Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Lauren M. Hajisafari, LCSW

Lavallette

Summary

Dedicated and experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) seeking to transition into the field of behavioral health marketing. With over a decade of hands-on experience in providing therapeutic support and advocacy for diverse patient populations, my background in clinical social work has equipped me with a deep understanding of patient needs, mental health challenges, and the nuances of effective communication in healthcare settings. I possess a unique blend of clinical expertise and strategic thinking, which I am eager to leverage in developing impactful marketing campaigns that promote behavioral health services, improve patient engagement, and drive community outreach. My goal is to utilize my strong analytical skills, empathy, and clinical insights to enhance marketing strategies and contribute to the success of a progressive healthcare organization committed to improving mental health outcomes.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Behavioral Health Care Manager

Centene
03.2023 - Current
  • Authorizes and/or reviews utilization of mental health and substance abuse services provided in various managed care settings.
  • Assures appropriate levels of care and medical necessity in a manner that supports members health and well being.
  • Monitors quality of care and identify placement settings that provide least restrictive environment and promote autonomy for member.
  • Conducts intake assessments, creates Care Plans, provides comprehensive case management services and connects clients and families to appropriate resources and services.
  • Serves as a resource and liaison between the health plan, behavioral providers, facilities, member and families.
  • Develops and maintains collaborative interdisciplinary relationships with providers regarding members current level of functioning and appropriate levels of care in order appropriately to meet clients needs.
  • Interacts with physicians, social workers, providers, case managers, and family members to develop discharge plans and oversee their implementation.

Owner/Primary Therapist

Ride The Wave Counseling
01.2023 - Current
  • Diagnoses and treats a wide array of mental health conditions such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, OCD and ADHD.
  • Conducts biopsychosocial assessments and creates individualized treatment plans that align with the clients symptoms and needs.
  • Utilizes several treatment modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Supportive Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy to assist and support clients in meeting their therapeutic treatment goals.
  • Maintains HIPAA compliant electronic health records, client billing and administrative needs.

Field Liaison

Rutger's University School Of Social Work
08.2021 - Current
  • Mentor's the student’s progress and assists student in navigating their assigned duties and completion of their assignments required for their field requirements.
  • Advises and supports the student and field instructor through the field experience for the duration of the academic year
  • Evaluates student’s performance for the Field Practicum based on completed assignments, agency visits, and evaluation from field instructor.
  • Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment for students.

Off-site Field Instructor

Rutgers University
08.2022 - Current
  • Educates and guides students to develop and learn from their work at their field placement.
  • Encourages students to apply social work theory, standardized knowledge, skills, competency, and applicable ethical practice in their assigned agency.
  • Provides clinical and supportive supervision to students on a weekly basis.
  • Reviews student's process recordings and assists in development of learning contract.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Baker Street Behavioral Health
01.2022 - 01.2023
  • Established and nurtured therapeutic relationships with a broad range of clients suffering from Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Bipolar and Obsessive Compulsive disorders as well as other life stressors
  • Developed and facilitated goal-oriented psycho-education and therapy treatment plans to improve client's quality of life.
  • Directs client-centered, strengths-based, and culturally competent individualized intakes, assessments and weekly therapy sessions
  • Organized and implemented new community outreach programs to address emerging needs related to accessible mental health resources, strategies and interventions.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams of medical professionals, state and legal counsel, as well as educational institutions to make client-focused decisions.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

GenPsych
12.2020 - 04.2022
  • Provided comprehensive case management services, including creating treatment plans and connecting clients and families to appropriate resources.
  • Utilized crisis intervention, problem solving and critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions to benefit patient care.
  • Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
  • Completed intake interviews, psychosocial evaluations, needs and risk assessments, clinical documentation as well as discharge planning.
  • Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Mental Health Therapist

Mind Your Mind
01.2021 - 11.2021
  • Provided ongoing counseling to help patients deal with conditions and processes
  • Updated treatment plans on monthly basis with latest intervention strategies and progress notes.
  • Treated patients with mental health issues and dual-diagnoses such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder.
  • Completed psychosocial evaluations and needs assessments.
  • Managed private practice of 7 clients per week.
  • Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.

Licensed Social Worker

Alaris Health
09.2019 - 12.2020
  • Interviewed individual patients as well as familial supports to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
  • Coordinated individualized discharge plans to manage safe transition back into community and home environments.
  • Participates in quality assurance and utilization review to enhance patient satisfaction.
  • Collaborates as a member of an interdisciplinary team to develop a coordinated care plan for patients.
  • Evaluated medical guidelines, benefit coverage to determine appropriateness of services

FPS Step Down Counselor

Acenda Integrated Health
08.2018 - 09.2019
  • Delivers comprehensive therapeutic services to children, adolescents and adults involved with child welfare and prevention services
  • Instructed individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing and interview skills.
  • Establishes goals to improve parenting and family functioning in order to insure the children's safety, well-being and permanency
  • Secures housing, medical care and employment for clients by working with New Jersey Division of Social Services and Division of Child Protection and Permanency
  • Counsels individuals and families regarding mental health, substance abuse, physical abuse and rehabilitation issues as well as career and job exploration

Social Work Intern

Highlands Elementary School
09.2017 - 05.2018
  • Provided educational support services to students with emotional, intellectual and physical disabilities
  • Supported students, teachers, and families during crisis situations
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams of school psychologists, teachers and administrators to create and implement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
  • Collaborated with teachers, administrators and guardians to determine needs of individual students and provided group and individual counseling to address these needs
  • Completed psychosocial histories of students under evaluation

Social Work Intern

MyGOAL Autism
09.2016 - 05.2017
  • Facilitated family therapy sessions between children, caregivers and siblings of autism, as well as provided resources and assistance to caregivers and family members
  • Advocated on behalf of the clients and family members through advertising and marketing to sponsors, physicians, and government affiliates
  • Organized and facilitated fundraising events in support of children and families affected by autism, such as the first annual MYGOAL Toy Drive
  • Provided outreach services to families in financial and domestic situations, including direct communication with housing and medical programs to meet the families' needs

Education

MBA - Business Administration

William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ
02.2025

Master of Social Work (MSW) - Clinical Social Work

Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ
05.2018

Bachelor of Science - Health Science

Russell Sage College
Troy, NY
05.2016

Associate of Science - Health Science

Stockton College
Pomona
05.2014

Skills

  • Crisis intervention
  • Critical Thinking
  • Detail Oriented
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Biopsychosocial assessments
  • Resourceful and reliable worker
  • Insurance Authorizations
  • Case Management
  • Psychosocial evaluations
  • Mental Health Advocate

Affiliations

Phi Alpha Honor Society, Rutgers University

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

CPR, American Heart Association

NARCAN, Rutgers University

Timeline

Behavioral Health Care Manager

Centene
03.2023 - Current

Owner/Primary Therapist

Ride The Wave Counseling
01.2023 - Current

Off-site Field Instructor

Rutgers University
08.2022 - Current

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Baker Street Behavioral Health
01.2022 - 01.2023

Field Liaison

Rutger's University School Of Social Work
08.2021 - Current

Mental Health Therapist

Mind Your Mind
01.2021 - 11.2021

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

GenPsych
12.2020 - 04.2022

Licensed Social Worker

Alaris Health
09.2019 - 12.2020

FPS Step Down Counselor

Acenda Integrated Health
08.2018 - 09.2019

Social Work Intern

Highlands Elementary School
09.2017 - 05.2018

Social Work Intern

MyGOAL Autism
09.2016 - 05.2017

MBA - Business Administration

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Master of Social Work (MSW) - Clinical Social Work

Rutgers University

Bachelor of Science - Health Science

Russell Sage College

Associate of Science - Health Science

Stockton College

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Lauren M. Hajisafari, LCSW