Cortney Smith
Grand Island,NY
Summary
Qualified professional adept at managing a wide range of diagnoses and clinical scenarios. Provides expert support to clients facing emotional challenges, mental health issues, and significant life transitions. Highly adaptable, utilizing evolving information to enhance and tailor treatment strategies.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Online Therapist
BetterHelp
04.2018 - Current
- Delivered virtual mental health counseling to diverse clients addressing anxiety, depression, and trauma.
- Utilized evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as CBT, DBT, and mindfulness tailored to client needs.
- Maintained HIPAA-compliant documentation and timely progress notes in accordance with professional ethics.
- Conducted video, phone, and chat-based sessions to enhance accessibility and engagement.
- Fostered strong therapeutic alliances, resulting in high client retention rates and positive outcomes.
Adult Behavioral Health Therapist
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
Niagara Falls, NY
05.2014 - Current
- Provide individual and family counseling to clients with a variety of mental health issues
- Complete assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and progress notes for all clients using Cerner and eClinicalWorks Software meeting agency and OMH time requirements and guidelines
- Perform lethality assessment (CSSRS) and create safety plans
- Assess substance use and need for chemical dependency treatment using AUDIT and DAST-10
- Use assessment such as PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to establish baseline of symptoms and track progress
- Complete mental health evaluations for court mandated clients to determine if treatment services are necessary for client
- Link clients with psychiatrist for medication management and provide progress reports to psychiatrist for care coordination
- Complete script requests
- Provide status reports to client’s legal and case collaterals
- Complete electronic referrals for clients who require additional services
- Link clients with case workers and community assistance for housing, public assistance, and transportation
- Complete outpatient treatment report forms for continued treatment for clients
- Provide records and complete paperwork for Department of Disability
- Complete Mental Health Reports for Department of Social Services
- Perform lethality assessment (CSSRS) and create safety plans
- Discuss case and client needs with collateral providers, client supports
- Complete Incident Reports and make reports to Justice Center for any reportable incidents/client deaths
Lead Therapist/Adult Behavioral Health Therapist
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
Niagara Falls, NY
05.2017 - 08.2018
- Assumed all supervisory responsibilities in absence of clinic supervisor.
- Supervised clinic staff, providing constructive feedback and resolving clinical inquiries.
- Managed walk-in clinic operations, assigning therapists for initial screening appointments.
- Addressed and reconciled client complaints and clinic issues.
- Tracked clinic data for DSRIP compliance, ensuring adherence to state Medicaid measures.
- Conducted special reviews for reportable incidents and client deaths.
- Facilitated staff meetings during supervisor's absence to maintain communication.
- Prepared biweekly meeting agendas and statistics for outpatient behavioral health clinic.
Adult Mental Health Counselor
Mid-Erie Counseling & Treatment Services
Cheektowaga, NY
02.2013 - 05.2014
- Provide individual and family counseling to clients with a variety of mental health issues
- Complete assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and progress notes for all clients using Anasazi Software meeting agency and OMH time requirements and guidelines
- Complete mental health evaluations for court mandated clients to determine if treatment services are necessary for client
- Perform lethality assessments and create safety plans
- Link clients with psychiatrist for medication management and provide progress reports to psychiatrist for care coordination
- Facilitate weekly anger management group for court mandated clients
- Facilitate orientation group for new court mandated clients and link them with counselor for initial assessment
- Provide status reports to client’s legal and case collaterals
- Link clients with substance abuse to chemical dependency counselor and tox clients
- Link clients with case workers and community assistance for housing, public assistance, and transportation
- Complete prior authorization for medication and outpatient treatment report forms for continued treatment for clients
- Provide records and complete paperwork for Department of Disability
- Implement Feedback Informed Treatment to monitor client progress and satisfaction with treatment services
Administrative Assistant
Kozlin Associates/ProTemp
East Amherst, NY
11.2007 - 02.2013
- Answer phones
- Schedule interviews
- Accounts receivable/Accounts payable
- Candidate marketing
- Payroll
- Set up of applicant/client data base
- Conduct phone screens as well as reactivation of past candidates/clients
Student Intern
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
Niagara Falls, NY
09.2011 - 05.2012
- Completed 600 clock hours
- Completed final screening process for new clients and all required paperwork
- Used the DSM-IV-TR to evaluate client symptoms and provide provisional diagnosis
- Created treatment plans with appropriate goals, objectives, and interventions
- Completed treatment plan reviews, mental status evaluations, lethality assessments, progress notes, and closed cases
- Evaluated and created safety plans for patients discharged from psychiatric emergency department and inpatient units
- Provided one-to-one counseling to clients and addressed a variety of mental health concerns, such as: anxiety, depression, impulse control, anger management, addictions, grief and loss
- Facilitated day treatment program groups and completed group notes
- Facilitated groups in men’s and women’s inpatient units
Hospital Advocate
Crisis Services
Buffalo, NY
02.2011 - 08.2011
- Completed over 300 clock hours and 40 hours of training
- Provided immediate crisis intervention in Erie County Emergency Departments to survivors of family/domestic violence, sexual assault/rape, and elder abuse
- Provided supportive counseling, informed patient of legal and medical rights, created safety plan, linked to shelter
- Completed agency paperwork and linked patient with 24-hour follow up case management services
Student Intern
Family Voices Network
Buffalo, NY
09.2010 - 12.2010
- Completed 100 clock hours
- Called families to schedule and confirm intake meetings
- Participated in intake meetings to determine if child qualified for services
Server
Denny’s
Amherst, NY
12.2006 - 08.2007
- Greeted and sat guests
- Operated cash register
- Took orders and delivered food
- Cleaned restaurant and bused tables
Park Attendant & Sport Camp Counselor
Grand Island Recreation Dept.
Grand Island, NY
06.2002 - 08.2007
- Directed crafts, activities, and games
- Supervised children
- Organized & supervised several town events (parade, road race, concerts, sporting events)
Education
Master of Science - Mental Health Counseling
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY01.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Daemen College
Amherst, NY01.2008
Skills
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Mindfulness techniques
- Mental health assessment
- Treatment planning
- Client progress tracking
- Crisis intervention
- Therapeutic communication
- Time management
Training
- Feedback Informed Treatment – Scott D. Miller
- The Myth of Personality Disorders: Understanding the Interfaces of Trauma, Substance Use, and Mental Health Disorders with DSM-5 Updates – Jay Swarthout
- Motivational Interviewing
Timeline
Online Therapist
BetterHelp
04.2018 - Current
Lead Therapist/Adult Behavioral Health Therapist
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
05.2017 - 08.2018
Adult Behavioral Health Therapist
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
05.2014 - Current
Adult Mental Health Counselor
Mid-Erie Counseling & Treatment Services
02.2013 - 05.2014
Student Intern
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
09.2011 - 05.2012
Hospital Advocate
Crisis Services
02.2011 - 08.2011
Student Intern
Family Voices Network
09.2010 - 12.2010
Administrative Assistant
Kozlin Associates/ProTemp
11.2007 - 02.2013
Server
Denny’s
12.2006 - 08.2007
Park Attendant & Sport Camp Counselor
Grand Island Recreation Dept.
06.2002 - 08.2007
Master of Science - Mental Health Counseling
Niagara University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Daemen College
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