Jennifer Shelton
Community Corrections
Goochland,VA
17
years of professional experience
Licensed Professional Counselor with 14 years of experience providing evidenced based treatment (Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy), to a diverse populations. Skilled in psychopathology, diagnostic nomenclature, psychological theory, risk assessment/crisis intervention and assisting individuals in long-term mental health stability.
Mental health professional with comprehensive background in therapeutic care and client support. Proven ability to implement effective treatment plans and facilitate positive outcomes. Known for collaborative teamwork and adaptability to meet evolving client needs. Expertise in therapeutic techniques and client assessment, valued for empathy and reliability.
Work History
Mental Health Clinician I, Department of Community Corrections
1 Year 9 Months- Lead therapist for a P&P District #26 Culpeper and District #9 Charlottesville probationers
- Provide mental health and substance use treatment referral services to over 1,800 probationers
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to evaluate clients' mental health needs and develop tailored treatment plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care and ensure holistic support for clients.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions to enhance client coping strategies and resilience.
- Monitored client progress, adapting treatment approaches based on feedback and outcomes.
- Provided crisis intervention services, ensuring immediate support for clients in distressing situations.
- Provided crisis intervention services, de-escalating high-risk situations and connecting clients with appropriate resources.
- Conducted thorough assessments to diagnose mental health disorders and develop appropriate treatment plans.
- Trained new clinicians in agency policies and procedures, ensuring consistent service delivery across the organization.
- Contributed to ongoing professional development programs for staff members, sharing knowledge of current best practices in the field of mental health counseling.
- Create, organize and present workshops and in-services to staff
- Responded to psychiatric emergencies; including individuals with suicidal risk, self-directed violence, risk of harm to others and/or experiencing psychosis
- Attended crisis intervention and de-escalating procedures training
- Advocated for clients'' needs within the broader mental health system, ensuring access to necessary services and resources.
- Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy.
Licensed Professional Counselor
3 Months- Practice focus: individual and couples treatment around communication, mental illness and trauma with the use of evidenced based therapy.
- Conduct biopsychosocial assessment.
- Formulate diagnoses based on assessment and presentation.
- Facilitated individual and group therapy sessions to support client mental health goals.
- Maintained accurate and timely documentation, adhering to ethical standards and guidelines for professional practice.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Mental Health Clinician I, Virginia Department of Corrections
7 Months- Lead therapist for an Accredited Inpatient Hospital Unit (IPU) and Sheltered Residential Mental Health Unit (SRMHU) providing stabilization and recovery for 8+ individuals with serious mental illness in an acute care forensic setting
- Developed individualized treatment plans with measurable outcomes, reviewed and updated plans every 30, 60 & 90 days for those housed in IPU and SRMHU
- Conducted group and individual therapy, diagnostic assessments, risk assessment and forensic evaluations
- Coordinated, prepared and testified in involuntary and civil commitment hearings
- Evaluated patients and made referrals for Psychiatric care for medication management
- Responded to psychiatric emergencies; including individuals with suicidal risk, self-directed violence, risk of harm to others and/or experiencing psychosis
- Attended crisis intervention and de-escalating procedures training
- Consulted/collaborated with clinical peers, psychiatry, case management, correctional center staff, facility administrators, and outside agencies related to assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, and community re-entry
Clinical Supervisor, Henrico County Jail West
4 Months- Lead and supervise a staff of four clinicians and aid the Mental Health Program Director
- Supervise the full continuum of mental health services and builds effective mental health teams and services
- Maintain compliance with ACA standards and other relevant mandates to assure continued accreditation and compliance status
- Develop and monitor electronic health record processes and reports to quantify mental health needs and trends, to assure timely and appropriate service delivery, and comply with all requirements
- Work with the sheriff's command staff to assure the ability to meet the mental health needs of the jail population
- Provide consultation/training to sheriff's office staff regarding best practices in managing individuals with behavioral health needs
- Serve as a leadership team member providing mental health expertise
- Collaborate with stakeholders in the community mental health system and County justice agencies regarding the Court Ordered Evaluation and Court Ordered Treatment processes to assure access to the appropriate level of care and treatment
- Collaborate with Regional Behavioral Health Authority and jail authority to develop best practices for justice involved individuals with mental illness
- Oversee the development and modification of policies, procedures, and clinical practice guidelines
Psychology Associate II, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
4 Months- Completed clinical progress reports to assist in forensic evaluations
- Completed mental health intake screenings for new residents
- Facilitated group therapies (Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Process Groups)
- Provided family therapy
- Administered assessments, cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention, behavior modification and life enhancement
- Responded to psychiatric emergencies; including individuals with suicide risk, self-directed violence, risk of harm to others and psychosis
- Consulted/collaborated with clinical peers, psychiatry, case management, facility staff, facility administrators and outside agencies related to assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention and community re-entry
Psychology Associate II, Virginia Department of Corrections
4 Months- Completed mental health transfer screenings for new inmates
- Facilitated group therapies (Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, Mindfulness Skills, Thinking for a Change, Trauma Resolution Program I & II, and Process Groups)
- Responded to psychiatric emergencies; including individuals with suicide risk, self-directed violence, risk of harm to others and psychosis
- Developed and presented educational mental health trainings for medical, DOC, and administrative staff
- Consulted/collaborated with clinical peers, psychiatry, case management, correctional center staff, facility administrators and outside agencies related to assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention and community re-entry
- Acted as a liaison to the Unit Head/designee and performed administrative duties, such as, directing, overseeing and monitoring of mental services, policies and programs
Psychology Associate I, Virginia Department of Corrections
4 Years 2 Months- Served a population of 400+ providing mental health services including screening, psychological assessment and evaluation, individual therapy, psychoeducational services, treatment planning, and re-entry/release planning
- Facilitated group therapies (Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, Mindfulness Skills, Thinking for a Change, Trauma Resolution Program I & II, and Process Groups)
- Developed training curriculum that enhances knowledge and the skills necessary to effectively facilitate Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Responded to psychiatric emergencies; including individuals with suicide risk, self-directed violence, risk of harm to others and psychosis
- Developed and adapted alternative treatment modalities (Mindfulness, Self-Compassion and Self-Discovery Journals) for the population to utilize during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Developed and presented educational mental health trainings for medical, DOC, and administrative staff
- Consulted/collaborated with clinical peers, psychiatry, case management, correctional center staff, facility administrators, and outside agencies related to assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, and community re-entry
- Designated as the Clinical Point of Contact for the Mental Health Department for approximately four months carrying out administrative, supervisory and clinical duties
Mental Health Therapist, Armor Correctional Health Services
1 Year- Lead therapist for an Accredited Inpatient Hospital Unit (IPU) and Sheltered Residential Mental Health Unit (SRMHU) providing stabilization and recovery for 15+ individuals with serious mental illness in an acute care forensic setting
- Developed individualized treatment plans with measurable outcomes, reviewed and updated plans every 90 days for those housed in IPU and SRMHU
- Conducted group and individual therapy, diagnostic assessments, risk assessment and forensic evaluations
- Coordinated, prepared and testified in involuntary and civil commitment hearings
- Evaluated patients and made referrals for Psychiatric care for medication management
- Responded to psychiatric emergencies; including individuals with suicidal risk, self-directed violence, risk of harm to others and/or experiencing psychosis
- Attended crisis intervention and de-escalating procedures training
- Educated and trained 1000+ staff how to effectively communicate and respond to those with severe mental illness, co-occurring diagnoses and intellectual disabilities
- Consulted/collaborated with clinical peers, psychiatry, case management, correctional center staff, facility administrators, and outside agencies related to assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, and community re-entry
Psychology Associate I, Virginia Department of Corrections
2 Years 2 Months- Screened, tracked and monitor offenders with mental health needs in general population and restrictive housing
- Utilized various modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Schema Therapy
- Determined and coordinated disposition of patients for appropriate level of care
- Performed mental health evaluations/assessments
- Responded to psychiatric emergencies; including individuals with suicidal risk, self-directed violence and risk of harm to others
- Conducted crisis interventions and evaluate these individuals, determine level of risk, provide crisis intervention therapy, facilitate disposition of patient to other treatment staff; including recommendation for involuntary inpatient hospitalization to ensure life safety of patient and others if the need arises
- Conducted evidence based practices of individual and group therapies (Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Trauma Resolution Program, Cognitive Processing Therapy and Process Groups)
- Consulted/collaborated with clinical peers, psychiatry, case management, correctional center staff, facility administrators, and outside agencies related to assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, and community re-entry
- Facilitated the mental health portion of in-service training to medical, DOC, and administrative staff
Mental Health Therapist, Armor Correctional Health Services
4 Years 5 Months- Lead therapist for the Accredited Inpatient Hospital Unit and Sheltered Residential Mental Health Unit providing stabilization and recovery for 15+ individuals with serious mental illness in a forensic setting
- Served on the interdisciplinary team for those house in IPU and SRMHU
- Developed treatment plans and behavioral interventions housed in IPU and SRMHU
- Conducted group and individual therapy, diagnostic assessments, risk assessment and forensic evaluations
- Coordinated, prepared paperwork and testified in involuntary and civil commitment hearings
- Responded to psychiatric emergencies; including individuals with suicidal risk, self-directed violence, risk of harm to others and or psychosis
- Educated and trained staff how to effectively communicate and respond to those with severe mental illness or having a mental health emergency
- Conducted evidenced-based practices of individual and group therapies (Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, Trauma Resolution Program I &II, Cognitive Motivational Interviewing, Processing Therapy) and trauma specific intervention programs to a population of 1,200+ inmates
- Consulted/collaborated with clinical peers, psychiatry, case management, correctional center staff, facility administrators, and outside agencies related to assessment, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, and community re-entry
- Facilitated the mental health portion of in-service training to medical, DOC, and administrative staff
Education
Master Level Courses
- Coursework: Counseling Addictive Disorders, Couples and Family Counseling & Crisis Trauma and Disaster Response
- GPA: 3.96/4.0
Master of Science - Counseling Education, Community Agency Counseling
GPA: 3.94/4.0
Bachelor of Social Work - Sociology
Skills
Clinical documentation
Therapeutic intervention
Solution-focused brief therapy
Crisis intervention
Mental health assessment
Skilled in intake interviewing
Treatment Planning
Electronic medical record software
Heartsaver first aid CPR AED
Timeline
Mental Health Clinician I, Department of Community Corrections
Community Corrections
09.2024 - CurrentRead More
Licensed Professional Counselor
Discovery Counseling & Consulting
06.2024 - 09.2024Read More
Mental Health Clinician I, Virginia Department of Corrections
Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women
08.2022 - 03.2023Read More
Clinical Supervisor, Henrico County Jail West
Henrico Mental Health and Developmental Services (Jail West)
04.2022 - 08.2022Read More
Psychology Associate II, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation
12.2021 - 04.2022Read More
Psychology Associate II, Virginia Department of Corrections
Virginia Correctional Center for Women/State Farm Work Center
08.2021 - 12.2021Read More
Psychology Associate I, Virginia Department of Corrections
Virginia Correctional Center for Women/State Farm Work Center
06.2017 - 08.2021Read More
Mental Health Therapist, Armor Correctional Health Services
Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women
06.2016 - 06.2017Read More
Psychology Associate I, Virginia Department of Corrections
Virginia Correctional Center for Women
04.2014 - 06.2016Read More
Mental Health Therapist, Armor Correctional Health Services
Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women
11.2009 - 04.2014Read More
Jacksonville State University
Bachelor of Social Work from Sociology
Read More
Jacksonville State University
Master of Science from Counseling Education, Community Agency Counseling
Read More
Walden University
Master Level Courses
Read More
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- License #0701009949 06/30/2024
- SOTP trainee #0815000347 03/02/2025
- Supervisor for Residents in Counseling 06/30/2024
Pillar of Unity Award
Worked in collaboration with Culpeper P&P to effectively provide probationer's with resources, support, crisis intervention and education thus reducing need.