Melissa Austin
Minneapolis,KS
Summary
Organized and detail orientated with more than four years of post high school education and work experience meeting deadlines and commitments. Deadline orientated and goal driven with current experience as a manager. Previous responsibilities for maintaining and delivering confidential court records. Written and verbal communication strengths with investigative qualities. Have worked with troubled youth and run youth groups.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Protection Specialist
Department for Children and Families
Salina, KS
11.2025 - Current
- Conduct thorough assessments to identify child protection needs and develop intervention plans.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to address complex cases involving vulnerable children.
- Provide trauma-informed support to children and families navigating crisis situations.
- Fostered trust with clients by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competence during interactions with diverse populations.
- Increased efficiency in case management through diligent organization, documentation, and timely follow-up on assigned cases.
Clinician
All About You Therapy Services
Washington, UT
01.2024 - 11.2025
- Client-centered counseling tailored to client's own experiences. Women, men's, teen, children, couple and trauma therapy.
- Conduct regular assessments to evaluate client progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
- Provided crisis intervention services during emergencies, deescalating situations and connecting individuals with appropriate resources for ongoing support.
- Developed individualized goal-setting tools to empower patients in taking ownership of their progress towards improved mental health.
- Built rapport with diverse client populations, utilizing empathetic listening skills and culturally sensitive therapeutic practices.
Clinican
Sunrise RTC
Saint George, UT
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Working with at risk teen girls in a RTC setting. Provide individual and family therapy weekly run therapeutic group therapy.
- Facilitated crisis intervention sessions, providing immediate support and resources for clients in distress.**
- Conducted family therapy sessions, enhancing communication skills among family members to promote healing and understanding.**
- Maintained confidentiality and adherence to ethical standards in compliance with HIPAA regulations during all client interactions.**
Clinician
Valley Behavioral Health
Saint George, UT
08.2022 - 01.2023
- Guided clients through recovery processes by developing personalized treatment plans based on thorough assessments.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions that encouraged peer support and shared experiences among participants in recovery.
- Implemented crisis intervention strategies, effectively deescalating high-stress situations and connecting clients to essential resources.
- Evaluated client progress regularly, adjusting treatment approaches to align with evolving goals and challenges faced.
- Delivered comprehensive substance abuse counseling tailored to individual client needs, fostering trust and engagement.
Counselor
Sage Circle Counseling
07.2021 - 01.2022
- Clinical internship
- Maintained accurate clinical documentation, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations and organizational protocols.
- Utilized evidence-based practices during therapy sessions, fostering an environment conducive to client growth and recovery.
- Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
- Guided clients in development of personal goals and strategies for achieving them.
Crisis Team Member/Family Resource Facilitor
Southwest Behavior Center
Saint George, UT
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Facilitated meetings with parents and children to write up family behavior plans
- Assisted parents in continually implementing behavior plans
- Respond to crisis calls with the crisis team
- Documentation of all crisis calls
- Offer wrap around services for families in need
- Peer support for clients who need help accessing resources
- Delivered crisis intervention strategies that prioritized safety while connecting clients with essential community resources.
- Advocated for clients' needs within the community, strengthening connections to vital wraparound services available locally.
Group Leader
Three Points Center
LaVerkin, UT
11.2014 - 11.2015
- Provide support and monitoring for suicidal females in the facility
- Inserting notes of shifts activities between staff and students.
- Currently work with at-risk adopted youth 12 years of age or older
- Group leader in a positive peer culture environment. Help girls run groups when problems arise to help them learn to solve their own problems.
- Help girls in crisis situations and keep the group calm.
Education
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counslor
Capella University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Dixie State University
Saint George, UT01-2014
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Dixie State University
Saint George, UT01-2012
Skills
- Case management
- Clinical documentation
- Therapeutic interventions
- Community resources
- Mental health evaluations
- Patient advocacy
- Psychotherapy techniques
- Multicultural competence
- Case documentation
- Child and adolescent counseling
- Care plan development
- Case files maintenance
- Discharge planning
Timeline
Child Protection Specialist
Department for Children and Families
11.2025 - Current
Clinician
All About You Therapy Services
01.2024 - 11.2025
Clinican
Sunrise RTC
01.2023 - 12.2023
Clinician
Valley Behavioral Health
08.2022 - 01.2023
Counselor
Sage Circle Counseling
07.2021 - 01.2022
Crisis Team Member/Family Resource Facilitor
Southwest Behavior Center
01.2016 - 01.2018
Group Leader
Three Points Center
11.2014 - 11.2015
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Dixie State University
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counslor
Capella University
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Dixie State University