Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Volunteer Experience
Timeline
Generic

Heather Gasser

Woodland,WA

Summary

I am an experienced Therapist licensed in Washington State and Oregon. Currently in private practice and offering Telehealth services. I have worked in a variety of setting including community based mental health, Hospital and Out Patient Clinics. As a committed Christian, my worldview is guided by a biblical perspective. I have skill in helping Christians to enhance and draw on their faith and values in therapy. I am also able to relate to and work with things unique to Christians such as "church hurt", spiritual abuse and religious doubt. My goal is to provide a non-judgmental, encouraging and collaborative environment for clients to heal and grow. I enjoy working together with clients to help them gain insight about themselves and learn skills to move forward and feel better. I have experience in helping clinicians and professionals experiencing stress and burn out at work. I am currently working with Monument, a platform for alcohol use disorder (AUD). I facilitate 1 or 2 community based anxiety and depression programs which incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and lifestyle elements to support progress and healing from anxiety and depression. I embrace CBT and incorporate aspects of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) as well as Brief Solution Focused treatments and Trauma Informed approaches. I am looking for an opportunity to work remotely with a supportive and positive organization that puts client care first and values its therapists.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Mental Health Therapist

Spring Health
01.2024 - Current
  • Document clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status.
  • Guide clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
  • Performe client assessments and developed treatment plans.
  • Tailor therapeutic approaches to meet the unique needs of diverse client populations, including individuals with substance use disorders and trauma histories.

Mental Health Therapist

Private Practice
01.2023 - Current
  • Guide clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
  • Tailor therapeutic approaches to meet the unique needs of diverse client populations, including individuals with substance use disorders and trauma histories.
  • Develop comprehensive treatment plans for clients to address specific mental health concerns and goals.
  • Reduce client symptoms of anxiety and depression with cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, mindfulness exercises, and psychodynamic approaches.
  • Document clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status.

Therapist

Monument
12.2021 - Current
  • Provide individual telehealth therapy to client on the Monument platform coming to treatment for their AUD
  • Maintain comprehensive documentation of all client interactions and progress notes in accordance with organization policies
  • Collaborate with clients to design treatment plans to meet goals and objectives for treatment
  • Establish positive relationships with clients built on trust, respect and safety
  • Implement trauma informed approaches when working with individuals who have experienced traumatic events understanding the close connection between AUD and trauma
  • Furthered therapeutic knowledge with continuing education, seminars and research
  • Integrate evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavior therapy, brief solution focused approaches and motivational interviewing into clinical work
  • Demonstrate cultural humility when working with diverse populations from various backgrounds.

Home School Teacher

Gasser Accademy
10.2016 - 12.2021
  • Developed and implemented a comprehensive curriculum for homeschooling my elementary school aged son, emphasizing the development of character and physical health as well as core skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, history and religion
  • Utilized creative strategies to keep my son interested and engaged in the learning process such as project based approaches, nature and kinesthetic learning
  • Organized and hosted a homeschool co-op with 8-10 families that met each week
  • Parent volunteers rotated to teach various subjects and to engage socially.

Clinical Supervisor

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington
05.2005 - 10.2016
  • Provided clinical supervision to mental health staff, utilizing evidence-based practices and techniques
  • Demonstrated strong leadership abilities while managing a diverse team of practitioners
  • Conducted weekly case reviews with direct reports to ensure quality of care and compliance with agency protocols
  • Monitored staff performance through observation, feedback sessions, and annual evaluations
  • Facilitated regular team meetings to discuss client cases, develop strategies, and track outcomes
  • Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to coordinate services and provide comprehensive care
  • Educated staff on the use of clinical tools such as the DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria, CBT models
  • Oversaw the recruitment, hiring, orientation, and training of new staff members in accordance with applicable laws and regulations
  • Demonstrated knowledge of cultural competency principles when working with diverse populations from various backgrounds.

Child/Adolescent and Family Therapist

Trillium Family Services
10.2000 - 05.2005
  • Developed and implemented individual, family, and group therapy sessions to address issues related to child development, family dynamics, and behavioral health
  • Provided crisis intervention services to de-escalate situations involving children in distress or exhibiting challenging behaviors
  • Collaborated closely with multi-disciplinary teams including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, teachers, school personnel, and other professionals to develop treatment plans for clients
  • Offered guidance on how parents can better understand their child's behavior and how best to respond in difficult situations
  • Conducted assessments of the client's mental health status to determine appropriate interventions for marital and family problems.

Education

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Social Work -

Smith College
Northampton, MA
08.2000

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Clinical Psychology -

Pacific Union College
Angwin, CA
06.1994

Skills

  • Alcohol Use Disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Brief Solution Focused
  • Burn out
  • Biblical Worldview
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Depression
  • Trauma

Certification

LICSW, Washington State

LCSW Oregon

Volunteer Experience

03/2022, Present, Associate Director Anxiety and Depression Recovery, Nedley Community Based Anxiety and Depression Recovery Program, Vancouver, WA, Facilitated two 8 week community based anxiety and depression recovery workshops. This included recruiting and organizing a team of volunteers and arranging for their training and orientation. Promoting and advertising the program to the community and facilitating the 8 week program.

Timeline

Mental Health Therapist

Spring Health
01.2024 - Current

Mental Health Therapist

Private Practice
01.2023 - Current

Therapist

Monument
12.2021 - Current

Home School Teacher

Gasser Accademy
10.2016 - 12.2021

Clinical Supervisor

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington
05.2005 - 10.2016

Child/Adolescent and Family Therapist

Trillium Family Services
10.2000 - 05.2005

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Social Work -

Smith College

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Clinical Psychology -

Pacific Union College

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Heather Gasser