Kandis Bowman-Lord
Norwalk,USA
Summary
Dedicated LCSW with extensive experience in clinical mental health settings, specializing in crisis intervention and various treatment modalities. Proven expertise in working with diverse populations, including LPS, forensic, medically fragile, skilled nursing, and youth demographics. Eight years of comprehensive experience includes documentation, assessment, diagnosis, behavior planning, individual and group therapy, as well as Trauma-Informed Care and Animal-Assisted Therapy for PTSD and borderline personality disorders. A strong commitment to community integration and patient advocacy is demonstrated through active participation on interdisciplinary teams, effective case management, and facilitating patient discharges by connecting clients to essential community programs.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Department of State Hospitals-Metropolitan State Hospital
Norwalk, CA
05.2016 - 02.2026
- Provide social work services to hospital patients and their families. Promote the psycho-social needs of hospital patients to enhance their optional level of health and recovery.
- Council and provides crisis intervention for Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) patients; including assessments, individual and group therapy, community outings, and treatment of emotional and behavioral problems related to hospitalizations. Liaison between conservators, family, physicians, psychiatrists and judiciary system for patients. Participates as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and assists in treatment and discharge planning.
- Case Management
- Treatment Planning
- Treatment and Strategy Methods
- Discharge Planning
- Treatment Groups
- Connecting Patients and Families to Community resources and programs in preparation for community integration.
- Patients Right’s Advocacy
- Implementation of Animal Assisted Therapy to LPS and SNF patients at Metropolitan Sate Hospital.
- Individual and Group Animal Assisted Therapy
- Implemented Animal Companion Program to reduce anxiety, relieve negative psychiatric symptoms, and promote overall well-being for long term medically fragile, skilled nursing, forensic, and LPS patients.
Los Angeles Unified School District - School of Mental Health - School Site Based
San Pedro & Long Beach, CA
09.2015 - 05.2016
- Main duties include responsibility for providing short-term mental health assessment and treatment to small groups, classrooms, and individuals in family sessions. Assist with appropriate referrals to community agencies and outreach programs for students and families. Communicate and work with the PSA regarding attendance and potential SARB cases. Promote parent involvement through implementation of parenting classes as well as assisting in SST meetings and the educational process by providing consultation to teachers in matters of students identified with behavioral, social, and/or emotional problems. Provided individual direct mental health services in crisis and emergency situations on campus. Provide psycho education to students and parents on substance abuse and suicide prevention. Facilitated weekly Second Step, FOCUS, CIBITS, Assisted Animal Therapy, and Social Skills in small groups for students at several schools. Created curriculum and facilitated monthly parenting classes at Rancho Dominguez Prep and Cabrillo Elementary.
- Conducted a qualitative study combining Animal Assisted Therapy with Cognitive Behavior Therapy in small group and individual therapy sessions.
- Integrated Animal Assisted Therapy into FOCUS, Grief Groups, and CBITS groups as well as individual therapy sessions.
- Attended SARB Training through LAUSD
- Trained in FOCUS evidence-based Curriculum
- Trained in Substance Abuse Screening and psycho-education
- Trained and familiar with suicide ideation screening and PERMT procedures
- Trained in Welligent Documentation System
Los Angeles Unified School District - School of Mental Health Wellness Center
Carson, CA
09.2014 - 05.2015
- Responsible for implementing community educational programs, assessing psychological symptoms, determining appropriate modalities of treatment, and implementing intervention methodologies according to DMH policy. Utilized DMH measurement scale for general and specific assessments, as well as objective patient criteria in the provision of services and evaluation procedures. Administered CBITS screening, validation, and group therapy to 6th and 7th grade students. Prepared psychosocial educational materials and lesson plans following Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum; administered second step to small groups.
- Implemented the first Animal Assisted Therapy program into current individual and group interventions
- Collected data for a Qualitative study on combining Animal Assisted Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy: looking at its effects on improving PTSD symptoms and overall mental health wellbeing.
- Assisted in the assessment, planning, arrangement, and implementation of macro project at Stephen White Middle School - addressing “bullying”.
- Responsible for the content of education and counseling programs for both individual patients and groups.
- Counseled referred patients and identified their psychosocial needs and created treatment plans.
Resource Room Specialist
Cabrillo Elementary School
San Pedro, CA
09.2013 - 05.2014
- Implemented and allocated resource instruction minutes in reading, writing, and math to meet the specific needs of assigned students. Collaborated with student’s general education teacher and parents to ensure support is indeed helping the student to reach their full potential and IEP goals. Worked closely with professionals and para professionals to support each specific student’s needs. Designed and implemented small group learning activities and curriculum that supported CORE standards. Oversight of the classroom and lesson plans while assigned RSP teacher attended IEP meetings. Navigated and documented students RSP hours and IEP goals on school Welligent.
Special Education Long Term Substitute Teacher
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles, CA
02.2013 - 06.2013
- Long term substitute teacher in a k-2 MRM class ranging in mild to severe disabilities with extreme behaviors. Developed lesson plans and learning centers for students with disabilities such as ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome Intellectually Disabled, Fragile X Syndrome, and specific learning disabilities. Responsible for developing and implementing behavior plans, IEPs, and daily routines for students through School Welligent. Administered the CMA for students in class and additional assessment tests as needed for IEP and group work placement category assignment levels. Worked with school staff members to develop learning centers, daily schedules, and modified materials to meet student’s diverse needs.
Mesa Verde Middle School
Moorpark, CA
01.2011 - 03.2011
- Assisted in the development and implementation of individualized education programs for children with ADD/ADHD, autism, emotional disturbance, speech impairments, noncompliant behavior, learning disabilities, physical challenges, and ELL students. Employed diverse techniques to promote active learning including individualized instruction, problem solving assignments, and small group work activities.
Graduate Student - Paid Internship
County of San Diego, Office of Emergency Services
San Diego, CA
09.2007 - 05.2008
- Worked with professionals charged with the coordination of emergency services during times of disaster. Assisted in the coordination of emergency support services during the wildfires crisis of 2007 in the County of San Diego, CA. Office served as headquarters for county and state officials in coordinating emergency efforts in evacuating the public and livestock, setting up relief centers, and tracking the individual fires. When not activated for disaster relief, I coordinated and set up assemblies and seminars for schools and businesses on how to be prepared for a disaster. I planned and coordinated seminars for groups of 25 to 100 participants, scheduled topic speakers, scheduled venues, and implemented a presentation schedule for each event. I created the marketing materials distributed to participants at each seminar and handled administrative duties on a daily basis.
Undergraduate Student Internship
Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission
Austin, TX
08.2004 - 01.2005
- I worked with investigators and analysts within the Homeland Security Division of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, a State of Texas public safety agency. I secured and assembled applicable alcoholic beverage licensing files for processing, assisted investigators, and performed daily administrative duties. I assisted investigators in securing background information on potential suspects, assisted with case work that dealt with subterfuge operations, visa fraud, organized criminal activity, and money laundering. Investigations involved tracing profits from the sale of alcoholic beverages to statutorily prohibited individuals and business entities, both domestic and foreign. I liaised with other law enforcement and regulatory entities in information gathering and exchange. I worked with restricted software such as Fin Cen and inquiries into TCIC (Sate of Texas) database.
Education
Master of Social Work - Mental Health
California State University Dominguez Hills
01-2016
Special Education Clear Credential Program - undefined
California State University Dominguez Hills
01-2014
Special Education Credential Program - Special Education Mild to Moderate
California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA01-2011
Master of Science - Homeland Security
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA01-2008
Bachelor of Arts - International Security and Conflict Resolution
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA01-2006
Master of Science -
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (2022) License #109695
Skills
- Psychosocial assessments
- Assessment skills
- Multicultural competence
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Behavior modification
- Group therapy
- Discharge planning
- Individual counseling
- Trauma-informed care
- HIPAA regulations
- Psychotherapy experience
- Patient support
- Differentiated instruction
- Individual education plans ieps
- Classroom management
Accomplishments
● Social Work Core Values Award
Department of State Hospital- Social Work Department 2023
● Publication of Children’s Book “Four Furry Friends”
Educational-Coping skills for anxiety 2023
● Recognition of Employee Excellence: Creating and Expanding DSH-MSH Animal Therapy Program
Metropolitan State Hospital 2019
● VIP Award for the State of California – (2017)
Department of State Hospital -Directors VIP Award
● Pet Therapy Program – Advocation and Implementation of Animal Assisted Therapy and Companion Animals at Metropolitan State Hospital (2021)
Affiliations
Active: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (2022) License Number – 109695
Active: Education Specialist Instruction Credential- 260027245
Certification
● Social Work Core Values Award
Department of State Hospital- Social Work Department 2023
● Publication of Children’s Book “Four Furry Friends”
Educational-Coping skills for anxiety 2023
● Recognition of Employee Excellence: Creating and Expanding DSH-MSH Animal Therapy Program
Metropolitan State Hospital 2019
● VIP Award for the State of California – (2017)
Department of State Hospital -Directors VIP Award
● Pet Therapy Program – Advocation and Implementation of Animal Assisted Therapy and Companion Animals on Program 6, Program 1, Lanterman Petris-Short Act and Penal Code 1370 population, Metropolitan State Hospital.
Timeline
Department of State Hospitals-Metropolitan State Hospital
05.2016 - 02.2026
Los Angeles Unified School District - School of Mental Health - School Site Based
09.2015 - 05.2016
Los Angeles Unified School District - School of Mental Health Wellness Center
09.2014 - 05.2015
Resource Room Specialist
Cabrillo Elementary School
09.2013 - 05.2014
Special Education Long Term Substitute Teacher
Los Angeles Unified School District
02.2013 - 06.2013
Mesa Verde Middle School
01.2011 - 03.2011
Graduate Student - Paid Internship
County of San Diego, Office of Emergency Services
09.2007 - 05.2008
Undergraduate Student Internship
Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission
08.2004 - 01.2005
Special Education Clear Credential Program - undefined
California State University Dominguez Hills
Special Education Credential Program - Special Education Mild to Moderate
California State University Los Angeles
Master of Science - Homeland Security
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Arts - International Security and Conflict Resolution
San Diego State University
Master of Social Work - Mental Health
California State University Dominguez Hills
Master of Science -
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (2022) License #109695
Awards and Major Accomplishments
Social Work Core Values Award Department of State Hospital- Social Work Department 2023, Publication of Children’s Book “Four Furry Friends” Educational-Coping skills for anxiety 2023, Recognition of Employee Excellence: Creating and Expanding DSH-MSH Animal Therapy Program Metropolitan State Hospital 2019, VIP Award for the State of California – (2017) Department of State Hospital -Directors VIP Award, Pet Therapy Program – Advocation and Implementation of Animal Assisted Therapy and Companion Animals on Program 6, Program 1, Lanterman Petris-Short Act and Penal Code 1370 population, Metropolitan State Hospital.
TRAINING AND CREDENTIAL
- Therapeutic Strategic Intervention (TSI) Certificate 2026
- Trauma Informed Care Certificate 2025
- LGBQT and Mental Health Certificate 2025
- LCSW License Number – 109695
- Education Specialist Instruction Credential -260027245
- Elderly Abuse and Mental Health Support Certificate 2025
- CPR Certified 2024
- Positive Psychology Certificate 2019
- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) CALSWEC seminar and training (2016)
- Cognitive Behavior Intervention for Trauma in Schools LAUSD Training Series (2015)
- Families Over Coming Under Stress (FOCUS) LAUSD Training series (2015 & 2016)
- Second Step LAUSD Training Series (2015 & 2016)
- Animal Assisted Therapy Qualitative Research Study, Training and Therapy Series 2014-2016