Natalie Lawson
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, LMHC
New York,United States
Summary
Compassionate Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor driven to improve client lives with high-quality care and support. Ethical professional providing culturally competent and LGBTQ+ affirming care. Gifted listener and communicator with great conflict resolution skills. Extensive knowledge of assessment, treatment planning, counseling techniques, and levels of appropriate care. Previous 6 years experience in providing services to client by in person sessions and telehealth. Focused on driving effective outcomes in individual, group, and couples therapy. Trained in Evidence-based techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. Skills diagnosing clients with behavioral and mental illness in keeping with the DSM-V-TR diagnostic criteria and demonstrated a diverse acceptance and understanding within clientele demographics. Advanced experience in meditation and relaxation techniques. Successful in de-escalation intervention, risk management, and psychiatric crisis with children, adolescents, and adults. Broad experience providing a variety of therapeutic modalities to diverse populations.
- Experience in Mobile Crisis Intervention Referral
- Extreme confidence in assessing and providing high risk clients including safety planning and interventions
- Proficiency in operating both collaboratively in clinic settings and independently in private practice
- A holistic approach that integrates psychoeducation with community and social factors
- Demonstrated reliability and composure in high-volume environments
- 17+ Years customer service experience
- 4.7 Zocdoc overall rating
- 4.9 bedside manner Zocdoc rating
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Mental Health Therapist
Peaceful Way Psychology
05.2022 - Current
- Planned and provided therapeutic care to 20-25 clients using weekly/biweekly individual and couples therapy, employing Evidence- Based modalities such as CBT and ACT
- Culturally competent care providing a healing space that empowers and supports client to meet their therapy goals
- Implemented time management strategies to ensure full caseloads were effectively managed, maintaining high-quality care for all clients.
- Submitted clinical progress notes and records within 24 hours, demonstrating strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Completed comprehensive intake assessments to understand concerns, histories, and develop personalized treatment plans
- Continuously updated professional knowledge through ongoing research, training, and participation in industry conferences and workshops.
- Maintained client confidentiality and adherence to ethical guidelines and practice policies throughout two years of employment
- Coached clients on effective coping strategies, empowering them to manage symptoms independently outside of therapy sessions.
- Wrote monthly blog posts for the community, showcasing expertise and commitment to community outreach
- Produced and conducted a Mental Health webinar attended by 30+ people live, with many more viewing the offline video, highlighting ability to engage and educate the community
- Oversaw the creation of a clinic-wide intranet to provide proper and consistent referrals and on- demand digital resources, demonstrating leadership skills
- Assessed proper care level and therapeutic placement in phone consultations, ensuring appropriate client care
- Facilitated feedback to the administrative team on client scheduling escalations and provided framework for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to standardize scheduling and escalation practices within the company, showcasing initiative and problem-solving skills
- Improved communication within the overall company by facilitating consistent meetings, contributing to a more cohesive work environment
- Demonstrated profound skills and comfortability with technology including scheduling, online documentation, online calendar, Google Meet, and Zoom
Psychotherapist
Bethany Medical Clinic
2019 - 2021
- Established case load of 70+ clients with high retention rate
- Curated Resource Library and Referral System for Psychology Department
- Deployed implementation company policies and procedures including panic button safety practice, intake template, consent form, risk management, telehealth billing procedures
- Featured in Blogs, Social Media, and published articles including PSAs produced for Mental Health Issues during Covid-19 global crisis impact (Listed in Publication).
- Implemented department chat feature for multi-disciplined team
- Consulted with medical doctors to streamline treatment plans and client experience
- Executed additional office roles during Covid-19 global pandemic: administration tasks, screening intakes and gathering initial paperwork, appointment follow up, referral systems, insurance verification, billing code changes
- Actively participated in weekly supervision
- Proficient MD Land for progress notes, billing, insurance and procedure coding
Hotline Counselor
NYC Well
01.2018 - 06.2019
- NYC Well is operated by Vibrant Emotional Health on behalf of NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- Administered clinical evaluation and various mental health assessments via high volume of telephone, online chat, and text messaging averaging 20 sessions daily
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans and referred clients and families to appropriate resources
- Collaborated with client to determine appropriate level of care, intervention, advocacy, legal and resource needs
- Worked with diverse population of clientele included minors, immigrants, co-occurring illness, chronic pain, psychosis, and mandated clients
- Facilitated smooth inter-agency coordination between NYC Well and network Partners
- Provided suicide prevention, trauma, and crisis counseling while maintaining safe and confidential space for high-risk clients
- Assessed and properly documented abuse and neglect allegations
- Participated supervision and case conceptualizations
- Maintained high monthly Quality Improvement scores
Mental Health Counselor
Queens Psych Therapy
08.2017 - 03.2019
- Used advanced counseling skills and evidence-based practices to establish intake, goals, and treatment plans with culturally diverse population
- Incorporated Mindfulness and Guided Meditation
- Conducted bariatric assessment and provided evaluation documentation to referral source
- Developed treatment plans and level of care for each client based on evaluation, client needs and personalized lifestyle
- Completed progress notes for client records in timely manner
- Provided safe therapeutic environment to adults, couples, family, and adolescent clients
- Assisted in proper admission, provision of care, termination and transfer of clients
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Washington DC 05.2019 - 07.2019
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health
Argosy University
Washington, DC 09.2014 - 03.2019
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Radford University
Radford, VA 08.2010 - 06.2014
Skills
Mental Health First Aid Training sponsored by National Council For Community Behavioral Healthcare (2018)
Biopsychosocial Assessment and Documentation
Integrated healthcare models
High case load retention with successful rapport building
Highest Commitment to Self-Care
Effectively and Efficiently Manages Projects Independently
Advanced Knowledge in Microsoft and Apple software
Culturally Sensitive and Competent
Trained in MD Land Software and Theranest
Trained in Meditation, CBT, and Mindfulness
Advanced Training in Scholar-Citizen: Emerging Leadership and Women's Studies
Mind, Body, & Medicine Coursework
Mandated Reporter Training sponsored by New York State Office of Children and Family Services (2018)
Publications and Research Experience
Articles Featured in:
https://www.peacefulwaypsychology.com/author/nataliedinkins/
http://www.bmcofny.com/the-harms-of-toxic-positivity/
https://dailynurse.com/keeping-calm-in-the-uncertain-times/
Undergraduate Research:
Dinkins, N. (2014). TRANS: Transgender Negativity Scale. Presented Radford University.
Dinkins, N. (2011). Empathy and Religiosity. Radford University.
Advocacy and Outreach
2021 New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 3C (Covid-19 Community Conversations: Mental Health, Equity, and Resilience Training)
2013 Fairfax County Office for Women & Domestic and Sexual Violence
Timeline
Clinical Mental Health Therapist
Peaceful Way Psychology
05.2022 - Current
Psychotherapist
Bethany Medical Clinic
2019 - 2021
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
05.2019 - 07.2019
Hotline Counselor
NYC Well
01.2018 - 06.2019
Mental Health Counselor
Queens Psych Therapy
08.2017 - 03.2019
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health
Argosy University
09.2014 - 03.2019
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Radford University
08.2010 - 06.2014