Karen Beriss
Hyattsville,MD
Summary
Experienced role player and intelligence training consultant with extensive experience supporting complex, scenario-based training exercises for U.S. Government and DoD personnel. Skilled in role portrayal, improvisation, interviewing and elicitation, rapport building, scenario development, surveillance support, student evaluation, and adapting quickly in high-pressure environments. More than two decades of professional performance experience, with additional experience in crisis response and behavioral health training.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Intelligence Training Consultant
Intelligence Training
Washington, DC
05.2010 - Current
- Supported complex intelligence-training exercises for DoD and other U.S. Government personnel as a role player and surveillance operator.
- Portray realistic characters and scenarios in support of training conducted in hostile-environment and high-pressure settings.
- Enhanced students’ interviewing, elicitation, and interrogation skills through realistic, scenario-based interactions.
- Work effectively with diverse teams on challenging assignments requiring adaptability, discretion, and consistent performance.
- Provided critiques, evaluations, and professional reports to assess student performance after training exercises.
Therapist
Montgomery County Crisis Center
Rockville, MD
05.2025 - Current
- Conduct rapid, trauma-informed crisis assessments and brief interventions for individuals experiencing acute psychiatric emergencies.
- Use interviewing, rapport building, de-escalation, and safety-planning skills in community, residential, and emergency settings.
- Collaborated with law enforcement and EMS on Mobile Crisis Team to assess and coordinate appropriate care for individuals in crisis.
- Maintain accurate professional documentation and reports in accordance with applicable standards.
Corporate Magician / Presenter
Independent
06.1998 - Current
- Create and deliver customized live presentations for corporate clients, integrating performance with technical information about products and services.
- Adapt presentations in real time to different audiences, personalities, environments, and client objectives.
- Work closely with corporate staff to develop presentations and effectively communicate complex information.
- Trained engineers and sales professionals in public speaking and presentation skills, improving their communication effectiveness.
- Oversaw client relationships, contracts, scheduling, billing, and sales, ensuring operational success of performance business.
Hospital Performer
Healthy Humor
05.2010 - Current
- Perform for children and families at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and Children’s National Medical Center in inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Employed improvisation, observation, and interpersonal skills to engage individuals, adapting interactions to meet their needs in dynamic situations.
- Collaborate with hospital staff and use performance and play to support patients and families in high-stress environments.
Social Work Intern
Washington DC Veterans Administration
Washington, DC
08.2023 - 04.2024
- Assessed and coordinated care for Veterans with Substance Use Disorders, delivering supportive counseling to enhance recovery outcomes.
- Developed and co-facilitated a Veterans process group, collaborating with multidisciplinary care teams to improve treatment engagement.
- Maintained professional documentation and conducted assessments to identify and address treatment and recovery needs.
Education
Master of Social Work -
University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work
05-2024
Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology
Macalester College
01-2001
Skills
- Role Playing & Scenario Development
- Improvisation
- Intelligence Training
- Interviewing & Elicitation
- Rapport Building
- Behavioral Portrayal
- Scenario-Based Training
- Script Writing
- Surveillance Support
- Student Evaluation & Feedback
- Public Speaking
- Presentation Skills
- Professional Report Writing
- Adaptability
- Logistics & Activity Planning
- Microsoft Suite
Additional Information
CPR & Narcan Certified, Microsoft Suite, Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Timeline
Therapist
Montgomery County Crisis Center
05.2025 - Current
Social Work Intern
Washington DC Veterans Administration
08.2023 - 04.2024
Intelligence Training Consultant
Intelligence Training
05.2010 - Current
Hospital Performer
Healthy Humor
05.2010 - Current
Corporate Magician / Presenter
Independent
06.1998 - Current
Master of Social Work -
University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology
Macalester College