Frederick Caruso
Parlin,NJ
Summary
Dedicated mental health professional bringing background working with individuals suffering from substance abuse and behavioral disorders. Focused on client advocacy, prevention and education to reduce impacts and recurrence of serious issues. Collaborative with multidisciplinary teams to create solid support networks for client needs.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Readjustment Counselor
Department of Veterans Affairs
05.2022 - Current
- Intake screening and assessment: Complete all readjustment counseling intake procedures, including an assessment for suicide risk, screening for PTSD, crisis intervention, wellness scale, military history, and military related psychosocial stressors
- Evaluate family readjustment stressors and document identified behaviors or symptoms
- Readjustment counseling goal setting and service planning: Develop and periodically update an individualized readjustment counseling service plan that reflects a course of therapeutic and psychosocial interventions, including identification of achievable goals and measurable outcomes
- Direct readjustment counseling service provision: Incorporate complex multiple causation in differential psychosocial assessment and direct service delivery to eligible Veterans, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnostic inferences within the clinical scope of practice
- Risk assessment and crisis intervention: Conduct timely assessment of Veterans in crisis to identify immediate needs, evaluate risk, and initiate safety planning as appropriate
- Utilize evidenced base treatment modalities tailored to veteran’s presenting mental health concern to conduct individual counseling focused on treatment plan goals and desired outcome of treatment
- Care coordination: Links the Veteran with other community services, resources, and opportunities to maximize the Veteran's independence, health, and well-being
- Coordinating readjustment counseling and outreach: Maintain active coordination with Vet Center outreach workers to ensure seamless referral to Vet Center services for those individuals engaged in the community at outreach events that may require follow-up readjustment counseling
- Team cohesion and coordination: Actively participate in staff meetings designed to promote team building and staff development
- Documentation/administrative responsibilities/consultation: Document all clinical interactions with eligible individuals and episodes of care coordination on their behalf as required by policy.
Clinical Therapist
Footprints to Recovery
03.2021 - 04.2022
- Provide substance abuse counseling services which include group counseling, individual counseling, family counseling, and crisis intervention and completes all documentation accordingly
- Establish and maintain knowledge regarding documentation with the electronic medical records system and completes documentation in a timely manner
- Establish treatment plans with specific, timely, and measurable goals and objectives and determine appropriate length of stay based on clinical needs of client
- Maintain collaborative relationship with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to offer a range of counseling services to active military service men and women for mental health and substance abuse counseling
- Facilitate military and first responder’s trauma focused therapy groups
- Collaborate with psychiatric nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, and medical assistant to ensure comprehensive care is provided to clients
- Delivered case management and clinically appropriate referrals for continuing care needs of client
- Provide case consultation to master’s level interns in individual and in group settings
- Obtain and maintain all appropriate credentials regarding substance abuse counseling and mental health licensure.
Clinical Therapist
Recovery Centers of America
06.2020 - 03.2021
- Evaluate clients for mental health and substance abuse treatment in a residential setting
- Collaborate with clients to develop treatment plan goals and objectives to promote recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders
- Review and recommend treatment options with clients and their families
- Help clients develop skills and behaviors necessary to recover from their addiction or modify their behavior
- Work with clients to identify triggers or situations that may interfere with their recovery
- Lead therapist for men’s trauma focused therapy program
- Teach families about addiction and co-occurring disorders to assist them in developing proper coping skills to support themselves as well as the client’s recovery
- Refer clients to other resources and services such as outpatient programs, support and self-help groups, vocational rehabilitation, and available benefits.
Clinical Therapist
The Counseling Center
06.2018 - 06.2020
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to determine client’s counseling needs for treatment of co-occurring disorders and substance abuse
- Collaborate with client to develop a treatment plan that is client specific and recovery oriented that includes goals and measurable objectives
- Facilitate individual, group, couples, and family counseling sessions utilizing evidence- based treatment modalities
- Provide psychoeducation to clients regarding the counseling process, information relating to drugs of choice with short term and long term affects, as well as identifying core issues related to mental health, substance abuse or both
- Document all counseling and case management services into the clinical record
- Participate as a member of a multidisciplinary team for case management and consultation for all clients.
Outpatient Clinician
Trenton Treatment Center
08.2017 - 02.2018
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to determine client’s counseling needs and appropriate level of care for treatment for co-occurring disorders and substance abuse
- Maintain a caseload of clients providing case management, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, conflict resolution, case presentations, and aftercare planning
- Obtain previous history and records that are relevant to the current treatment episode
- Collaborate with clients to develop a treatment plan with specific and measurable goals and interventions that are evidence based and client centered
- Communicate and maintain relationships with outside agencies that support the counseling process for progress, setbacks, or completion of treatment program
- Provided trauma focused therapy to clients and their families
- Document all counseling and case management services into the clinical record.
Outpatient Clinician
New Hope Outpatient Services
06.2016 - 04.2017
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial evaluations to determine client’s counseling needs with knowledge of DSM-V and ASAM criteria for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders
- Deliver diversified counseling services in individual, group, and family settings
- Communicate with and maintain relationships with referral sources and other agencies
- Facilitate the transition/discharge process and aftercare planning to support growth and recovery
- Advocate for clients and provide information for appropriate community resources and services to meet client specific needs.
Residential Counselor
SERV Behavioral Health System
01.2016 - 06.2016
- Provide on-site direct behavioral health care services to the agency’s adult and geriatric clients diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders in a group home setting
- Responsible for providing daily structure and coverage to the residence that includes supervision
- Assist clients with daily living tasks, client care needs, case management, medication monitoring, transportation services, supportive counseling, and crisis management
- Communicate all significant changes in client’s behavior level and noticeable incidents and documented pertinent information in client charts
- Act as a liaison and client advocate for community resources
- Ensure a safe and therapeutic environment adhering to all safety standards, corporate policies, and state regulations.
Education
M.S. Mental Health Counseling -
Monmouth University
12.2016
MBA - Management -
Saint Peter’s University
05.2000
B.A. Psychology -
Montclair State University
05.1988
Skills
- Suicide Prevention
- Life Skills Training
- Clinical Supervision
- Grief counseling
- Referral Coordination
- Substance Abuse Counseling
Apt
Apt. 3-G
Advocacy
- Lunch Break Food Pantry – Red Bank, NJ
- Project Zero Opioid Awareness – Manalapan, NJ
- Monmouth University Peer Consultation Group
Personal Information
Title: Licensed Professional Counselor - New Jersey (37PC00795500), LCADC - New Jersey (37LC00328000), Licensed Professional Counselor – South Carolina (8493), SC Association of Alcoholism and Drug Counselors (IP2093), Nationally Board-Certified Counselor (829820), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS-4882), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Clinical Grief Counselor, International Certified Gambling Counselor, Military Family Life Counselor, EMDR therapist – EMDR Institute
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Readjustment Counselor
Department of Veterans Affairs
05.2022 - Current
Clinical Therapist
Footprints to Recovery
03.2021 - 04.2022
Clinical Therapist
Recovery Centers of America
06.2020 - 03.2021
Clinical Therapist
The Counseling Center
06.2018 - 06.2020
Outpatient Clinician
Trenton Treatment Center
08.2017 - 02.2018
Outpatient Clinician
New Hope Outpatient Services
06.2016 - 04.2017
Residential Counselor
SERV Behavioral Health System
01.2016 - 06.2016
M.S. Mental Health Counseling -
Monmouth University
MBA - Management -
Saint Peter’s University
B.A. Psychology -
Montclair State University
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