Client-centered professional polished in identifying potential disorders in clients and developing successful treatment plans and therapeutic processes. Accommodating and warm individual possessing strong observational skills and in-depth understanding of mental health concerns and substance use disorders.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Therapist/Utilization Review
West Michigan Harbor Light
05.2023 - 04.2025
Developed and implemented treatment plans addressing mental health concerns, substance use disorders, stages of change, unhealthy patterns of behavior and other psychosocial issues.
Maintain case records in accordance with Harbor Light standards and follow up to determine reliability and validity of individual client treatment plan
Complete discharge documentation on each client to include aftercare plan
Built strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and open communication for effective therapy sessions.
Established clear boundaries with clients, maintaining ethical practice standards while preserving the therapeutic relationship.
Evaluated medical guidelines and benefit coverage to determine appropriateness of services.
Performed authorization review of services requiring notification.
Access Center Clinician
Newaygo County Mental Health
01.2020 - 05.2023
Duties include providing a wide array of services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and/or developmental disabilities
Screening, prioritization, and intake of clients seeking services at the agency
Other duties include screening for psychiatric inpatient placement, the completion of petitions and other necessary paperwork to facilitate admission, length of stay reviews, and service authorizations
Position also provides for utilization of motivational interviewing and crisis intervention skills
In addition, this staff monitored and tracked county probate court mental health orders and deferrals for individuals that do not receive CMH services or received only intermediate care services within the agency ( outpatient therapy)
ACT Therapist/ Intake Specialist
Interact of Michigan
10.2013 - 12.2020
Duties included the provision of direct services to individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness on several integrated dual diagnosis ACT teams
It also provided for the creation of a new position responsible for completing all agency intakes and producing initial psychosocial assessments
Necessary skills included counseling techniques, assessment and referral, and coordination of care with probation/parole officers, prisoner re-entry staff, and NGRI personnel
Other duties included providing crisis intervention during and after normal business hours including assessments for inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations
Position also provided for training in and practical experience running co-occurring groups.
Medication Assisted Treatment Program Therapist
Cherry Street Health Services - Southside Health Center
09.2012 - 10.2013
Duties included outpatient therapy/counseling to individuals with opioid dependence on agonist therapy (methadone/suboxone)
Necessary skills included use of various therapeutic techniques including CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and DBT
It also required group facilitation of Woman's DBT Skills Group and Psychoeducational Group.
Provided crisis intervention to support clients during times of urgent need.
Helped clients work through emotional and psychological issues in both individual and group therapy sessions.
Substance Use Specialist
Cherry Street Health
10.2011 - 09.2012
Duties included provision of direct services to individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness, substance use disorder, and chronic homelessness on an integrated dual diagnosis treatment team
Necessary skills included therapy, outreach interventions, inpatient assessments, and crisis intervention
Position also provided for the creation of substance use group curriculum and facilitation of group therapy.
Case Manager
Touchstone Innovare
04.2004 - 10.2011
Duties included providing direct services to individual with a severe and persistent mental illness on both traditional case management teams and integrated assertive community treatment teams
Assessed community needs and identified resources for social and community service programs.
Necessary skills included counseling techniques, assessments, and coordination of care with outside resources
Position also provided for training in and practical experience running family psychoeducation groups as well as obtaining supervision hours to become a fully licensed MSW.
Assisted clients in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
Education
MSW -
Western Michigan University
Grand Rapids, MI Campus
06.2004
Bachelor's Degree - Criminal Justice/Psychology
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI
08.1998
Skills
One-on-one support
Documentation requirements
One-on-one sessions
Group therapy facilitation
Service referral coordination
Group therapy coordination
Crisis intervention
Treatment Planning
Progress assessment
Motivational interviewing
Patient documentation
Client confidentiality
Diagnostic evaluation
Disorder diagnosis
Timeline
Therapist/Utilization Review
West Michigan Harbor Light
05.2023 - 04.2025
Access Center Clinician
Newaygo County Mental Health
01.2020 - 05.2023
ACT Therapist/ Intake Specialist
Interact of Michigan
10.2013 - 12.2020
Medication Assisted Treatment Program Therapist
Cherry Street Health Services - Southside Health Center