Dually-licensed maternal mental health provider with proven track record of helping clients improve mental, physical and behavioral well-being through evidence-based, therapeutic practice. Passionate about helping the perinatal population manage mental health and improve quality of life for infant/mother dyad. Skilled in selecting and utilizing appropriate treatment modalities and interventions to meet needs of individuals with substance use and/or perinatal mood disorders. Offers pregnancy, parenting and breastfeeding support as well as crisis intervention and short and long term therapy.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Perinatal Behavioral Health Counselor
CPG/Maternal Fetal Medicine, Community Medical Ctr
Missoula, MT
08.2020 - Current
Conduct comprehensive assessments to accurately diagnose maternal mental health conditions, informing appropriate treatment recommendations.
Provide psychotherapy, pregnancy, addiction and complex grief support.
Collaborate with families to provide eduction on maternal mental health conditions, strengthening support systems for clients' ongoing recovery efforts.
Develop and implement treatment plans that incorporate psychotherapy, medication management, evidence based practices and harm reduction strategies to address the multifaceted nature of maternal mental health conditions.
Maintain accurate documentation of client progress, facilitating communication among care team providers.
Implement effective crisis intervention plans, quickly deescalating high stress situations to ensure patient safety.
Support clients by representing needs and advocating for patient rights in healthcare, legal and community-based settings.
Consistently participate in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of maternal health and wellness.
Provide cultural sensitivity training for staff members, fostering an inclusive therapeutic environment that recognizes the importance of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Supervise interns and clinical trainees, offering guidance and feedback aimed at enhancing their skills as future practitioners within the field of mental health services.
Maternal Mental Health and Addiction Counselor
Western Montana Mental Health Center
08.2018 - 08.2020
Implemented grant funded project to develop a collaborative approach to improving screening and treatment to reduce perinatal drug use and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in Missoula, Montana.
Developed and instituted program and practice policy to reduce perinatal substance use by eliminating stigma and barriers to care and reduce occurrence of infants diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
Conducted thorough assessments to accurately diagnose individuals struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Implemented evidence-based interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing, to help clients overcome personal barriers to recovery.
Provided crisis intervention services when necessary, quickly responding to emergencies and connecting clients with appropriate resources.
Promoted self-care practices among clients, teaching them effective stress management techniques that contributed to lasting recovery success.
Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to determine effective combination of therapy and pharmacological treatments for patients in recovery.
Developed professional relationships with referring agencies to improve communication related to intakes and to increase business for facility.
Served as a liaison between clients and social service agencies, advocating for additional resources whenever necessary.
Coordinated referrals for addiction services based on individual client needs and preferences.
Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
Continuously pursued professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in perinatal addiction counseling and treatment methodologies.
Licensed Addiction Counselor
Western Montana Addiction Services
08.2015 - 05.2016
Developed individualized treatment plans to address specific needs and goals of clients in recovery.
Conducted intake assessments for new clients, gathering crucial information to inform the development of personalized treatment plans.
Educated clients on coping strategies and relapse prevention techniques, empowering them to maintain long-term sobriety.
Evaluated client progress regularly, adjusting treatment plans as needed to maximize success in recovery efforts.
Led individual and group counseling sessions to meet variety of therapeutic needs for recovering individuals.
Collaborated with physicians to determine effective combination of therapy and medical treatments for patients in recovery.
Maintained accurate case records, ensuring proper documentation of client progress and adherence to ethical standards.
Monitored client medication compliance under supervision from prescribing physicians or psychiatrists.
Implemented motivational interviewing techniques when working with resistant clients, encouraging positive change in behavior patterns.
Assisted clients with developing essential life skills for successful reintegration into society after treatment completion.
Facilitated family counseling sessions, strengthening relationships between clients and their loved ones.
Led psychoeducational workshops on topics relevant to addiction recovery, increasing client knowledge and understanding of the process.
Developed professional relationships with referring agencies to improve communication related to intakes and to increase business for facility.
Coordinated with other service providers like social workers or probation officers for holistic client care.
Participated in case review meetings with colleagues, sharing insights and feedback to improve overall effectiveness of treatment services.
Continually expanded professional knowledge through attending trainings, seminars, and conferences on addiction-related topics.
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Woek
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT
05.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT
05.2016
Associate of Arts - Chemical Addiction Studies
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT
05.2015
Skills
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Pregnancy Support
Chemical Dependency Evaluations
Biopsychosocial Assessments & Diagnosis
Evidence Based Practice
Relapse Prevention/Harm Reduction
Integrated Behavioral Health
Suicide Prevention
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
Electronic Medical Record Software
Affiliations
Montana Maternal Morbidity Review Committee
Montana Obstetrics and Maternal Support (MOMs) Leadership Committee
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Missoula Breastfeeding Coalition
Missoula Perinatal Substance Use Network
Missoula Maternal Mental Health Network
Certification
Interpersonal Violence Advocate, YWCA - 2013
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training - 2019, 2020, 2021
Perinatal Mental Health Certification - 2024
Timeline
Perinatal Behavioral Health Counselor
CPG/Maternal Fetal Medicine, Community Medical Ctr
08.2020 - Current
Maternal Mental Health and Addiction Counselor
Western Montana Mental Health Center
08.2018 - 08.2020
Licensed Addiction Counselor
Western Montana Addiction Services
08.2015 - 05.2016
Master of Social Work - Social Woek
The University of Montana
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The University of Montana
Associate of Arts - Chemical Addiction Studies
The University of Montana
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