Laurel A. Wood
East Haddam,CT
Summary
Psychotherapist with extensive experience at Valera Health, specializing in evidence-based treatment planning and crisis intervention. Demonstrated success in enhancing patient care delivery and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration. Skilled in strategic planning and building strong client relationships, and certified as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, resulting in significant improvements in mental health outcomes.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Psychotherapist (Remote)
Valera Health
Brooklyn
09.2024 - Current
- Provided psychotherapy services to individuals and couples through a secure online platform.
- Conducted thorough assessments to evaluate emotional and psychological well-being of clients.
- Developed customized treatment plans aligned with specific client needs and objectives.
- Employed evidence-based practices to effectively manage various mental health challenges.
Psychotherapist (Remote)
BetterHelp
12.2019 - 03.2024
- Conducted individual therapy sessions addressing client mental health needs.
- Developed tailored treatment plans based on client goals and conditions.
- Utilized evidence-based practices to enhance therapeutic techniques.
- Provided crisis intervention and support during emergencies.
- Maintained accurate, confidential client records in compliance with regulations.
- Assessed client needs through intake interviews and diagnostic assessments.
- Educated clients on coping strategies to reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Constellation Health Services
Southbury
10.2019 - 09.2023
- Provide psychosocial evaluations, crisis management, and direct clinical services, working with individuals, families, and groups in a skilled nursing facility. Clients are from diverse backgrounds, presenting with a wide range of psychosocial and psychiatric concerns. Maintain professional standards of confidentiality and ethics in accordance with established guidelines.
Post-Acute Network of Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Centers
IMPACT MENTAL HEALTH (A National Healthcare Affiliate)
Orange
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Facilitated individual therapy sessions employing evidence-based methodologies for optimal results.
- Created individualized treatment plans reflecting distinct client needs and objectives.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to deliver holistic client care.
- Offered crisis intervention services during emergencies to stabilize client situations.
- Instructed clients on coping mechanisms and mental wellness techniques for improved well-being.
- Assisted families through challenging life events, such as divorce or bereavement.
- Engaged in regular case reviews with peers to evaluate client difficulties and strategize solutions.
- Documented client progress accurately using clinical software, including EHR systems.
Vice President of Operations
HARVEST HEALTHCARE
Avon
12.2009 - 09.2019
- Directed the efforts of a Director of Clinical Development (APRN), a Director of Neuropsychology, a Corporate Compliance Officer, and 40 staff members in all operational aspects of the business. Areas of accountability included: Strategic Planning and Execution, Marketing/Business Development, Staffing, Regulatory Compliance, and Fiscal Management. (For full details of Harvest Healthcare's responsibilities and achievements, click here.)
- Helped the company triple annual revenue – a key member of the executive team that drove the business to nearly triple clients (from 24 to 70) and to more than triple annual revenue during my tenure.
Regional Program Director
NEW ENGLAND GERIATRICS
West Springfield
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Provides Top Quality Mental Health Services to Contracted Long-term Care Facilities and Geropsychiatric Hospital Units
- Directed multiple providers statewide, including Psychiatrists, APRNS, Psychologists, and LCSW’s.
- Opened Connecticut Territory – Recruited by the company owner to bring the company concept, business model and practices to Connecticut, after 25 years exclusively in Massachusetts. Utilizing contacts, credibility, expertise and proactive leadership, quickly and efficiently built the company infrastructure and established it as a positive force in Connecticut. Identified an improved billing system, which was accepted and implemented by executive management.
- Major Successes – Within first month of hire, secured Masonicare contract, which became the core for start-up of Connecticut operations. Opened up a 16-bed GeroPsych Unit at Manchester Memorial Hospital/Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN) Further built the business base, by effectively developing business relationships with several additional Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). Recruited, on-boarded, trained, managed and motivated a high-caliber professional staff for all locations.
- Technology Integration – Successfully integrated different electronic health records (EHRs): Claimtrack (NEG) and Cerner (Masonic). Provided the leadership that ensured that the all new staff prepared to make a smooth transition to Cerner (from Meditech) on the first day at Masonicare.
- Business Acquisition – New England Geriatrics was acquired in 2019 by HealthDrive, a leader in delivering integrated specialty services to residents of long-term care, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Behavioral health services provided a broader, more comprehensive spectrum of services, which also include dentistry, audiology and podiatry. The transaction was facilitated by Bain & Company, a global management consulting firm. Position was eliminated in September 2019.
Vice President of Operations
HARVEST HEALTHCARE
Avon
01.2010 - 01.2017
- Delivered behavioral health services in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.
- Established quality assurance protocols to ensure service excellence.
- Identified operational challenges and executed solutions to streamline processes.
- Developed long-range business growth plans, resulting in increased annual sales.
Senior Vice President of Operations
MEDOPTIONS, INC.
Old Saybrook
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Managed145 professional mental health staff in 250 Skilled Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Annual company revenue for these states was $12 million. Clinicians made 15,000 monthly visits, with a 40% share of this market. Focus of the business was to provide outside psych nursing services to long-term care geriatric clients with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease and chronic mental illnesses. Initially assigned to the Connecticut territory. Expanded the company footprint to Massachusetts and Rhode Island through organic business growth.
- Innovative Management – Introduced a number of pro-active managerial tools which improved communication, enhanced clinical productivity, encouraged staff development and strengthened the use of metrics in management.
- Led Business Growth – Maintained dominant market share in Connecticut, successfully replacing significant revenue gaps due to ten facilities lost prior to promotion to the position. Added nine new Assisted Living Facilities as clients. Improved clinician retention from 2008. Increased Rhode Island I revenue by 25%.
- Industry Leadership – Served as the visible “face and voice” of MedOptions, Inc. within the industry, cultivating strong strategic relationships. Actively participated in statewide committees in Connecticut which fostered improved communication between agencies (Department of Public Health, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Social Services, Skilled Nursing Facility Corporations and Community Hospitals).
Sr. Vice President of Operations
MEDOPTIONS, INC.
Old Saybrook
01.2002 - 01.2010
- Directed operational strategy, enhancing efficiency and service delivery across departments.
- Managed cross-functional teams to align objectives with organizational goals.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined daily operations and reduced inefficiencies.
- Developed training programs to advance staff skills and operational knowledge.
- Coordinated compliance initiatives, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards in healthcare practices.
- Analyzed performance metrics to pinpoint areas for operational enhancement.
- Oversaw policy development and implementation related to operational activities.
Vice President of Clinical Services
MEDOPTIONS, INC.
Old Saybrook
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Established solid working relationships with acute care and psychiatric hospitals. Developed strong ties to state agencies involved in geriatric and mental health services. Collaborated with Marketing Department to expand market share.
- Helped Company Triple Revenue – Key contributor during a sustained period of rapid growth. Over this four-year period, company more than tripled in annual revenues, from $3 million to $10 million+.
Program Manager
SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER (Behavioral Health)
Hartford
01.1993 - 01.2002
- Full range of mental health and substance abuse treatment programs for all ages.
- Program Manager (1998-2002), Director, Social Service Department (1997-1998), Primary Therapist (1993-1998). For details of responsibilities, contributions, and achievements, click here.
Education
Master of Science - Social Work
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (in the City of New York)
New York, New York01.1993
Bachelor of Arts - Social Services
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
Hempstead, New York01.1991
Skills
- Strategic planning and thinking
- Operational excellence
- Program development
- Employee engagement
- Product development
- Patient care delivery
- Continuous improvement
- Culture development
- Project management
- Regulatory compliance
- Capital budgeting
- Staff training and development
- Quality measures
- System integration
- Change management
- Evidence-based practices
- Psychotherapy techniques
- Treatment planning
- Crisis intervention
- Client assessment
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Case management
- Electronic health records
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Emotional intelligence
- Active listening
- Relationship building
- Stress management
- Safety and risk assessment
- Motivational interviewing
- Discharge planning
Certification
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Connecticut License #003413.
- Licensed Clinical Independent Social Worker, Rhode Island License #ISW02032, Massachusetts License #115422
Accomplishments
1991 PI GAMMA MU -National Honor Society
2025 Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapist
2025 Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapist
Affiliations
AKC-Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America
2024 National Specialty 1st place- Breeder, Co-Owner # 6 BMD in USA, #13 All-Breed Dog in USA Breeder, Multiple bred AKC BMD Grand Champions, champions, Top Producer AKC Champions
2024 National Specialty 1st place- Breeder, Co-Owner # 6 BMD in USA, #13 All-Breed Dog in USA Breeder, Multiple bred AKC BMD Grand Champions, champions, Top Producer AKC Champions
Timeline
Psychotherapist (Remote)
Valera Health
09.2024 - Current
Psychotherapist (Remote)
BetterHelp
12.2019 - 03.2024
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Constellation Health Services
10.2019 - 09.2023
Post-Acute Network of Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Centers
IMPACT MENTAL HEALTH (A National Healthcare Affiliate)
01.2019 - 01.2023
Regional Program Director
NEW ENGLAND GERIATRICS
01.2017 - 01.2019
Vice President of Operations
HARVEST HEALTHCARE
01.2010 - 01.2017
Vice President of Operations
HARVEST HEALTHCARE
12.2009 - 09.2019
Senior Vice President of Operations
MEDOPTIONS, INC.
01.2009 - 01.2010
Sr. Vice President of Operations
MEDOPTIONS, INC.
01.2002 - 01.2010
Vice President of Clinical Services
MEDOPTIONS, INC.
01.2002 - 01.2006
Program Manager
SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER (Behavioral Health)
01.1993 - 01.2002
Master of Science - Social Work
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (in the City of New York)
Bachelor of Arts - Social Services
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY