Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Volunteer
Mary Kerr

Mary Kerr

Substance Use & Mental Health Counselor
Fall River,MA

Summary

  • I am caring, empathetic and patient Addiction Counselor with 20+ years of exceptional experience in helping people rediscovering themselves from disability, at risk situations, mental health and substance using disorder problems to improving the quality of their lifestyles. I have excellent interpersonal communication skills and prioritize building rapport with clients and clinical staff from a diverse background with the goal to develop, promote, implement and encourage growth beneficial to the recovery of clients struggling with substance using disorder and other underlying factor that have influenced their situations. My vision is to help restore/maintain the dignity of people experiencing substance abuse problem to overcome their addiction and become productive members of society. I am of the conviction that everyone should be given the opportunity for recovery/growth and in the process be treated with respected and dignity regardless of his/her situation. I feel positively challenged and honored to work in this environment because I have the passion for it.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Patient Care Taker

Private Service
Middleboro, MA
01.2013 - Current


  • Answer patient assistance calls, assessed needs, and offered qualified support.
  • Assist with feeding and monitoring intake to help patient achieve nutritional objectives.
  • Monitor, track, and convey important patient information to healthcare staff to help optimize treatment planning and care delivery.
  • Maintain clean and safe environment to promote patient safety and comfort.
  • Assist clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
  • Record status and duties completed in logbooks
  • Cook meals and assist patient with eating tasks to support healthy nutrition.
  • Built and maintained rapport with clients and family members to facilitate trusting caregiver relationship.
  • Maintain entire family's schedule and organized events.
  • Schedule daily and weekly care hours for client caseload.
  • Complete regular check-ins and progress reports.
  • Entrusted to handle confidential and sensitive situations in professional matter.
  • Provide compassionate and patient-focused care to cultivate well-being.

Recovery Specialist

Recovering Champions
East Falmouth, MA
02.2020 - 03.2023


  • Documented behavioral issues and incidents; maintain and secure a safe environment.
  • Provided group problem solving and crisis intervention.
  • Encouraged and promoted cleanliness and positive hygiene practices.
  • Supported clients with program adaptation and recreation and actives participation.
  • Reported and recorded observable changes in patient behavior, attitude, and physical condition.
  • Assisted with clients rehabilitation, socialization, and behavior modification programs.
  • Assisted clients in self-help skills and social behavior based on the level of individual patient functioning.
  • Initiated and participated in group and individual patient activities.
  • Participated in specialized programs such as adjunctive therapies and established rapport with clients.
  • Supported clients with compassionate, empathetic face-to-face counseling.
  • Maintained client confidentiality and adhered to HIPAA guidelines.
  • Administered random toxicity and breathalyzer tests to assess adherence to recovery plans.
  • Tracked client participation in treatment services to identify attendance issues.
  • Assessed patient behavior, moods, and other responses to determine correct diagnosis and devise treatment plans.
  • Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
  • Assisted clients in exploring feelings and understanding behaviors.
  • Supported individuals dealing with mental health and emotional issues.
  • Assessed clients' needs to provide appropriate therapeutic interventions.
  • Listened to clients' concerns and provided encouragement and support.
  • Educated clients on dangers of substance abuse and prevention techniques.
  • Designed safe and supportive environment for clients to discuss issues.
  • Provided emergency response in crisis situations to diffuse tensions and prevent violence.
  • Provided education on mental health topics and resources to clients.


Family Services Worker

South Bay Mental Health Center
Plymouth, MA
04.2016 - 01.2020
  • Provided mental health supervision to clients in home settings, documented behavioral issues and incidents; maintain and secure a safe environment.
  • Prepared clients' daily progress report for management’s reference.
  • Monitored and managed life skills, group problem solving/counseling and crisis intervention.
  • Assisted with setting up clients' medical and mental health appoints and accompanied clients for appointments.
  • Provided support to residents for daily living and recreational activities and medication management within the guidelines of the resident’s individual service/treatment plan (IS/TP).
  • Planned and supported clients with community adaptation and actives participation.
  • Managed clients’ finances to make sure good judgment was made in spending and retained a balance account.
  • Assisted disabled clients to support independence and well-being.
  • Maintained clean, safe and well-organized patient environment.
  • Led patient or group recreational activities for enhanced patient outcomes.
  • Minimized injuries to staff or patients through support or restraint to control patient movements.
  • Monitored clients' overall health and well-being and noted significant changes.
  • Recorded status and duties completed in logbooks for management.
  • Provided compassionate and patient-focused care to cultivate well-being.
  • Assisted patients with bathing, grooming, dressing and oral hygiene care both in private residences and facilities.
  • Built and maintained rapport with clients and family members to facilitate trusting caregiver relationship.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and prevent family conflict.
  • Worked with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
  • Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
  • Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
  • Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
  • Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
  • Developed and implemented programs to support children's mental health and well-being.
  • Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
  • Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
  • Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
  • Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
  • Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
  • Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
  • Lead individualized and group counseling sessions with children and families.
  • Conducted outreach to families and other community partners to identify ways to address social, emotional and behavioral needs.
  • Facilitated groups to address specific needs such as grief and loss, anger management and social skills.

Clinical Case Manager

HighPoint Associates
Taunton, MA
03.2013 - 03.2016
  • Provided supervision to At risk/foster kids in home/clinical environment, documented behavioral issues and incidents; maintain and secure a safe environment.
  • Prepared clients’ daily progress report for management’s reference.
  • Monitored and managed life skills, group problem solving/counseling and crisis intervention.
  • Made school run to pick up clients from school and to gather information regarding behavioral issues at school; documented on file for client/s involved; provided intervention to circumvent reoccurrence of said behavior/s.
  • Documented inappropriate behavior/s and incident report and notified concerned parties ( state, parent/s, social workers, supervisor and other parties within management at the upper level.
  • Planned and supported clients with community adaptation and recreational actives participation.
  • Performed other tasks necessary for management growth.
  • Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists, and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
  • Participated in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings.
  • Assisted with outreach and engagement services to engage clients and maintain working relationships.
  • Complied with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
  • Participated as member of multi-disciplinary team providing on-going case management services to adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
  • Provided crisis intervention and risk assessments.
  • Identified care needs of individual patients and coordinated responses based on physician advice, insurance limitations, and procedural costs.
  • Provided education on health and nutrition for patients to maintain healthy habits and wellbeing.
  • Assisted clients in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
  • Monitored clients' progress and tracked client services to provide crisis interventions.
  • Developed comprehensive discharge plans to transition clients to appropriate service providers in community.
  • Developed and implemented safety plans for clients at risk of harm to provide protection.
  • Facilitated individual and group sessions to promote positive behavior change for clients.
  • Provided evidence-based therapeutic interventions and crisis management to clients to lessen negative on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
  • Evaluated treatment plans against individual goals and healthcare standards.
  • Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
  • Utilized trauma-informed approach to promote healing and empowerment for clients.

Mental Health Counselor

Community Counseling Of Bristol County
Taunton, MA
07.2009 - 03.2012
  • Led counseling group to discuss topics such as eating disorders and relationship issues.
  • Used advanced counseling skills and evidence-based practices to establish goals and treatment plans with patients.
  • Ran outpatient clinic serving adult, geriatric, child and adolescent patients.
  • Provided therapeutic activities to children in in-patient hospital setting to support emotional expression and build connection.
  • Trained in substance abuse, co-occurring disorders and effects of employment and housing issues on mental health.
  • Facilitated smooth discharge by encouraging and reassuring clients throughout transitions.
  • Employed methodologies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to assist patients.
  • Implemented and developed core counseling programs to meet each individual's specific and varying needs.
  • Presented case history material to review and discuss with other staff members.
  • Supported clients by representing needs and advocating for patient rights in healthcare, legal and community-based settings.
  • Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
  • Supervised busy caseload, managing clients, balancing workload and prioritizing client needs.
  • Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy.
  • Consulted with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by team leader.
  • Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
  • Stayed current on mental health research to follow new developments and research in mental health field.
  • Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
  • Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
  • Encouraged patients to discuss experiences in group and individual settings.
  • Conducted crisis interventions to respond to clients in crisis, assess immediate needs and provide support and resources.
  • Prepared reports to summarize clients' mental health status and treatment progress.
  • Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
  • Assessed mental health needs to determine nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral or mental health issues.
  • Attended trainings to participate in regular supervision and continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards.
  • Provided referrals to connect clients with other community resources to support mental health and well-being.
  • Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
  • Documented clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status.
  • Completed one-on-one counseling with broad range of clients suffering from various diseases and issues.

Mental Health Counselor

Community Care Service
Taunton, MA
04.2005 - 07.2009
  • Used advanced counseling skills and evidence-based practices to establish goals and treatment plans with patients.
  • Led counseling group to discuss topics such as eating disorders and relationship issues.
  • Provided therapeutic activities to children in in-patient hospital setting to support emotional expression and build connection.
  • Facilitated smooth discharge by encouraging and reassuring clients throughout transitions.
  • Documented psychiatric services and responses to treatment in patient case files.
  • Improved outcomes of patients with psychiatric and co-morbid chronic pain conditions.
  • Ran outpatient clinic serving adult, geriatric, child and adolescent patients.
  • Implemented and developed core counseling programs to meet each individual's specific and varying needs.
  • Trained in substance abuse, co-occurring disorders and effects of employment and housing issues on mental health.
  • Consulted with and trained highly skilled mental health and medical staff.
  • Presented case history material to review and discuss with other staff members.
  • Conducted crisis interventions to respond to clients in crisis, assess immediate needs and provide support and resources.
  • Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
  • Provided referrals to connect clients with other community resources to support mental health and well-being.
  • Consulted with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by team leader.
  • Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
  • Assessed mental health needs to determine nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral or mental health issues.
  • Documented clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status.
  • Stayed current on mental health research to follow new developments and research in mental health field.
  • Prepared reports to summarize clients' mental health status and treatment progress.
  • Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy.
  • Encouraged patients to discuss experiences in group and individual settings.

Education

No Degree - Psychology

Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA
09.2003 - Current

Diploma - General Studies

Abington High School
Abington, MA
06.2002

Skills

  • Treatment planning
  • Individual/motivational counseling
  • Cultural awareness
  • Clinical Intervention
  • Teamwork
  • Conflict communication/resolution
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Supervision
  • Case management
  • Mental health and substance abuse support
  • Learning disability awareness
  • Multitasking abilities
  • Flexible & Adaptable
  • Clinical Documentation
  • Critical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Goal Setting
  • Clinical assessment
  • Providing community referrals
  • Individual counseling
  • Specimen testing
  • MS Office
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Planning and Coordination
  • Data Entry
  • Flexible and Adaptable
  • Teambuilding
  • Decision-Making

Certification

  • First Aid/CPR Certified
  • MAP Certified
  • CPI Training

Timeline

Recovery Specialist

Recovering Champions
02.2020 - 03.2023

Family Services Worker

South Bay Mental Health Center
04.2016 - 01.2020

Clinical Case Manager

HighPoint Associates
03.2013 - 03.2016

Patient Care Taker

Private Service
01.2013 - Current

Mental Health Counselor

Community Counseling Of Bristol County
07.2009 - 03.2012

Mental Health Counselor

Community Care Service
04.2005 - 07.2009

No Degree - Psychology

Massasoit Community College
09.2003 - Current

Diploma - General Studies

Abington High School

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Mary KerrSubstance Use & Mental Health Counselor