Nishant Prakash
Santa Barbara,CA
Summary
Dynamic School-Based Social Worker with extensive experience at Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County, specializing in individual therapy and crisis intervention. Proven ability to coordinate care and implement evidence-based practices, demonstrating strong multicultural competence and effective risk assessments to support diverse student populations.
BBS Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker - #136918
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
School-Based Social Worker
Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara, CA
08.2024 - Current
- Delivered individual therapy and case management services to high school students aged 14-19 across two campuses, enhancing student well-being.
- Managed a caseload of 15-25 clinical and case management clients, ensuring timely support and resources for each student.
- Coordinated client care and support by collaborating with Dean, school administration, academic counselors, and interventionists.
- Provided crisis support and intervention in conjunction with school staff.
- Conducted clinical assessments of recommended students.
- Participated in multiple trainings and inservices
- Actively engaged with regular clinical supervisions, individual and group.
School-Based Counselor - MSW Intern
Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County
Santa Maria, CA
01.2024 - 06.2024
- Delivered individual and family therapy services to students (ages 5-12) in an elementary school, enhancing emotional well-being and academic engagement.
- Provided crisis intervention support for enrolled clients.
- Collaborated with school administration and behavioral health team to assess, determine, and coordinate care.
- Assessed client and client family needs across multiple domains.
- Coordinated comprehensive wrap-around support services for families, addressing diverse needs to promote student success.
- Participated in agency in-services on anxiety, trauma, and culturally competent care to enhance therapeutic approaches and support for clients.
- Conducted Sessions utilizing both Spanish and Mixteco interpreters.
- Coordinated scheduling of interpretation for sessions in both Spanish and Mixteco.
- Participated in clinical supervision two (2) hours per week with FSA Supervisor and one (1) hour per week with Rutgers field supervisor.
Research Contractor
Caraway Software Inc.
Saratoga, CA
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Interviewed clinicians (psychologists, social workers, therapists) to gather insights on clinically relevant digital biodata, informing portal features.
- Reviewed literature on current therapeutic strategies and psychological biomarker technologies to inform project direction.
- Consulted on design and development of mental health data monitoring portal for psychologists and licensed mental health clinicians, enhancing data accessibility.
Residential Case Manager
Noah's Anchorage Youth Shelter - Channel Islands YMCA
Santa Barbara, CA
07.2021 - 02.2022
- Delivered crisis intervention and support to youth in-person and via phone, fostering immediate stability and safety.
- Provided counseling through individual or family sessions to facilitate youth's communication of needs and promote family reunification.
- Evaluated client's mental and general health needs, ensuring tailored interventions and support.
- Coordinated client services with outside organizations and social workers, developing personalized care plans that addressed individual needs.
- Led group sessions with resident youth, covering topics such as substance use, interpersonal skill building, and mental health management techniques.
Post-Baccalaureate Fellow & Mental Health Specialist
McLean Hospital
Belmont, MA
03.2020 - 04.2021
- Collaborated with nursing team in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders inpatient program at McLean Hospital, enhancing patient care through participation in Post-Baccalaureate Clinical Fellowship.
- Supported patients in daily activities, facilitated transportation to treatment, and provided crisis support to promote stability and well-being.
- Managed milieu effectively to ensure patient safety and provide support in high-stress situations.
- Assessed and documented patient physiological and psychological status using EPIC.
- In-service sessions led by McLean and Harvard Medical School clinicians on pharmacology, specific disorders, and challenges in mental health care.
Post-Baccalaureate Fellow & Resident Counselor
McLean Hospital
Belmont, MA
07.2019 - 03.2020
- Community residence counselor at McLean's adolescent residential treatment program (population ages 12-21). Completed McLean's 2-year post-baccalaureate fellowship in child and adolescent psychology.
- Assisted patients in using/practicing DBT and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy skills to manage mental health.
- Supported patients during residential treatment, addressing general psychology and substance use needs to promote recovery.
- Provided medication under the direction of McLean psychiatrists and nurses.
- Provided on-call coaching for emotional regulation and substance use urges when at home or off-site.
- Educated patients and caregivers on effective strategies for managing mental disorders and substance use challenges, improving treatment engagement.
- Ensured effective communication regarding patient needs and treatment progress.
- Assessed and enhanced group-treatment strategies, contributing to program effectiveness and patient outcomes.
Education
Master's of Social Work - Clinical Social Work
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ01-2026
Post-Baccalaureate Clinical Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychology -
McLean Hospital
Belmont, MA04-2021
B.S. - Psychological and Brain Sciences
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA05-2019
Skills
- Individual therapy
- Crisis intervention
- Evidence-based methods
- Risk assessments
- Patient advocacy
- Referral coordination
- Documentation
- Documentation systems
- Excel
- Multicultural competence
Timeline
School-Based Social Worker
Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County
08.2024 - Current
School-Based Counselor - MSW Intern
Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County
01.2024 - 06.2024
Research Contractor
Caraway Software Inc.
01.2023 - 01.2024
Residential Case Manager
Noah's Anchorage Youth Shelter - Channel Islands YMCA
07.2021 - 02.2022
Post-Baccalaureate Fellow & Mental Health Specialist
McLean Hospital
03.2020 - 04.2021
Post-Baccalaureate Fellow & Resident Counselor
McLean Hospital
07.2019 - 03.2020
Master's of Social Work - Clinical Social Work
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Post-Baccalaureate Clinical Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychology -
McLean Hospital
B.S. - Psychological and Brain Sciences
University of California Santa Barbara