Kristen Penate. LCSW
Adjunct Professor
Chino,CA
Summary
Committed and engaging Adjunct Professor bringing exceptional lecturing skills and expertise in Social Work and Mental Health fields. Gifted in engagement and guidance with 7 years in postsecondary education.
Dynamic individual with hands-on experience in areas of social work and mental health and talent for navigating challenges. Brings strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to new tasks. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Supervisor
Tricity Mental Health Authority
01.2025 - Current
- Facilitate hiring of qualified Adult and FSP Outpatient Program personnel by interview applicants and making recommendations for employment.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care for clients with complex needs, ensuring comprehensive support was provided across all domains of life functioning.
- Provided supervision to therapists in training, offering guidance and feedback on their professional development journey.
- On committee to change electronic health record database to improve streamlining patient information and management, also improving treatment coordination.
- Optimized scheduling processes that promoted efficient use of time in order to maximize clinician availability for direct patient contact.
- Conducted performance evaluations for clinical staff, identifying areas for development and implementing targeted training programs.
- Monitored adherence to ethical guidelines among clinical staff members, supporting their ongoing professional growth while maintaining high quality care standards.
- Streamlined documentation processes, reducing administrative workload for clinicians and improving efficiency.
- Strengthened compliance with healthcare regulations through rigorous oversight and continuous education of clinical staff.
- Responded to patient complaints and concerns, restoring trust and maintaining clinic reputation for quality care.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular staff meetings, case conferences, and training sessions.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by conducting regular audits of clinical records and procedures.
Licensed Clinical Therapist
Self
11.2020 - Current
- Maintained strict confidentiality regarding client information in compliance with HIPAA regulations while managing case records diligently .
- Managed caseloads efficiently, ensuring timely documentation and adherence to professional ethical standards.
- Provided crisis intervention services for clients experiencing acute distress, promoting safety and stabilization.
- Conducted thorough assessments to inform diagnoses and guide treatment planning for optimal results.
- Utilized culturally competent practices in therapy sessions, respecting diverse backgrounds and experiences of clients.
- Established a trusting environment that encouraged open communication between therapist and client, promoting self-awareness and growth.
- Assessed progress throughout the course of therapy using standardized measures to ensure continued effectiveness of interventions.
Behavioral Health Clinician
Orange County Health Care Agency
03.2018 - 01.2025
- 2 yrs experience providing clinical supervision to colleges.
- 5 yrs experience providing field supervision or mentor for MSW interns. Supervised interns or junior clinicians by providing guidance in assessment techniques, clinical interventions, documentation standards, and ethical considerations related to their work.
- 3 yrs experience as Subsidized Housing Liaison at Capestone in Anaheim.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify mental health needs and formulate accurate diagnoses.
- Use assessment skills and tools to determine suicide/homicide ideation, depression, anxiety/PTSD, and other diagnosis.
- Communicate with family and other providers to enhance services and provide support to client.
- Refer clients to community resources as needed.
- Provide mental health intervention to clients as mentioned above (CBT, MI, Solution-focused Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy).
- Provide weekly therapeutic sessions (at clinic or in field) and more if needed. Provide family therapy and crisis intervention, and hospital assessments for psychiatric holds as needed.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through collecting and analyzing data on client outcomes, using findings to inform adjustments in service delivery as needed.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based treatment plans and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of best practices in behavioral health through attending workshops, trainings, and conferences.
- Provided crisis intervention services, effectively deescalating situations and connecting individuals with appropriate resources.
Per-diem Mental Health ACSW
College Medical Center, Long Beach
02.2018 - 01.2021
- Conduct psycho-social assessments for new admissions and create a Treatment Plan for the client.
- Use assessment skills and tools to determine suicide/homicide ideation, depression, anxiety/PTSD, and other diagnosis.
- Communicate with family/friends to arrange discharge plans.
- Refer clients to community resources as needed.
- Provide mental health intervention to clients as mentioned above (MI, CBT).
- Provide therapeutic sessions and more if needed. Provide family therapy and crisis interventions as needed.
Mental Health ACSW
Royal Therapeutic Residential Center, Santa Ana
08.2017 - 02.2018
- Conduct psycho-social assessments for new admissions and create a Treatment Plan for the client.
- Use assessment skills and tools to determine suicide/homicide ideation, depression, anxiety/PTSD, and other diagnosis.
- Communicate with family/friends to arrange discharge plans.
- Refer clients to community resources as needed.
- Provide mental health intervention to clients as mentioned above (MI, CBT).
- Provide therapeutic sessions and more if needed. Provide family therapy and crisis interventions as needed.
MSW Internship
The Whole Child Mental Health Agency, Whittier CA
09.2016 - 04.2017
- Conduct bio-psycho-social assessments to determine if child/youth meets necessity, enter a diagnosis into EXYM and create a Treatment Plan for the client.
- Use assessment skills and tools to determine suicide ideation, depression, anxiety/PTSD, and other diagnosis.
- Communicate with parents to obtain consent for child/youth to receive mental health services.
- Refer clients to community resources as needed.
- Provide mental health intervention to clients as mentioned above (CBT, MI, Solution-focused Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy).
- Provide weekly therapeutic sessions and more if needed. Provide family therapy and crisis interventions as needed. Lead skills groups on Long Term Care Units.
MSW Internship
Anaheim Union School District
08.2015 - 05.2016
- Review and triage clients as needed to determine if youth meets necessity, how often youth should be seen, and what interventions would most benefit the individual.
- Use assessment skills and tools to determine suicide ideation, depression, anxiety/PTSD, and other diagnosis.
- Communicate with parents to obtain consent for child/youth to receive mental health services.
- Refer clients to community resources and/or mental health agencies depending on the severity of the youth’s diagnosis.
- Provide mental health intervention to clients as mentioned above (CBT, MI, Solution-focused Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy).
- Provide weekly group therapy for youth using the Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET) model.
Children’s Social Worker (10 years of experience)
Department of Children and Family Services SPA7, Belvedere and Santa Fe Springs
07.2005 - 08.2015
- Provided case management to children and families with open Voluntary Family Maintenance and Voluntary Family Reunification/Our Family Maintenance and Our Family Reunification and Permanency Services cases.
- Completed monthly assessments on children and families in caseload (at home or school) for assessment of child safety and wellbeing.
- Identified and assessed relatives for placement of children under DCFS/Court supervision.
- Assisted clients in finding and accessing community resources, problem solve to ease any obstacles and empower to obtain the needed/recommended services.
- Assist caregivers in meeting children’s medical, social, emotional and educational wellbeing by providing guidance, education and linkage to services.
- Collaborate with caregivers to provide for ongoing basis of efficient linkage, case management, assessment and provision of services.
- Coordinate with parents and relatives for arrangement of child/parent visitation.
- Provide ongoing assessments of needs and requests and request funding from DCF’s Program (STOP Funds/SAF Funds) when necessary.
- Attend various DCF sponsored workshops and educational training.
Intern/Case Worker-Stipend Program
Department of Children and Family Services - SPA7
09.2004 - 05.2005
- Duties the same as employment duties mentioned above under the supervision of assigned CSW’s/SCSW’s.
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work
University of Southern California
Los Angeles05.2017
Bachelor in Social Work - Social Work
California State University
Los Angeles06.2005
Skills
Use evidence based mental health interventions
Refer to the DSM for diagnosis formulation
Clinical supervision
Clinical staff management
Problem identification
Performance monitoring
Health information systems
Relationship building
Strategic planning
Adaptability
Employee performance evaluations
Problem-solving aptitude
Team building
Employee supervision
Clinical research
Training and mentoring
Timeline
Clinical Supervisor
Tricity Mental Health Authority
01.2025 - Current
Licensed Clinical Therapist
Self
11.2020 - Current
Behavioral Health Clinician
Orange County Health Care Agency
03.2018 - 01.2025
Per-diem Mental Health ACSW
College Medical Center, Long Beach
02.2018 - 01.2021
Mental Health ACSW
Royal Therapeutic Residential Center, Santa Ana
08.2017 - 02.2018
MSW Internship
The Whole Child Mental Health Agency, Whittier CA
09.2016 - 04.2017
MSW Internship
Anaheim Union School District
08.2015 - 05.2016
Children’s Social Worker (10 years of experience)
Department of Children and Family Services SPA7, Belvedere and Santa Fe Springs
07.2005 - 08.2015
Intern/Case Worker-Stipend Program
Department of Children and Family Services - SPA7
09.2004 - 05.2005
Master of Social Work - Social Work
University of Southern California
Bachelor in Social Work - Social Work
California State University