Kara Wissing
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Authentic and ambitious holistic centered trauma therapist. Current pending NJ Social Work Licensure to enable dual LMSW NY & NJ. Currently holding full time employment at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Interested in including part-time evening and weekend work in a private practice remote/hybrid setting.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Counselor
Manhattan District Attorney's Office
01.2023 - Current
- Provide holistic therapeutic support to survivors of crime specifically related to Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Violence and/or Survivors of Homicide
- Clinical utilization of crisis intervention therapeutic support, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychoeducation, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, & Attachment Theory
- Hospital Accompaniment, Interview Accompaniment, Court Accompaniment, support with Victim Impact Statement
- Assist in training and onboarding new counseling staff, providing guidance on policies, procedures, and best practices
Generalist Counselor
Manhattan District Attorney's Office
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Provide specialized trauma-informed therapy through Psychoeducation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing
- Provide interview and court accompaniment to survivors as therapeutic support through the legal process
- Provide stability services/crisis intervention to clients through and after their experience with the legal process
- Navigate person-centered care with focus for people who have been historically marginalized and its implications of trust within the legal system
Human Resources Liaison, Executive Coach
ASGC Financials
01.2022 - 12.2023
- Supports leadership and strategic decision by ensuring information management reports and analysis are created and disseminated on a routine basis
- Transformed Customer Service, Employee Manual and HR from administrative role to strategic business partner for key business decisions alongside implementing performance initiatives
- Therapeutic support to individuals regarding workplace performance, skills, assessment, goals and growth for themselves and the company at large
Substance Use Counselor
Behavioral Enhancement Substance Use Treatment
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Develop comprehensive treatment plans, establish and maintain individualized client care and rapport in an outpatient setting
- Established a weekly group for clients who had experience with institutionalization
- Provided and updated client documentation as per OASAS standards
- Established and maintained rapport with Probation Officers, Parole Officers, Case Managers, Psychiatrist and Emergency Contacts regarding client care
Transitional Case Manager, Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
EAC NETWORK
01.2021 - 12.2022
- Built rapport with over fifty clients who are incarcerated in Suffolk County Correctional Facilities with varieties of Substance Use Disorder Diagnosis' to sign on to voluntary transitional management services post release
- Person-centered services including assistance to placement to sober living, arranging substance use inpatient or outpatient treatment post-release, connection to therapy, psychiatry and medication stability
- Assurance of health insurance stability for access to community based services as well as other entitlement benefits through the Department of Social Services(DSS)
- Increased number of clients who stayed on with long term case management with the agency after ninety (90) day transitional case management services by three-hundred (300) percent
Forensic Social Work Intern
SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGAL AID SOCIETY (SCLAS)
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Sustain caseload of thirty (30) clients at any given time
- Writing mitigation/biopsychosocial for incarcerated clients, as well as interviewing clients for the reports
- Assist clients to access resources requested by an attorney as a part of an advocacy attempt to mitigate defense for the client including arranging mental health/substance use evaluations, inpatient or outpatient substance use treatment, housing support, referral to case management in community and more
Intern
NEW HOUR FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN
08.2020 - 05.2021
- Assists program facilitators in community outreach and educational programs to assist women recently released from incarceration in Suffolk County Correctional Facilities including providing wrap-around services to their families
- Advocate for the population through attending actions, calling legislators, analyzing policy and enhancing the stories of those who have experienced the justice and carceral system
Education
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Trained -
Stacy Lane Stoddard LCMFT, The Counseling Center
MD04.2025
Licensed Master Social Worker -
Association of Social Work Boards, New York
07.2023
MASTER IN SCIENCE - SOCIAL WORK
STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
05.2022
BACHELOR IN SCIENCE - SOCIAL WORK
STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
05.2021
Skills
- Crisis intervention
- Trauma-informed care
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Client advocacy
- Resource coordination
- Behavioral plan management
- Crisis response
- Mental health support
Events
- 05/01/24, Guest Speaker - Seeing Rape, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- 08/01/24, National Sexual Assault Conference (NSAC 2024), Washington D.C.
- 04/01/25, Alumni Panelist: Community Learning Day, Stony Brook University, School of Social Welfare
Timeline
Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Counselor
Manhattan District Attorney's Office
01.2023 - Current
Generalist Counselor
Manhattan District Attorney's Office
01.2023 - 12.2023
Human Resources Liaison, Executive Coach
ASGC Financials
01.2022 - 12.2023
Substance Use Counselor
Behavioral Enhancement Substance Use Treatment
01.2022 - 12.2022
Forensic Social Work Intern
SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGAL AID SOCIETY (SCLAS)
08.2021 - 05.2022
Transitional Case Manager, Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
EAC NETWORK
01.2021 - 12.2022
Intern
NEW HOUR FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN
08.2020 - 05.2021
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Trained -
Stacy Lane Stoddard LCMFT, The Counseling Center
Licensed Master Social Worker -
Association of Social Work Boards, New York
MASTER IN SCIENCE - SOCIAL WORK
STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR IN SCIENCE - SOCIAL WORK
STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
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