Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
License
Timeline
Generic

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
Kandice WitherspoonLicensed Professional Counselor