Therapist with a background in individual and group counseling for substance use, trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, grief, and co-occurring mental health needs. Supports treatment planning, client skill building, and interdisciplinary coordination while using CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and brainspotting to help clients strengthen coping and stability.
Overview
1
1
Certification
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Therapist
Center for Life Skills Development
04.2024 - Current
Facilitated therapeutic individual and group sessions for Veteran clients in Regional Municipalities Veterans Treatment Court, addressing early childhood trauma, military trauma, substance use, and life skills.
- Provided one-on-one and group therapy sessions to clients with various disorders, with a focus on substance use disorders
- Counseling individuals and assisting in skill building for adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses, and those with co-occurring substance abuse/use disorders
Organized and led therapy groups on symptom management for anxiety disorders and provided support for domestic violence and substance use, while enhancing clients' coping strategies.
Supported clients with case management by developing treatment plans and assisting with housing and job placement.
- Consulted with supervisors, staff, and other counseling interns regarding cases and resources
- Participated in bi-weekly training, Trauma, Bereavement, CBT
Primary Therapist
Cottonwood Tucson
Tucson
02.2021 - 04.2024
- Provided one-on-one and group therapy sessions to clients with various disorders, with a focus on Substance Use Disorders
- Counseled up to 13 patients weekly, addressing issues such as mood disorders, PTSD, and anxiety to support their mental health recovery.
- Facilitated group sessions, fostering a safe and confidential environment for clients to share personal stories and experiences.
- Collaborated with Medical Doctor and Nurse Practitioner to review patient progress and update treatment plans.
- Completed appropriate assessments (Beck Depression/Anxiety, Columbia Suicide Scale, PHQ-9, etc.) to determine the best courses of action.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of substance use and co-occurring disorders through continuous education, research, and training to enhance patient care.
- Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies, and promptly addressing for resolution.
Maintained a clean, valid driver's license and ensured access to reliable transportation for work purposes.
Case Management Specialist
El Rio Behavioral Health
Tucson
04.2020 - 02.2021
BA Level Mental Health Case Manager: Working towards MSW state licensure for LMSW.
- Advocated for clients' interests in meetings with healthcare providers, securing necessary care and interventions.
- Improved client satisfaction by actively listening to concerns and providing timely updates, through consistent communication and regular updates on case progress.
- Coordinated communication between all parties involved in the case, clarifying responsibilities and expectations.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies, and organizations to meet treatment needs.
- Offered clients referrals and social resources
- Entering SOAP notes, progress notes, and diagnoses into the electronic Health Records (EHR) program.
- Based on the patient's needs, develop a continuing plan that promotes their long-term health and relapse prevention.
Coordinated discharge appointments for group and individual therapy with psychologists and psychiatrists.
- Identified and arranged community resources to support patient discharge, enhancing access to post-discharge care.
- Delivered comprehensive documentation to providers, ensuring continuity of care and supporting effective transitions for patients.
Maintain clarity, conciseness, and timeliness of all documentation regarding patient discharge planning.
- Promoted a collaborative environment among colleagues by sharing best practices for efficient coordination across departments involved in the discharge process.
- Improved patient discharge process by coordinating with medical teams and ensuring timely communication between departments.
- Coordinated transportation services for patients, ensuring seamless transfers from the hospital to their next destination or in-home care provider.
- Established strong relationships with community-based organizations to provide additional resources and support for discharged patients in need of continued assistance at home or other facilities outside hospitals.
- Achieved HIPAA certification to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
Disabled Veterans Outreach Specialist
Department Of Economic Security
Tucson
07.2017 - 03.2019
- Received recognition for successfully securing employment for 122 Veterans resulting from individualized casework as well as teaching resume writing, interviewing skills, and primary job searching techniques.
- Assisted veterans and non-veterans with casework to overcome employment barriers, enhancing their job prospects.
- Provided guidance and support as a caseworker to individuals seeking to improve their quality of life through state-provided resources.
- Conducted outreach in the local community to reduce homelessness and raise awareness of available support services.
Provided resources and assistance to local agencies that offered temporary and permanent housing for homeless individuals.
United States Marine Corps
San Diego
02.1993 - 04.2015
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Simmons College
Boston, MA
08-2021
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Ashford University
San Diego, CA
05-2018
Skills
Individual therapy
Group therapy facilitation
Treatment plans
Clinical assessment
Progress assessments
Clinical documentation
Electronic health records
Client management
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Interpersonal Communication
Teamwork and Collaboration
Dependable and Responsible
Self-Motivated
Electronic health records
Personal Information
Driving License: Yes
Certification
CPR Certified 2026-09-24, Licensed Master Social Worker/State of Arizona 2026-09-01