Kandice Witherspoon
Licensed Professional Counselor
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Team-oriented, forward thinking counselor with 15 plus years of experience providing therapy to youth, families, adults and seniors in distress. Driven and highly motivated. Passionate advocate for underserved populations who experience trauma, homelessness, housing and food insecurity, addiction, chronic illness and mental health challenges. Successful at managing multiple priorities while maintaining strong work ethic and exhibiting positive attitude.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Psychotherapist
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
04.2022 - Current
- Deliver evidence based therapeutic interventions for adults dealing with PTSD, mood and anxiety disorders resulting in measurable improvements in their emotional well being function
- Provided crisis intervention for individuals at risk, ensuring immediate safety and follow-up care.
- Participate in case reviews and supervision to ensure coordinated and effective care for patients
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary treatment team to provide best outcomes
- Work with clinical psychiatrist and primary care physician to review patient progress and update treatment plans.
Clinical Supervisor
Comhar Inc.
03.2017 - 07.2021
- Responsible for ensuring overall quality of clinical services and documentation in the Children's Services Department
- Provided clinical supervision to Behavior Specialist Consultants, Mobile Therapists, Therapeutic Staff Support and Care Coordinators
- Collaborated and consulted with Philadelphia public schools, local camps and community organizations in developing partnerships
- Identified barriers that hinder quality in service delivery
- Managed and supervised 10 clinicians and two care coordinators
- Participated in clinical monthly meetings with insurance company to discuss level of care
- Facilitated weekly therapeutic staff support training/supervision
- Redesigned employee recognition to boost office morale
- Recognized as Employee of Month
- Spearheaded and launched departments first children’s clothing bank initiative
- Facilitated interviews of clinicians and care coordinators and made recommendations for employment.
Outpatient Mental Health Therapist
Comhar Inc.
08.2013 - 03.2017
- Counseled seniors, adults and children using best practice treatment modalities
- Trained certified cognitive therapist in collaboration withBeck Institute
- Participated in weekly cognitive therapy clinical team supervision
- Taught individuals new ways of coping
- Encouraged individuals to become their own therapist
- Collaborated and engaged individuals in agenda and goal setting.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, including connecting clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Documented individual progress and maintained confidential records
- Completed initial comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments and formulated initial diagnosis using DSM-V
- Understanding of crisis management and de escalation
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of families and individuals
- Facilitated successful discharges by encouraging and reassuring individuals throughout the therapeutic process
Lead Clinician
Warren E. Smith
01.2013 - 08.2015
- Administered age appropriate behavioral health interventions reducing mental health related barriers to learning
- Ran individual therapy and group sessions for children ages 5 to10
- Developed psycho-education for parents and teachers
- Worked collaboratively with families, teachers and treatment team members to ensure continuity of care
- Increased family engagement with teachers using motivational interviewing
- Supervised behavior health workers to increase transfer of skills
Functional Family Therapist
The Consortium, Inc.
08.2011 - 01.2013
- Delivered researched based therapeutic model to keep children safe, strengthen families, and reduce need for placing children into state-funded care
- Made contact with families within 3 working days of referral and complete client intake session within 5 working days of referral
- Ensured FFT fidelity in weekly team clinical supervision
- Surpassed weekly utilization that changed standard expectation of seeing 8 families per week to 12.
- Evaluated and completed assessments at every treatment phase
- Complete FFT and agency required web based case record documentation
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with probation officers, referring agency staff and other community professionals to meet youth and family needs
- Assisted in locating resources to support progress such as housing services and financial assistance.
Mobile Therapist
Mercy Behavioral Health
06.2010 - 08.2011
- Oversaw caseload of 15-20 adolescents
- Completed field internship to obtain masters in clinical counseling
- Received one year of clinical training in psycho-dynamic therapy
- Engaged youths in individual and family therapy using CBT, behavior modification and motivational interviewing
- Responsible for maintaining weekly clinical documentation
- Presented monthly case conceptualizations to colleagues and management
- Participated in weekly individual clinical supervision
Behavioral Specialist/Mobile Therapist/Therapeutic Support Staff
WJS Psychological Associates
03.2007 - 06.2010
- Implemented strategies and techniques teaching children (18months up to 16 years)
- Worked with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other DSM diagnoses including ADHD, General Anxiety and Depression
- Educated families and TSS workers on behavioral modification techniques
- Monitored and maintained behavioral data
- Developed Behavior Modification programs to teach skills and decrease skill deficits
- Facilitated interagency meetings with families and insurance companies to discuss progress and concerns
- Collaborated and consulted with families, schools, and psychologists
- Transferred skills to parents and teachers
- Taught parents to increase youth compliance and decrease negative behavior
- Provided individual therapy to children and adolescents in home and community setting
- Accountable for submission of clinical documentation
School-Based Clinician
Community Council
10.2005 - 09.2006
- Conducted individual and group therapy sessions to 12-15 youths with emotional and behavioral problems
- Created, implemented, updated treatment plans based upon psychological evaluations
- Organized team to provide therapeutic interventions within classroom setting
- Provided supportive counseling in home as needed
- Partnered with outside agencies to support children and families
- Consulted and problem solved with caregivers about youth progress and concerns
Adult Intensive Case Manager
Crozer-Keystone Health System
09.2001 - 10.2005
- Managed caseload of over 50 adults and seniors
- Aided individuals in obtaining services, resources, and social security entitlements
- Advocated for emotionally disturbed, intellectually challenged and medically fragile individuals
- Transported and supported to and from psychiatric and medical appointments
- Acknowledged for exceeding utilization and timely submission of documents
- Provided effective problem solving, crisis prevention and supportive counseling
- Completed substance abuse assessments and connected persons with community supports and detox centers
- Maintained monthly contact with Magellan insurance company to provide clinical reviews
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Waynesburg University
Monroeville, PA 08.2009 - 08.2011
Master of Science - Community Counseling
Springfield College
Wilmington, DE 08.2003 - 12.2004
Skills
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Trauma Informed
Motivational Interviewing
Crisis Management
Cultural Humility
Adept At Treatment And Discharge Planning
License
Licensed Professional Counselor PC009305
Timeline
Psychotherapist
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
04.2022 - Current
Clinical Supervisor
Comhar Inc.
03.2017 - 07.2021
Outpatient Mental Health Therapist
Comhar Inc.
08.2013 - 03.2017
Lead Clinician
Warren E. Smith
01.2013 - 08.2015
Functional Family Therapist
The Consortium, Inc.
08.2011 - 01.2013
Mobile Therapist
Mercy Behavioral Health
06.2010 - 08.2011
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Waynesburg University
08.2009 - 08.2011
Behavioral Specialist/Mobile Therapist/Therapeutic Support Staff
WJS Psychological Associates
03.2007 - 06.2010
School-Based Clinician
Community Council
10.2005 - 09.2006
Master of Science - Community Counseling
Springfield College
08.2003 - 12.2004
Adult Intensive Case Manager
Crozer-Keystone Health System
09.2001 - 10.2005
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