Keisha Dennis, LCSW
Manassas,Virginia
Summary
Mental health professional with proven expertise in team leadership and client care. Skilled in crisis intervention, therapeutic techniques, and case management. Strong focus on collaborative team efforts and consistently achieving positive outcomes. Known for adaptability, reliability, and maintaining high standards in dynamic environments.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Helath Therapist
Ellie Mental Helath
Chantilly, VA
08.2024 - Current
- Evaluates treatment effectiveness regularly, adjusting intervention strategies based on client feedback and clinical judgment as required.
- Maintains detailed documentation of client progress.
- Facilitates family therapy sessions to support communication, boundary setting, and healthy relationships among family members affected by mental health issues.
- Implements behavioral modification techniques for clients struggling with unhealthy patterns of behavior or thought processes contributing to their mental health challenges.
- Tailors therapeutic approaches to meet the unique needs of diverse client populations, including individuals with substance use disorders and trauma histories.
- Offers flexible appointment options to accommodate clients'' schedules, improving accessibility to therapeutic services.
- Establishes a strong rapport with clients by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural sensitivity.
- Develops comprehensive treatment plans for clients to address specific mental health concerns and goals.
Access Therapist II
Service Members, Veterans, and Families (SMVF) Coordinator
Woodbridge, VA
11.2021 - Current
- Conducts comprehensive assessments to identify SMVF needs and create tailored support plans
- Collaborates with local, state, and federal agencies to link SMVF to benefits, healthcare, and other essential services
- Advocates for the rights of SMVF and assist with navigating the VA system and other bureaucratic processes
- Coordinates multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure holistic care and effective service delivery
- Maintains a strong relationship with community organizations and service providers to enhance service delivery
- Monitors program effectiveness through regular feedback, and reporting, adjusting as needed to improve outcomes
- Facilitates counseling sessions to address mental health, substance abuse and family dynamics
- Prepares and maintains accurate records of client interactions, case notes, and program activates
- Administers community outreach initiatives increasing program visibility and engagement
- Provides crisis intervention, lethal means counseling, and ongoing support
- Supports military families through deployment cycles, providing resources, education, and emotional support
- Links military families to family readiness programs, workshops, and support groups to address unique challenge
- Developed program SOP
- Developed and distributed informational materials.
Community Support Team Lead
Pathway Homes, Inc.
Fairfax, VA
03.2021 - 11.2021
- Lead a team of social workers and support staff in providing comprehensive services to supported housing residents
- Conducted regular team meetings to discuss cases, share best practices and ensure coordinated care
- Oversaw crisis intervention efforts providing guidance and support to team members during emergencies
- Fostered partnerships with community organizations enhancing service delivery and resource availability
- Prepared and presented reports on program outcomes and teem performance to senior management
- Coordinated services with external agencies to ensure clients receive comprehensive care
- Led community outreach initiatives increasing program visibility and engagement
- Provided training and mentorship to new staff members and interns fostering professional growth and development
- Facilitated educational workshops on topics such as mental health, financial literacy, and life skills
- Oversaw scheduling and workload distribution to optimize team performance and service levels.
- Developed and maintained relationships with landlord’s, property managers, and housing providers to secure and retain housing for clients and managed data base for Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
- Evaluated staff performance regularly, offering constructive feedback designed to promote growth within their roles.
Outreach and Housing Retention Specialist
Pathway Homes, Inc.
Fairfax, VA
02.2020 - 03.2021
- Conducted outreach to identify and engage individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness
- Managed caseload of 40+ clients conducting assessments to determine housing needs, eligibility, and barriers to housing stability
- Provided case management and collaborated with clients to create individualized housing stability plans, addressing issues such as budgeting, employment, and life skills
- Conducted home visits and follow up assessments to monitor client progress and adjust support plans
- Assisted clients with housing applications, lease agreements, and understanding tenant rights and responsibilities
- Conducted regular follow ups with clients and landlords to resolve issues and prevent evictions
- Collaborated with local shelters, transitional housing programs and other service providers to coordinate client care.
Case Worker II, ACT
Central Counties Services MHMR
Temple, TX
01.2018 - 12.2019
- Provided Comprehensive, community-based mental health services to individual with severe mental illness, focusing on promoting recovery and community integrations using
- Worked with a multidisciplinary team to support clients in achieving recovery by discussing client progress, shared insights, and adjusting treatment plans as necessary
- Conducted thorough assessments to determine clients’ mental health needs, strengths, and goals
- Delivered a range of services, including case management, therapy, medication management, crisis intervention, and support with daily living activities
- Facilitated regular home visits and community outreach to ensure continuous, proactive support
- Advocated for clients’ needs and assisted them in accessing resources such as housing, employment, and healthcare
- Created a comprehensive support network by collaborating closely with clients’ families and caregivers
- Utilized evidenced based interventions to assist clients in coping with psychosocial aspects of mental illness
- Provided psychosocial education on mental health, addiction, abuse, and acculturation; all with cultural lens.
Supported Employment Specialist
Bloom Consulting LLC
Austin, TX
08.2016 - 04.2018
- Assisted mentally ill adults with employment process, including resume writing, job searching and job coaching
- Collaborated with various state agencies to provide support, training, and education around employment
- Assisted participants with interview preparations, as well as employment referrals and career assessments
- Developed and maintained database of employers that were able to provide placements for clients
- Developed job accommodations with employers in accordance with ADA
- Provided one-to-one job training on job-site making at least 10-15 contacts weekly to ensure quality job performance
- Consistently placed over 80% of eligible participants into competitive employment exceeding program requirement.
- Developed tailored treatment plans addressing diverse mental health needs and fostering long-term wellness.
- Enhanced the overall reputation of the practice by delivering exceptional client care and adhering to ethical guidelines set forth by professional organizations.
- Increased referral rates by establishing strong relationships with local businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations.
Office Automation Assistant
Department of Defence Education
Yokota Japan
09.2014 - 05.2016
- Facilitated communication between departments, resulting in improved collaboration and increased productivity.
- Assisted with scheduling and organizing meetings, ensuring timely completion of action items and project milestones.
- Analyzed existing workflows then suggested initiatives that would make use of automated tools leading to higher overall output rates among team members.
- Performed a variety of school administrative support functions, such as student registration, student attendance, and academic records maintenance.
- Calculated and collected tuition and maintained account of eligible academic standing.
- Entered, retrieved and manipulated data in the student information management system.
- Established and maintained administrative and subject matter files, monitored suspenses.
- Received school visitors, determined the nature of their business, and provide advice or referred them to the appropriate staff member.
- Assigned students to a homeroom and approved changes when necessary.
- Worked with parents to locate lost books.
- Secured payment for lost books.
Store Associate
Defence Commissary Agency
Various
10.2006 - 09.2014
- Greeted customers, helped locate merchandise, and suggested suitable options.
- Maintained a clean and safe shopping environment for customers through regular cleaning and monitoring of store conditions.
- Utilized strong multitasking abilities to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously during busy periods.
- Increased customer satisfaction by providing efficient and friendly service while handling transactions.
- Additional Job duties as Produce Store Manager for three months
Education
Master of Social Work - Mental Illness
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA08.2017
Bachelor of Arts: Sociology -
American Public University
Charlestown, WV08.2014
Skills
- Client Assessment and Evaluation
- Crisis Intervention
- Case Management
- Advocacy
- Community Outreach and Resource Coordination
- Ethical Practice and Confidentiality
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment
- Psychotherapy Techniques
- Multicultural Competence
- Building rapport
Certification
- Military Social Work
- Cognitive Process Therapy (CPT) Provider
- Anxiety Certification
- SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR)
License
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Timeline
Mental Helath Therapist
Ellie Mental Helath
08.2024 - Current
Access Therapist II
Service Members, Veterans, and Families (SMVF) Coordinator
11.2021 - Current
Community Support Team Lead
Pathway Homes, Inc.
03.2021 - 11.2021
Outreach and Housing Retention Specialist
Pathway Homes, Inc.
02.2020 - 03.2021
Case Worker II, ACT
Central Counties Services MHMR
01.2018 - 12.2019
Supported Employment Specialist
Bloom Consulting LLC
08.2016 - 04.2018
Office Automation Assistant
Department of Defence Education
09.2014 - 05.2016
Store Associate
Defence Commissary Agency
10.2006 - 09.2014
Master of Social Work - Mental Illness
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts: Sociology -
American Public University