
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care for clients.
- Conducted home visits to assess client needs, evaluate progress, and provide resources to families.
- Assisted clients in developing positive coping skills needed for successful independent living.
- Advocated on behalf of vulnerable children and youth in court proceedings or other legal settings.
- Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
Horizon Behavioral Health Lynchburg, VA
Child and Family Therapist
2006.05 - 2008.02 (1 education.year_Label & 9 education.months_Label)
Job overview
- Mediated conflicts within families to clarify and resolve underlying issues.
- Conducted intake and needs assessments to set therapeutic goals and establish professional relationships with clients.
- Collaborated with other mental health professionals to create comprehensive treatment plans.
- Maintained accurate and thoroughly documented notes and client records in accordance with licensing standards.
- The Community Board Member (CFT) coordinates with local community agencies to ensure that the best practices of treatment and the appropriate level of continuum of care are accountable for the identified client and family.
- Directed supervision and facilitation of Child and Family Team meetings, weekly clinical team meetings, and monthly company-wide meetings.
Education
Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA
Master of Arts from Human Services: Marriage And Family Counseling
2007-11
Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA
Bachelor of Science from Psychology: Human Services Counseling
2003-05
Skills
- SHAPE school team administrator
- Trauma-focused interventions
- Team building and coaching
- Student and family advocacy
- Effective communication
- Visionary leadership
- Community Resource Liaison
- Program development and evaluation
- Team and administration collaboration
- Child Mental Health
- Flexible and adaptable
- Individual and group counseling skills
Accomplishments
- Student Support and MTSS Facilitator, Allegro Charter
- American Counseling Association, Child and Adolescent Counseling Member
- NAMI, Charleston Charter Member
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Student Support/MTSS Lead Facilitator
Allegro Charter School of Music
2024.08 - Current (1 education.year_Label & 11 education.months_Label)
Mental Health Counselor, Internal
Allegro Charter School of Music
2022.08 - Current (3 education.years_Label & 11 education.months_Label)
School-Based Mental Health Counselor
Berkeley County Department of Mental Health
2021.10 - 2022.07 (9 education.months_Label)
Inpatient Therapeutic Assistant
MUSC Health Institute of Psychiatry
2019.10 - 2021.10 (2 education.years_Label)
Mental Health Consultant
Goodnight Counseling & Advocacy
2013.09 - 2019.10 (6 education.years_Label & 1 education.month_Label)
Team Administrator, QMHP
Turning Point Homes
2012.09 - 2013.08 (11 education.months_Label)
Program Manager
Children's Hope Alliance
2009.08 - 2012.09 (3 education.years_Label & 1 education.month_Label)
Social Worker - Investigative and Assessment
Iredell County Department of Social Services
2008.02 - 2009.03 (1 education.year_Label & 1 education.month_Label)
Child and Family Therapist
Horizon Behavioral Health
2006.05 - 2008.02 (1 education.year_Label & 9 education.months_Label)
Liberty University
Master of Arts from Human Services: Marriage And Family Counseling
Liberty University
Bachelor of Science from Psychology: Human Services Counseling