Laney Sutton
Columbia,SC
Summary
Experienced Social Worker and Professional Counselor with 16 years of expertise in resolving mental health issues and promoting positive living choices. Skilled in family systems therapy and individual outpatient clinical therapies, with a focus on culturally diverse populations. Known for creativity, flexibility in service delivery, and proficiency in case management. Dedicated to providing high-quality, cost-effective care for patients and families. Motivated to tackle new challenges, possessing a strong work ethic, adaptability, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to work effectively unsupervised while quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinician
Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc . (MIRCI)
Columbia
11.2023 - 04.2025
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies when needed, ensuring immediate safety measures were in place for at-risk patients.
- Delivered high-quality patient care by conducting thorough assessments, developing treatment plans, and providing ongoing therapeutic support.
- Developed tailored treatment plans to address the unique needs of each patient and promote optimal recovery.
- Advocated for patients within the healthcare system to ensure access to appropriate resources and services when needed.
- Participated in case reviews with multidisciplinary teams to discuss complex cases and develop collaborative solutions for individualized care plans.
- Collaborated with primary healthcare providers to ensure seamless integration of mental health services into overall patient care plans.
- Established appropriate course of treatment and implemented interventions.
- Conducted group therapy sessions to facilitate skill development, coping strategies, and emotional processing among participants.
Community Based Specialist/Practitioner
Epworth Children'S Home
Columbia, SC
05.2022 - 11.2023
- Developed strength-based, solution-focused individualized goal and action plan to promote permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
- Attended case management team meetings to staff current clients and provide insight on caseloads.
- Prepared referrals for support services and resources to assist consumers in obtaining self-sufficiency.
- Transported clients to job interviews, medical appointments and mental health visits to meet basic needs.
- Developed and implemented short- and long-term case management initiatives to improve client programs.
- Educated clients and community members about mental or physical illness, substance abuse, medication-assisted treatment and available community resources.
- Coordinated psychosocial assessments, treatment plans and progress notes.
- Assisted with development of daily living, communication and social skills in underserved individuals.
- Conducted needs assessments and referred clients to financial, medical, social and community assistance and services.
- Educated family members and helped each support clients by improving coping techniques.
- Helped clients deal with substance abuse, mental illness and other concerns by delivering personalized counseling support.
- Facilitated weekly group sessions focused on various issues to help groups and individuals.
- Developed and optimized treatment plans to help clients continue to progress.
- Modified treatment plans to support client goals and status.
Counselor Intern and New Hire
Insights Educational and Treatment Services
Columbia, SC
12.2021 - 04.2022
- Implemented Therapeutic interventions to promote positive behavior changes.
- Wrote comprehensive goals and patient treatment plans.
- Met with patients and provided diagnoses and consultations.
- Communicated progress to teachers, parents and guardians, addressing concerns on areas requiring improvement.
- Talked with family members during period when patients could not self-advocate.
- Recorded comprehensive patient histories and coordinated treatment plans with multi-disciplinary team members.
- Addressed issues through emotionally intelligent conversation and conflict resolution techniques.
- Collected information necessary for psychological diagnosis by interviewing, observing and surveying patients.
- Incorporated different treatment methodologies and evidence-based practices to meet clients' specific needs.
Patient Care Manager
Welvista
Columbia, SC
08.2007 - 12.2020
- Reviewed and monitored programs regularly and coordinated resources and materials.
- Implemented community outreach and engagement plans to reach vulnerable communities.
- Collaborated with community-based organizations and key stakeholders to address community initiatives.
- Maintained outreach contacts in organization's database to track progress toward base building goals.
- Developed engagement and outreach metrics to solicit community engagement.
- Conducted outreach to local community leaders and progressive organizations and assisted with local and regional on-site events.
- Identified resources to create fundraising opportunities.
- Solved social problems, transformed struggling and fragmented communities into cohesive, safe groups with sound economies and team spirit.
- Inspired communities and individual citizens to mobilize and coordinate forces and develop tools to accomplish social change.
Residential Advisor
The Pines Residential Treatment Center
Portsmouth, VA
03.2008 - 01.2010
- Identified students' individual strengths and encouraged extra-curricular activities in areas of interest.
- Advised and referred students to appropriate resources in personal, social and academic matters.
- Coordinated, planned and supervised hall gatherings and functions to promote and increase social skills among students.
- Established professional rapport with hall residents, building lasting relationships with people of various ages and from different cultures.
- Assisted students in planning and meeting program service goals by organizing community service and fundraising opportunities.
- Communicated with staff to resolve problems with individual students.
- Administered, coordinated or recommended disciplinary and corrective actions.
- Observed students to detect and report unusual behavior.
- Interfaced with residents to address and resolve complaints or grievances.
Restaurant Waitress
Chili's Bar and Grill
Columbia, SC
09.2003 - 11.2004
- Provided exceptional service to high volume of daily customers.
- Communicated with hosts, bussers and kitchen staff to prepare for and serve customers.
- Developed rapport with guests and assisted in generating repeat business by providing exceptional customer service.
- Checked with customers to determine satisfaction with meals, promptly taking action to correct problems.
- Trained new employees on restaurant procedures and plating techniques.
- Served food and beverages to patrons and confirmed complete orders.
- Checked with guests to get feedback on food served, resolve issues, bring additional items and refill beverages.
- Trained new employees to perform duties.
Volunteer
Department Of Health And Human Services
Newport News, VA
02.2001 - 09.2003
- Educated residents and families about available services and resources.
- Kept facilities organized, clean and well-maintained to best meet program needs.
- Partnered with similar organizations to meet greater needs, preventing duplication and optimizing resource utilization.
- Sorted and distributed food to disadvantaged families, including canned goods and fresh produce.
- Talked with volunteer prospects to identify personal goals and effectively pair individuals with appropriate organizations.
- Emailed information and reminders regarding upcoming volunteer opportunities to community leaders and civic groups.
- Collaborated with others to discuss new fundraising opportunities.
Education
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ01.2022
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA12.1995
Skills
- Active listening
- Multitasking
- Personable nature
- Conflict mediation
- Proactive problem solving
- Time management
- Patient interviewing skills
- Empathetic and Warm
- Organized and Structured
- Passionate about Helping Others
- Community outreach
- Customer support and assistance
- Client meetings
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Good work ethic
- Microsoft Office
- Teambuilding
- Patient Assessment
- Emotional Awareness
- Critical Thinking
- Reliable & Trustworthy
- Computer Skills
- Relationship Building
- Good Work Ethic
- Problem Resolution
- Active Listening
- Conflict Resolution
- People Skills
- First Aid/CPR
- Organizational Skills
- Friendly, Positive Attitude
- Skilled Multi-Tasker
Accomplishments
Employee of the Month October 2019
Certification
- Licensed Professional Counselor Associate -2023
Education and Training
other,false,other
Timeline
Clinician
Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc . (MIRCI)
11.2023 - 04.2025
Community Based Specialist/Practitioner
Epworth Children'S Home
05.2022 - 11.2023
Counselor Intern and New Hire
Insights Educational and Treatment Services
12.2021 - 04.2022
Residential Advisor
The Pines Residential Treatment Center
03.2008 - 01.2010
Patient Care Manager
Welvista
08.2007 - 12.2020
Restaurant Waitress
Chili's Bar and Grill
09.2003 - 11.2004
Volunteer
Department Of Health And Human Services
02.2001 - 09.2003
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Christopher Newport University