Karen Nicholson-Muth, LMSW, LLC
Ann Arbor,MI
Summary
The available position for the clinical social worker at the Rachel Upjohn building is very timely as I have been thinking about returning to the University of Michigan as a full-time employee since my only daughter recently graduated from high school and is now attending college. I was a fellow at the child and adolescent clinic in 2008-2009 where I was supervised by Aileen Prout, Melissa Webster, Laura Nitzberg, John Bennet and Jonathon Marin, just to name a few. I also was a research coordinator for Dr. Kate Fitzgerald, Dr. Hanna, and Dr. Steve Taylor where I learned an incredible number of clinical skills in assessment and application of evidence base treatment modalities for obsessive compulsive disorder, mood disorders and specialized in treating anxiety disorders as well as Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
I have been practicing for 15 years where I have seen a wide range of patients. Most of my patients consist of children and adolescents, and I have been able to utilize my extensive knowledge of assessment and treatment modalities to tailor treatments either uniquely to what they would benefit most from and or in an eclectic fashion. I received many other subsequent training courses since being a fellow including CBT trauma focused therapy as well as substance abuse counseling.
I would be absolutely thrilled to return to the University of Michigan Children and Adolescent Clinic as I very much enjoyed my time working with everyone as a fellow when I was there. The people, team work, and amount of resources at the Rachel Upjohn is what I have missed and currently miss most about it. I value collaborative care with the psychiatrists, primary care physicians, and other specialists in caring for my patients and feel that I would bring my history, skills, compassion, and team work back to a place that taught me and trained me so well years ago.
I also very much enjoyed supervising new interns, fellows, and limited licensed clinical social workers when I worked at the Rachel Upjohn Building as well as teaching seminars and holding panel discussions at libraries at schools. I continued to hold seminars and panel discussions after I left and I would be very excited to supervise interns, fellows, and LLSWs at the child and adolescent clinic again!
Thank you for considering my application as I know you have many lovely candidates.
Sincerely,
Karen Nicholson-Muth, LMSW
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Social Worker
Private Practice
10.2011 - Current
- Provide evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive-Behavior therapy (CBT), Dialectical- Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Family therapy, and parent guidance to children, adults, adolescents, and families in Michigan.
- Present 'Starting a private practice' to recently graduated social workers and fellows/residents at University of Michigan.
- Supervise limited licensed social workers who are interested in clinical work.
- Provide school consultations regularly to improve Individual Education Plans and child’s and adolescent’s academic success.
Research Study Coordinator
University of Michigan Hospital and Health System
02.2008 - 01.2011
- Outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Recruited children and adolescents to participate in neuro-physiological and genetic studies.
- Created Excel and SPSS databases for data analysis.
- Conducted psychiatric assessments utilizing standardized research instruments.
- Managed and supervised research assistants.
- Outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Clinical Social Worker, Fellow
University of Michigan
10.2008 - 10.2009
- Outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Conducted psychiatric/psychosocial and chemical dependency assessments.
- Provided evidenced-based therapies, including CBT, trauma-based CBT, exposure response prevention therapy (ER/P), and DBT to diverse populations, including children, adolescents, adults, and families.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary medical team to ensure cooperative and quality care for all patients.
- Presented at Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor public schools to educate community about anxiety disorders and depression among youth and adolescents.
- Taught clinical skills seminars to social work interns.
- Outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Medical Social Worker
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
06.2007 - 08.2008
- Conducted psychosocial and chemical dependency assessments.
- Evaluated risk factors and developed treatment plans to ensure safe and comprehensive discharge plans for patients.
- Provided patients and their families with grief counselling and education regarding end-of-life issues and adjustment to chronic physical and/or psychiatric illness.
- Facilitated group therapy.
Preceptorship Training
University of Michigan Hospital
06.2006 - 12.2006
Clinical Social Worker, Internship
University of Michigan Hospital and Health System
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Conducted psychosocial and chemical dependency assessments.
- Provided evidenced-based therapies and grief counseling to culturally diverse populations.
- Developed a pregnancy support group for patients in Ypsilanti designed to decrease isolation and increase understanding of pregnancy issues.
- Wrote proposal that resulted in fellowship funding for the clinic.
- Provided case management services to patients with chronic and life-threatening illnesses to facilitate grief and adjustment to illness.
- Intervened in crisis situations to improve patient outcomes and physicians’ efficiency.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary team to provide integrative solutions to complex problems.
- Ypsilanti Health Center
Clinical Access Screener
Seattle Mental Health
12.2003 - 03.2005
- Conducted clinical assessments to screen patients for psychiatric diagnoses and establish eligibility for mental health services.
- Obtained clinical care authorization for mental health services from managed care companies and clinical authorization from selected contracts.
- Assessed patients’ appropriateness for various programs offered through Seattle Mental Health.
Research Assistant
Colorado State University
10.2000 - 12.2001
- Cognitive Neuropsychology Department
- Cognitive Neuropsychology Department research symposium and poster
Teaching Assistant
Colorado State University
01.2000 - 04.2000
Residential Counselor, Internship
Colorado State University
01.2000 - 04.2000
Education
Master of Social Work, M.S.W. - Interpersonal practice, Mental Health
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI12.2006
Bachelor of Science, B.S. - Psychology, Neurobiology/Anatomy
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO12.2001
Skills
- Child and Adolescent Family assessment
- Cognitive behavioral interventions
- Proficient in dialectical behavior therapy
- Exposure therapy expertise
- Psychodynamic counseling
- Family systems methodology
- Understanding trauma impacts
- Suicide risk assessment
- Psychoeducation
- Teaching and Supervision
- Client case management
Timeline
Clinical Social Worker
Private Practice
10.2011 - Current
Clinical Social Worker, Fellow
University of Michigan
10.2008 - 10.2009
Research Study Coordinator
University of Michigan Hospital and Health System
02.2008 - 01.2011
Medical Social Worker
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
06.2007 - 08.2008
Preceptorship Training
University of Michigan Hospital
06.2006 - 12.2006
Clinical Social Worker, Internship
University of Michigan Hospital and Health System
01.2006 - 12.2006
Clinical Access Screener
Seattle Mental Health
12.2003 - 03.2005
Research Assistant
Colorado State University
10.2000 - 12.2001
Teaching Assistant
Colorado State University
01.2000 - 04.2000
Residential Counselor, Internship
Colorado State University
01.2000 - 04.2000
Bachelor of Science, B.S. - Psychology, Neurobiology/Anatomy
Colorado State University
Master of Social Work, M.S.W. - Interpersonal practice, Mental Health
University of Michigan