Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Erikah Smalls

Escondido,CA

Summary

Experienced Social Worker adept at managing justice involved youth and adults with co-occurring conditions. Proficient in crisis intervention, patient counseling, and implementing diverse therapy modalities to improve client outcomes. Skilled in risk assessment, safety planning, and developing treatment plans for long-term recovery.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Forensic Clinician

Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Centers (CONREP)
San Diego
11.2023 - Current
  • Provide full services to assigned caseload, including individual, group, couples, family psychotherapy, case management, and re-hospitalizations, to ensure all contracted monthly service requirements are met.
  • Conduct a thorough review of clients' records and maintain a working understanding of each client's risk factors and course of treatment to mitigate safety risks.
  • Generate quarterly and annual court reports in line with the program's guidelines and expectations per client.
  • Maintain active and effective liaison duties with relevant community agencies and initiate collateral contact with family, friends, board and care operators, referring agencies, and legal professionals as needed for the client's continuity of care.
  • Exercises good judgment by objectively and unemotionally analyzing facts, weighing evidence, utilizing clinical skills, and reaching sound conclusions under stressful circumstances.

Mobile Crisis Clinician

Telecare Corporation
San Diego, CA
06.2023 - Current
  • Provided immediate support during high-stress events for people dealing with serious mental health, substance abuse, and behavioral problems.
  • Utilize crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to support individuals in mental health crises.
  • Work alongside First Responders in transporting individuals to the right level of care, including Crisis Stabilization Units, Medical Hospitals, Sobering Centers, and Crisis Houses.
  • Evaluate and assess individuals in crisis situations by providing on-site support and documenting concise findings.
  • Make appropriate referrals for placement and conduct onsite case management based on individuals' needs.

Mental Health Clinician

Second Chance-Collaborative Courts
San Diego, CA
05.2021 - 09.2023
  • Conducted in-custody screenings for applicants to determine suitability for Reentry Court and Drug Court treatment programs.
  • Composed comprehensive biopsychosocial history reports and presented them to the interdisciplinary team.
  • Facilitated evidence-based group counseling, including Seeking Safety, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Relapse Prevention.
  • Conducted individual and family therapy to enhance clients' quality of life by helping them attain skills for long-term sobriety and to interrupt cycles of recidivism.

Triage Clinician

Telecare Corporation
San Diego, CA
06.2022 - 06.2023
  • Triaged calls from the Access and Crisis Line and Law Enforcement agencies throughout San Diego County, and dispatched crisis calls to appropriate mobile crisis team.
  • Provided case management services by connecting clients to mental health and wrap-around services for continuity of care and long-term stabilization.

Rehabilitation Counselor I & II

Second Chance, YORP
San Diego, CA
02.2018 - 05.2021
  • Conducted intake assessments to evaluate the needs of high-risk youth, ages 15-19 years old, upon entering the Youthful Offender Unit (YOU) program in Juvenile Hall Detention Facilities.
  • Facilitated individual and evidence-based group sessions focused on subjects including Criminal Thinking, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relapse Prevention, Healthy Relationships, and Seeking Safety.
  • Facilitated seamless transition from in-custody sentence to community support systems, tailoring resources according to individual treatment requirements.
  • Empowered clients by coaching them towards obtaining job opportunities while also assisting with building essential life skills.

Youth Development Specialist

North County Lifeline
Vista, CA
08.2016 - 07.2017
  • Conducted biopsychosocial and risk assessments for self-referred clients, mandated youth, and families attending individual and parenting classes.
  • Utilized theoretical frameworks to develop treatment plans and interventions for children, adolescents, and families.
  • Delivered client-centered psychoeducational groups in both Spanish and English languages with an aim to facilitate the therapeutic process.

Education

Master of Arts - Social Work

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
05.2017

Bachelor of Arts - Human Development

California State University of San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
05.2014

Skills

  • Proficient in Spanish
  • Crisis Management
  • Diagnosis Formulation
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Dual diagnosis expertise
  • Clinical assessment
  • Clinical Documentation
  • Treatment Planning
  • Patient Counseling
  • Case Management
  • Risk Assessment & Safety Planning
  • ACT, DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, Moral Reconation Therapy, and Criminal Thinking Brief Interventions

Timeline

Forensic Clinician

Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Centers (CONREP)
11.2023 - Current

Mobile Crisis Clinician

Telecare Corporation
06.2023 - Current

Triage Clinician

Telecare Corporation
06.2022 - 06.2023

Mental Health Clinician

Second Chance-Collaborative Courts
05.2021 - 09.2023

Rehabilitation Counselor I & II

Second Chance, YORP
02.2018 - 05.2021

Youth Development Specialist

North County Lifeline
08.2016 - 07.2017

Master of Arts - Social Work

University of Southern California

Bachelor of Arts - Human Development

California State University of San Marcos

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Erikah Smalls