Kelly Thomas, LMHC
Tipton,IA
Summary
Empathetic therapist who maintains composure facilitating individual and family therapy in high stress environments. Creates trust and ensures compassion towards individuals working to engage and maintain vocations and healthy relationships.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
BHIP Outpatient Therapist
Veterans Health Administration
Sheridan, WY
08.2022 - Current
- Care coordination for clinical assessments, diagnoses, individual therapy, couples therapy & crisis intervention.
- Provides individual and family psychotherapy for consumers with complicated grief, polytrauma, chronic illness, and addiction.
- Provides supportive seminar education and supervision for interning psychologists within the mental health service line.
- Implements Evidenced Based Programs; ACT for PTSD, Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy, Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR)
- Organizes and facilitates Present Parenting therapeutic group for Veteran and Partner, Anger Management and Emotional Regulation group, Living with PTSD and Anxiety Workshop group.
- Plan and provide educational seminars for psychology interns.
- Create and instruct Grand Rounds curriculum related to sexual health within Veteran Care.
School Based Therapist, License #001393
Families, INC
West Branch, IA
07.2013 - 08.2022
- Responsible for clinical assessments, diagnoses, individual therapy, crisis intervention
- Provide individual and family psychotherapy for consumers with complicated grief, poly trauma, chronic illness and addiction
- Develop School Based Therapy Programs within two school districts serving a population of 1850 students
- Responsible for coordinating mental health services for Pre-K-12th grade students and families in 7 buildings throughout 3 school districts
- Maintain all documentation including assessments, therapeutic notes, releases and forms required for insurance and state credentialing compliance
- Serve as consultant to all educational staff and administration increasing establishment of crisis response of critical incidents within the school district
- Coordinate resources with homeless Liaisons, Ecumenical committee, Public Health as well as interagency services
- Create and facilitate agency trainings to meet continuing education needs of licensed staff
- Maintain re-credentialing as well as all Continuing Education Credits for licensure
- Incorporate Child Outcome Rating Scales for data driven interventions
- Coordinate care with school staff, school psychologists, Occupational therapists, medical care providers and psychiatric prescribers
- Communicate realities of expected student skills with reasonable outcome measures to families and school personnel
- Partner with school personnel, guardians and vocational counselors to transition students with disabilities to post secondary living or education
- Support Grant Wood AEA staff on identifying accommodations for learning disabilities and educating teaching staff on how to facilitate accommodations with students
- Support students in resume and document building using Google documents
Independent Contractor
Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center
Muscatine, IA
07.2013 - 07.2015
- Counsel referred child sexual abuse victims and their families identified by the Child Protection Center
- Co-wrote United Way grant to increase funding for at-risk children and families in Cedar County
- Led adolescent groups of at-risk identified student populations to reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, crisis and depression
- Utilize Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children & Young Children, Child Sexual Behavior Inventory and Harborview to identify symptoms
- Educate families and students on identifying and symptoms of domestic violence, gaslighting as well as emotional and mental abuse
- Prepare children and families for testimony working with child advocates, law enforcement and prosecutors
School Based Therapist
Vera French Community Mental, Health Center
Davenport, IA
07.2011 - 07.2013
- Counsel individuals and groups with psychological diagnosis and identified significant abuse or trauma within 3 elementary schools serving kindergarten to 6th grade
- Develop and implements therapeutic treatment plan in a medical and academic environment
- Observe students to detect indications of learning differences affecting academic and ability to engage in therapeutic services
- Refer and collaborates with medical professional for symptom management as well as learning disorder diagnosis
- Respond to client reactions, evaluates effectiveness of counseling and treatment and modifies plan as needed
Behavioral Health Intervention Strategist
Families, INC
West Branch, IA
01.2010 - 07.2011
- Write treatment plans including goals, objectives and maintains weekly, monthly and quarterly reports for each individual
- Counsel families to recognize transferable skills of behavior management strategies to implement at home, school, jobs and in public
- Provide crisis intervention for consumers at home, school or in public Conduct assessments to identify children and adolescent needs and future therapies for substance abuse or continued mental health care
- Coordinate and facilitates agency tradings for continuing education credits
Internship
Sixth Judicial District
Coralville, IA
01.2009 - 11.2009
- Gather data on residents and inmates through use of case history, interview and institutional assessments including; Jessness and LSI
- Assess probationaries and inpatient residents educational, occupational, and medical information to formulate realistic goals for education, vocational and personal goals Coordinate educational and positive actives for Chidden of Promise for the 2009-2010 school year
- Coordinate continuing care for released residents
- Participate in racial disparity meetings to reduce profiling and social injustice to identified populations
- Assist in coordinating the 2009 Eastdale Plaza job fair and soliciting vendors for participation
- Participate in therapeutic Drug Court team in Linn & Johnson counties that included; probation meetings, home checks and compliance with career expectations of probation
- Create PowerPoint presentation regarding appropriate coping skills in the workplace for Hope House residents and other referred probation residents
- Support continuity with institutional policies, regulations and procedures
- Supervise drug testing within drug court to ensure Probationers maintain probation expectations
County Project Coordinator
MECCA
Iowa City, IA
09.2006 - 01.2009
- Develop, implement and maintain substance abuse grants at state and federal level geared at community and adolescent substance abuse
- Facilitate prevention groups for at-risk populations to increase educational and vocational performance and decrease substance use in Cedar, Johnson, Washing ton and Iowa Counties
- Supervise grant staff providing JEL services as well as Freedom From Smoking services
- Maintained payroll for state grants
- Coordinate and presented substance abuse awareness presentation with local law enforcement, civic groups, corporations and the media
- Advocate for local prevention efforts and strategies to Iowa legislators by recruiting and training community members to lobby for reform resulting in Smoke Free Iowa Law 2008
- Prepare curriculum on a quarterly basis and coordinated with At-Risk Counselors, school administration and teachers to facilitate prevention curriculum to whole middle school grades
- Organize stakeholders and educated community members to vote to change Iowa City, IA city ordinance to bars 21-Only reducing underage drinking
- Chair & Manage RAGBRAI 2008 Tipton Beverage tent to maintain substance use compliance with state law coordinating with local and county law enforcement, communication companies, Department of Transportation, medical & emergency responders
Director of Marketing
Community State Bank
Stanwood, IA
10.2005 - 09.2006
- Design and create promotional brochures, direct mailing and new loan campaigns
- Coordinate marketing events and promotions
- Maintain and redesigned company websites
- Supervise Kid’s Club and advised Five Star Coordinator
- Uphold and monitor Federal advertising regulations to preserve FDIC compliance
- Lead front line staff on selling bank products and facilitating customer relations
- Participate in community groups to represent holding group in community development and promote local relationships with bank institution
Education
M.A. - Rehabilitation Counseling & Student Development
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA05.2010
B.A. - Communication & Art
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA07.2005
Affiliations
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Parent Child Interaction Therapy
- Integrative Behavior Couples Therapy
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for PTSD
- Strengthening Families
- FAST Trainer
- Prime For Life Instructor
- Building Inclusive Engaged Community Military Child Education Coalition
- Member of End Advisory Committee Kirkwood Community College
- Member of Iowa Mental Health Association
- Member of Tipton Development Commission 2018-2022
- Requested speaker to deliver eulogies
Accomplishments
- Conflict resolution
- Empathetic
- Effective communication
- Energetic
- Creative
- Positive
- Open Minded
- Adaptable
- Strong boundaries
Timeline
BHIP Outpatient Therapist
Veterans Health Administration
08.2022 - Current
School Based Therapist, License #001393
Families, INC
07.2013 - 08.2022
Independent Contractor
Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center
07.2013 - 07.2015
School Based Therapist
Vera French Community Mental, Health Center
07.2011 - 07.2013
Behavioral Health Intervention Strategist
Families, INC
01.2010 - 07.2011
Internship
Sixth Judicial District
01.2009 - 11.2009
County Project Coordinator
MECCA
09.2006 - 01.2009
Director of Marketing
Community State Bank
10.2005 - 09.2006
M.A. - Rehabilitation Counseling & Student Development
University of Iowa
B.A. - Communication & Art
University of Iowa
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