Linda Casson
Natchitoches,LA
Summary
Compassionate Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with diverse populations to support mental health and wellness. Well-verse in applying combination of holistic and cognitive approaches to facilitate healing. Organized and educated in program administration for high-risk populations.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health Provider
Reflections: Outpatient Behavioral Therapy
Natchitoches, Louisiana
11.2023 - Current
- Developed therapeutic relationships with clients and their families to ensure effective communication.
- Coordinated with external agencies regarding collaborative programming initiatives aimed at addressing mental illness.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions based on best practices in the field of mental health counseling.
- Collaborated with other healthcare providers to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
Licensed Master Social Worker, LMSW (volunteer)
Women's Resource Center Of Natchitoches
Natchitoches, LA
10.2021 - Current
- Empowered women to tackle challenging situations with better and more diverse coping skills.
- Performed counseling interventions to address issues through conflict resolution and situational adjustment to depression, anxiety and physical or substance abuse.
- Provides clients with referrals to community resources such as OB/GYN, WIC, Housing, Medicaid, Childcare,
- Provide support and empathy to pregnant women and their small children. Domestic violence advocate.
Sales Associate
Walmart
Natchitoches, LA
11.2007 - Current
- Helped customers find specific products, answered questions and offered product advice.
- Operated cash register, collected payments and provided accurate change.
- Built trusting relationships with customers by making personal connections.
- Adhered to company initiatives and achieved established goals.
- Answered incoming telephone calls to provide store, products and services information.
Substitute Teacher
Natchitoches Parish School Board
Natchitoches, LA
01.2007 - Current
- Maintained student attendance and assignment records to prevent lapses during teacher absences.
- Implemented lesson plans assigned by classroom teacher to educate students about key concepts.
- Enforced classroom routines to keep students on schedule and operating at consistent level.
- Established and enforced rules for behavior and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Provided notes and reports on school day activities to primary teacher.
MHP/Behavioral Health Professional
Many Rehab Services of NW La
Natchitoches, LA
07.2019 - 09.2019
- Assessed and evaluated client needs to deliver appropriate level of care in treatment continuum.
- Conducted crisis intervention, individual sessions and group counseling while monitoring and enhancing treatment progress.
- Attended insightful in-service training, workshops, seminars and other learning experiences to develop and maintain professional and clinical skills.
- Maintained and completed required documentation and reports to comply with clinical programming.
- Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis, treatment and disease management, equipping them with tools to achieve and maintain optimal psychiatric and mental health.
MHP/MHP/Behavioral Health Professional
Joy Impact Counseling Services
Natchitoches, LA
01.2019 - 06.2019
- Conducted IOP, crisis intervention, individual sessions while monitoring and enhancing treatment progress.
- Attended insightful in-service training, workshops, seminars and other learning experiences to develop and maintain professional and clinical skills.
- Assessed and evaluated client needs to deliver appropriate level of care in treatment continuum.
- Maintained and completed required documentation and reports to comply with clinical programming.
- Responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and behavioral issues arose.
CASA Volunteer
CASA
Natchitoches, LA
09.2017 - 02.2018
- Advocated for neglected and abused children
- Attended training and meetings to learn how to deliver and maintain accurate service to children.
- Attended court hearings with staff and children to gain experience and knowledge
Master of Social Work Intern
Natchitoches Parish Hospital / Reflections Program
Natchitoches, LA
01.2009 - 05.2009
- Maintained thorough case history records and wrote detailed reports.
- Maintained confidential case documentation.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team of mental health case managers and disability workers.
- Maintained lists of resources helpful to clients.
Social Work Intern
Natchitoches Parish Headstart
Natchitoches, LA
01.2007 - 05.2007
- Maintained client best interest and safety by mediating family conflict under facility supervision.
- Offered community resources and referrals to support client basic needs.
- Liaised with Social Workers to complete home evaluations and wellness visits.
- Administered conflict resolution strategies to help families resolve disputes.
Social Worker Intern
Natchitoches Parish Office of Community Services
Natchitoches, LA
01.2007 - 05.2007
- Directly provided and maintained community lists of resources helpful to clients.
- Conducted client interviews to gather information and update case records.
- Facilitated an awareness of social needs in community via community outreach strategies.
CNA
Natchitoches Parish Hospital/ Nursing Home
Natchitoches, LA
01.2000 - 05.2006
- Transported clients to local and out of town doctor's visit and to dialysis treatments
- Paraprofessional at local high school and elementary classes to handicapped students
- Assisted patients with shaving, bathing and oral hygiene to promote healthy habits and overall wellness.
- Exhibited compassionate care and communication regarding issues surrounding death and dying.
- Documented activities and recorded information in EMR system.
Education
Master of Science - Master of Social Work
Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX08.2011
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA05.2007
Skills
- Building Positive Rapport
- Risk Assessment
- Client Advocacy
- Cultural Competence
- Developing relationships
- Motivational Interviewing
Timeline
Mental Health Provider
Reflections: Outpatient Behavioral Therapy
11.2023 - Current
Licensed Master Social Worker, LMSW (volunteer)
Women's Resource Center Of Natchitoches
10.2021 - Current
MHP/Behavioral Health Professional
Many Rehab Services of NW La
07.2019 - 09.2019
MHP/MHP/Behavioral Health Professional
Joy Impact Counseling Services
01.2019 - 06.2019
CASA Volunteer
CASA
09.2017 - 02.2018
Master of Social Work Intern
Natchitoches Parish Hospital / Reflections Program
01.2009 - 05.2009
Sales Associate
Walmart
11.2007 - Current
Substitute Teacher
Natchitoches Parish School Board
01.2007 - Current
Social Work Intern
Natchitoches Parish Headstart
01.2007 - 05.2007
Social Worker Intern
Natchitoches Parish Office of Community Services
01.2007 - 05.2007
CNA
Natchitoches Parish Hospital/ Nursing Home
01.2000 - 05.2006
Master of Science - Master of Social Work
Stephen F Austin State University
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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