Kathyrn Backus
Jackson,MI
Summary
Licensed Master of Social Work, looking to utilize my previous training and experience to empower clients, and provide them with the skills needed to have optimal mental, and emotional health. My background in working with those with various cognitive, emotional, and physical barriers will help me to allow individuals to find ways to lead a balanced life. I have demonstrated working knowledge of the field, leadership, and organizational skills in previous settings that have helped me to ensure high standards of care and compliance.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
BH Clinical Coordinator (School Based)
Family Service & Children's Aid
08.2022 - Current
- Assist with planning and coordinating staffing, including supporting CCO in supervision of school based mental health therapists.
- Mentored new clinical staff members for proper onboarding and program processes.
- Developed strong relationships with community school partners to enhance support services available for clients.
- Enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration through effective communication and coordination among school based team members.
- Conducts a thorough biopsychosocial assessment with each client referred to them and completes a thorough written assessment of each client, as well as detailed working knowledge of DSM-V to include accurate diagnoses on every biopsychosocial assessment.
- Developed an appropriate person centered treatment plan to intervene in a wide variety of emotional, behavioral or mental problems.
- Monitors progress toward meeting treatment goals, reviews progress with client, and reports on progress with respect to treatment goal(s) in quarterly reports.
- Complete and maintain all program record keeping, reports/documentation in a timely manner per FSCA requirements.
- Fulfills the requirements of all agency systems for statistical record keeping, reporting, program evaluation, quality assurance, internal control and attendance monitoring as appropriate to the position.
Behavioral Health Therapist
Family Service & Children's Aid
06.2020 - 08.2022
- Gathered patient information through reviewing data, personal interviewing, and test results and identified and diagnosed nature of clients' identified issues.
- Counseled individuals to bring awareness of problems, deal with crisis situations and develop action/safety plans.
- Developed personalized treatment plans based on principles of chosen modality as it related to each individual client.
- Encouraged clients and family members to practice and use skills and strategies for confronting problems constructively.
- Consulted with other therapists, public, and private service agencies and to advise clients on resources available.
- Referred clients to specialists, educational outreach programs, or social service agencies for additional interventional needs.
- Conducted thorough discharge planning processes, ensuring a solid foundation for client success following the termination of therapy services.
Student Intern
Family Services and Children’s Aid
10.2019 - Current
- Student completed initial assessments with incoming clients at the agency
- Used interpersonal skills in order to build rapport with clients and staff within the agency
- Identifying clients mental, emotional, and psychosocial needs and providing, access to therapeutic interventions to assist in meeting those needs.
- Student worked alongside client to develop and utilize individualized treatment plans
- Completed admission, quarterly, discharge, and transfer assessments as needed for clients within the agency
- Student utilized standardized tools to measure client’s level of functioning
- Worked alongside SUD staff to provide support and guidance to clients and their family members in a group therapy setting
Server
Beach Bar and Restaurant
08.2015 - Current
- Using active listening skills to communicate and work with patrons and employees from all different backgrounds.
- Using multitasking skills to ensure an enjoyable experience for patrons
- Training new servers on safety protocols, guest service expectations, and proper food handling guidelines.
- Answering patron’s questions and providing friendly, and prompt service.
Student Intern
Jackson County Medical Care Facility
10.2018 - 06.2019
- Completed psychosocial assessments for each resident to identify any past or current needs of the resident.
- Utilizing person centered skills to carry out quarterly assessments and evaluate each resident pertaining to their individual needs.
- Identifying residents mental, emotional, and psychosocial needs and providing, access to services to meet those needs.
- Worked along side the administrative and interdisciplinary team to ensure the protection of resident’s rights.
- Provided support and time to residents as well as their families to ensure proper education of all processes that take place within the facility.
- Monitored use of psychotropic medications as they pertained to behaviors within an interdisciplinary team.
- Assistance in developing and implementing person centered care plans.
- Utilize MDS through Point Click Care, a computerized system.
- Writing admission, quarterly, annual and behavioral progress notes on residents.
Student Intern
Center for Disability Services- Senior Day Center
01.2015 - 05.2015
- Working with club members to accommodate their daily needs, as well as working on their daily goal plans.
- Setting up, and helping to distribute meals, being careful to acknowledge those with special diet needs.
- Working closely with assigned members to complete certain tasks on their weekly goal sheets.
- Setting up active games for the members each Friday afternoon, with all areas of deficit in mind, to include each member to the best of their ability.
- Providing club members with creative ways to satisfy their social needs
Education
Masters of Social Work - Social Work
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, Michigan07.2020
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Health Services
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan12.2015
Skills
- Clinical leadership
- Staff development
- Patient confidentiality and education
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Trauma informed
- CBT
- Experience with various skills in TF-CBT, CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing
- Experience with several populations
Timeline
BH Clinical Coordinator (School Based)
Family Service & Children's Aid
08.2022 - Current
Behavioral Health Therapist
Family Service & Children's Aid
06.2020 - 08.2022
Student Intern
Family Services and Children’s Aid
10.2019 - Current
Student Intern
Jackson County Medical Care Facility
10.2018 - 06.2019
Server
Beach Bar and Restaurant
08.2015 - Current
Student Intern
Center for Disability Services- Senior Day Center
01.2015 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Science - Interdisciplinary Health Services
Western Michigan University
Masters of Social Work - Social Work
Spring Arbor University
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