Melissa Sanders-DeVillier
Huntsville,TX
Summary
Outcomes-oriented Clinical Supervisor offering 10 years of clinical mental health experience to a growing team. Adept in case management, clinical oversight and staff training. Proficient in conducting data analysis to close gaps and improve outcomes. Excellent leadership skills with strong intuition and sound judgment. Commended for intense focus and work ethic with an aptitude for developing and implementing creative clinical interventions.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
Piney Woods Counseling & Behavioral Center
11.2021 - Current
- Oversee group of diverse clinicians trained in numerous therapeutic modalities.
- Completed staff performance evaluations, recommending improvements and recognizing success through reward systems and feedback.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Developed and maintained relationships with parents and community agencies, supporting targeted and holistic counseling services through interdisciplinary partnerships.
- Work closely with nonprofit agencies to provide counseling services for veterans and vulnerable populations who have experienced trauma.
- Negotiate new annual contracts and service agreements with local school districts.
- Outsources counseling services for local entities.
- Provide individual and family counseling.
Counselor-Intern Supervisor
Piney Woods Counseling & Behavioral Center
01.2018 - Current
- Provided weekly supervisor for counselor interns.
- Evaluate intern's performance and provide feedback on counseling skills.
- Discuss client cases with student intern and provide clinical direction as needed.
- Monitored case notes, treatment plans, and daily clinical responsibilities.
- Collaborate with local universities and department leaders to ensure quality supervision and clinical training for all counseling interns.
- Communicate closely with other counselors to devise programs and activities based on developmental and academic levels.
- Collaborated with interns and assist with implementing evidence-based therapeutic interventions to promote positive behavior change.
Clinical Director – Counselor
Rise Counseling and Wellness
05.2018 - 11.2021
- Oversaw business budget planning and administration, accounting functions, and payroll to handle financial needs.
- Created and maintained community relations and referral sources
- Provided clinical supervision and oversight to team of 8 clinicians
- Helped write and assemble proposals to foundations, corporate funders and government agencies.
- Provide individual, group, and family counseling to clients
- Work with local child Advocacy Centers to provide Trauma-Focused CBT to children experiencing physical and sexual abuse
- Participate in monthly multi-disciplinary team meetings with CAC, CPS, law enforcement, and district attorney to prepare child abuse cases for prosecution
- Provide testimony in criminal and civil suits in cases regarding child abuse as needed.
Coordinator
Tri County Behavioral Healthcare, Outpatient Crisis Services
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Supervised a group of qualified mental health professionals who traveled throughout the community conducting crisis assessments
- Supervised and assisted clinicians with daily activities within a psychiatric hospital
- Coordinated inpatient services for individuals who met criteria for hospitalization
- Formulated diagnostic impressions for individuals receiving outpatient services
- Kept abreast of new and developing research in the mental health field.
Clinical Supervisor
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Provided supervision for 8 mental health professionals assisting in crisis intervention services.
- Provide written and verbal feedback for clinical recommendations.
- Presentations
- ASK suicide intervention and prevention training
- Provided suicide intervention and prevention training for individuals in mental health field.
- Provided suicide intervention and prevention training to masters level students in practicum class.
- Safe Dating
- Presented on intimate partner violence to adolescence in school setting.
Rural Counties Counselor
Saafe House
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Conducted individual and family therapy sessions for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
- Traveled between three counties and provided counseling services for children and teen in the school setting
- Assisted clients with completing legal documents and protective orders
- Collaborated with local law enforcement, attorneys, Child Protective Services, and child advocacy centers to ensure client needs were being met.
Counselor- Student Intern
Gibbs Elementary School
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Provided play therapy to children attending pre-kindergarten
- Integrated Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics into play therapy sessions with children identified as victims of childhood trauma
- Facilitated Child Parent Relationship Training groups with parents of students.
Counselor- Student Intern
Jack Staggs Clinic
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Provided individual counseling, group counseling and play therapy to individuals within community.
- Provided group counseling to at-risk adolescents enrolled in alternative high school.
- Research Experience
- Conducted extensive research on childhood trauma with emphasis on child mental health needs in rural areas.
- Focused on evidence-based treatment including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy for treating children and adults who have been exposed to trauma.
Education
Ph.D. - Leadership, Counselor Education & Supervision
University of The Cumberlands
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Sam Houston State University
08.2015
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Sam Houston State University
05.2012
Skills
- Clinical Supervision
- Robust Clinical Skills
- Patient Screening
- Suicide Risk Assessments
- Case Management
- Public Speaking Events
- Exemplary Communication Skills
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Developing Training Programs
- Improving Clinical Quality Outcomes
- Contract Management
- Business Administration
Certification
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
EMDR
Suicide Intervention Trainer
Trauma Informed Care / TF-CBT
Affiliations
Healing Wings for Warriors, Secretary Board Member-(2023-Current),Texas Counselors Association (2012- 2020) American Psychological Association, Student Associate (2012-2015) Community Service Crime Stoppers, Ancillary Board Member (2018-2021) Assist with fundraising projects. Assist with implementing bullying prevention program within the school system. Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) (2012-2014)
Timeline
Executive Director
Piney Woods Counseling & Behavioral Center
11.2021 - Current
Clinical Director – Counselor
Rise Counseling and Wellness
05.2018 - 11.2021
Counselor-Intern Supervisor
Piney Woods Counseling & Behavioral Center
01.2018 - Current
Coordinator
Tri County Behavioral Healthcare, Outpatient Crisis Services
01.2016 - 01.2018
Clinical Supervisor
01.2016 - 01.2018
Rural Counties Counselor
Saafe House
01.2015 - 01.2016
Counselor- Student Intern
Gibbs Elementary School
01.2013 - 01.2014
Counselor- Student Intern
Jack Staggs Clinic
01.2012 - 01.2013
Ph.D. - Leadership, Counselor Education & Supervision
University of The Cumberlands
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Sam Houston State University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Sam Houston State University
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
EMDR
Suicide Intervention Trainer
Trauma Informed Care / TF-CBT
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