Dorothy Berksteiner
Fayetteville,GA
Summary
Skilled Addiction Counselor with strong background helping Substance dependent clients overcome personal challenges and cope with triggering situations. Focused on facilitating exploration of issues, developing individualized plans and developing important skills. Licensed by Georgia.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Counselor
Clayton County DUI Court Program
09.2023 - Current
- Used cognitive behavior therapy to assist clients in recognizing and redirecting poor habits.
- Kept abreast of new and developing information in mental health field by attending professional conferences and
- Guided 20 clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Managed caseload up to 20 clients with substance use and co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders.
- Facilitated group counseling sessions to support and encourage client growth.
- Enhanced client well-being by implementing individualized treatment plans and providing emotional support.
- Managed caseloads effectively, ensuring timely documentation and communication with clients and team members.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each client''s needs.
- Developed strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and open communication for successful therapeutic outcomes.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions, promoting healthy coping strategies and interpersonal skills among participants.
- Maintained client confidentiality by adhering to ethical guidelines and professional standards in counseling practice.
- Provided crisis intervention services during emergency situations, assessing risk levels and connecting clients with appropriate resources.
- Conducted thorough assessments of client needs, identifying areas of strength and opportunities for growth in their recovery journey.
- Mentored junior counselors, sharing expertise in therapeutic interventions and best practices within the field.
- Implemented evidence-based counseling techniques to address a wide range of mental health concerns effectively.
- Assisted clients in setting realistic goals for personal development, fostering self-awareness and motivation for change.
- Navigated challenging conversations with empathy and respect, helping clients process difficult emotions safely.
- Educated families on available resources to support their loved one''s recovery process outside of formal counseling sessions.
- Created a safe environment that encouraged honest expression from all group members.
- Promoted self-care among staff through regular check-ins and stress management workshops.
- Advocated for client needs within the organization, securing necessary resources for optimal service delivery.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and best practices, continuously enhancing professional skills to better serve clients.
- Developed individualized counseling plans for clients to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
- Determined clients' risk of self-harm or other dangerous behaviors.
- Collaborated with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
- Provided education on mental health topics and resources to clients.
- Managed patients with substance dependence and co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders.
Counselor
Clayton County Drug Court Program
09.2019 - 09.2023
- Worked with psychiatrist to get patients necessary medications.
- Communicated closely with other counselors to devise therapy and activities based on client's progress or lack of progress in recovery
- Used cognitive behavior therapy to assist clients in recognizing and redirecting poor habits.
- Kept abreast of new and developing information in mental health field by attending professional conferences and workshops.
- Assessed clinical risk and danger to clients and determined appropriate level of response and intervention
- Provided individual counseling services for 6 clients per week.
- Enhanced client progress by utilizing evidence-based counseling techniques and individualized treatment plans.
- Improved client satisfaction through consistent communication, empathy, and understanding of their unique challenges.
- Developed and facilitated group therapy sessions for increased social support and skill-building opportunities.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for clients with complex needs.
- Assisted clients in setting realistic goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress towards achievement.
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify client needs and appropriate intervention strategies.
- Provided crisis intervention services to individuals experiencing acute distress or dangerous situations.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client interactions, assessments, and progress notes for effective case management.
- Implemented behavioral modification strategies to help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Participated in ongoing professional development trainings to remain current on best practices within the counseling field.
- Worked closely with families to support clients in their recovery process and strengthen relationships among family members.
- Established trusting therapeutic alliances with clients through empathetic listening, validation, and unconditional positive regard.
- Communicated regularly with other professionals involved in the client''s care for coordinated service delivery efforts.
- Maintained confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
- Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
- Offered guidance and advice to help cultivate self-esteem and community involvement.
- Engaged clients in conversation to determine feelings and apprehensions.
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions to promote positive behavior change.
Counselor
Clayton County Community Service Board.
09.2016 - 06.2019
- Directed Women's Outpatient and Residential Programs
- Met with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Pitched and built new programming strategies to provide services needed o ensure clients success.
- Tracked and reported program results to customers and stakeholders to facilitate change management activities.
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
- Identified program needs and designed processes to meet requirements.
- Enhanced client progress by utilizing evidence-based counseling techniques and individualized treatment plans.
- Improved client satisfaction through consistent communication, empathy, and understanding of their unique challenges.
- Managed patients with substance dependence and co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Educated clients on dangers of substance abuse and prevention techniques.
- Developed treatment plans to help clients build self-confidence and resilience.
- Assessed patient behavior, moods, and other responses to determine correct diagnosis and devise treatment plans.
- Determined clients' risk of self-harm or other dangerous behaviors.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Facilitated group counseling sessions to support and encourage client growth.
- Collaborated with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
- Provided education on mental health topics and resources to clients.
Program Manager
Recovery Place-Women's Residential Program
09.1984 - 09.2001
- Improved client outcomes by implementing evidence-based counseling techniques and interventions.
- Enhanced team morale and productivity by providing regular supervision, feedback, and support to counselors.
- Developed individualized treatment plans with measurable goals for each client, ensuring targeted intervention strategies.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of clients'' needs to inform appropriate interventions and resource allocation.
- Increased staff retention by promoting a positive work environment through open communication and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Coordinated with external agencies for referrals, case management, and collaboration on behalf of clients, optimizing service delivery.
- Established effective crisis intervention protocols for the team, enhancing safety measures during high-risk situations.
- Monitored counselor caseloads to ensure manageable workloads while maintaining optimal service quality for clients.
- Delivered culturally sensitive counseling services to diverse populations, fostering inclusivity within the organization.
- Reduced burnout risk among counselors by establishing self-care initiatives and promoting healthy work-life balance practices.
- Organized training workshops for staff on various counseling topics, expanding their knowledge base and skill sets.
- Built strong relationships with community partners to expand available resources for clients in need of additional support services or referrals.
- Engaged in ethical decision-making processes that prioritized client welfare while adhering to professional standards and guidelines.
- Promoted adherence to legal requirements relating to confidentiality, informed consent, and mandated reporting procedures among staff members.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to remain current on best practices and emerging trends within the counseling field.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback from counselors, clients, and other stakeholders to inform program development and enhancement initiatives.
- Completed staff performance evaluations, recommending improvements and recognizing success through reward systems and feedback.
- Completed periodic statistical reports based on comprehensive patient data, submitting to headquarters for further analysis.
Education
Master of Arts - Counseling
South University
Savannah, GA06.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Armstrong State University
Savannah, GA1983
Skills
- Substance Use/Mental Health counseling
- Dual diagnoses expert
- Learning mental disorders awareness
- Psychotropic medications knowledge
- Case management proficiency
- Intervention planning
- Biopsychosocial assessments
- Mental health support
- Needs assessment
- Georgia Professional Counselor Licensure
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Individual Counseling
- Life Skills Training
- Treatment Planning
- Stress Reduction Techniques
- Parenting Support
- Trauma-Informed Care
Certification
LPC
CMAC
Timeline
Lead Counselor
Clayton County DUI Court Program
09.2023 - Current
Counselor
Clayton County Drug Court Program
09.2019 - 09.2023
Counselor
Clayton County Community Service Board.
09.2016 - 06.2019
Program Manager
Recovery Place-Women's Residential Program
09.1984 - 09.2001
Master of Arts - Counseling
South University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Armstrong State University
LPC
CMAC
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