Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Licenses
Licenses
Volunteer Leadership Roles
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Phyllis Tobias, MSW, LICSW, LCSW, ACSW

Phyllis Tobias, MSW, LICSW, LCSW, ACSW

Summary

Compassionate and results-driven Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families in school, healthcare, and clinical settings. Licensed in multiple states and deeply experienced in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, individualized education planning, and program development. Proven leader and mentor within diverse systems, with a passion for equity, mental wellness, and community healing.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

District School Social Worker | Wellness Specialist

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS)
02.2022 - Current
  • Collaborate with building administrators and school-based social workers across the district to implement trauma-informed practices and multi-tiered student support systems, enhancing school climate and student well-being
  • Conduct needs assessments; develop and implement group, individual, and family interventions upon request for most challenging cases
  • Mentor early-career social workers
  • Serve as member of Crisis Response Team
  • Provide guidance to school based team in regard to McKinney-Vento Program

Private Practice Therapist

Phyllis Tobias, MSW, LICSW, LCSW, ACSW
01.2021 - Current
  • Perform diagnostic evaluations and formulate evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each client's presenting issues and therapeutic goals
  • Deliver individual, family, and group therapy
  • Provide care coordination when needed

Pediatric Clinical Social Worker / Care Manager

Mass General Brigham (MGB)
11.2016 - 02.2022
  • Collaborated closely with physicians and healthcare teams to support seamless communication, align treatment plans, and enhance patient outcomes
  • Conducted biopsychosocial assessments for pediatric and adolescent patients
  • Coordinated school-based support plans (504, IEP, behavior plans)
  • Served as liaison between families, educators, and health providers
  • Advocated in Department of Education mediation processes

School Social Worker / Counselor

Indianapolis Public Schools
08.2001 - 02.2016
  • Selected to be part of the start-up team for a specialized school serving high-ability learners, supporting early-stage planning and implementation (Sidener Academy)
  • Delivered individual and group therapy to high-ability students and families
  • Served in leadership roles: Administrative Hiring Team, Mental Health Steering Committee
  • Interim principal responsibilities including discipline, supervision, family meetings
  • Participated in IEP writing, case conferences, academic advising

Private Practice

New Perspectives of Indiana
08.2004 - 07.2011
  • Facilitated individual, family, and group therapy. Design and implement treatment plans according to diagnosis. Coordinated case management and other health related services as needed.

Family Therapist (School-Based & Outpatient)

Gallahue Mental Health Center
01.2000 - 01.2001
  • Completed biopsychosocial intake assessments to evaluate client needs, mental health status, and service eligibility
  • Completed classroom observations to monitor student behavior, social-emotional functioning, and teacher-student interactions
  • Collaborated on IEPs and behavioral intervention plans

Family Therapist (Residential)

Resource, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2000
  • Performed diagnostic evaluations and formulated evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each client's presenting issues and therapeutic goals
  • Led treatment planning for youth in residential care
  • Prepared clinical and court reports for juvenile courts across four states
  • Facilitated individual, family and group therapy

Therapist / Counselor

Pleasant Run Children’s Home
06.1997 - 01.1999
  • Delivered therapy in locked residential setting
  • Facilitated group sessions on substance use, abuse prevention
  • Coordinated treatment transitions to foster care or independent living
  • Provided educational care coordination with resident's home school
  • Prepared comprehensive court summaries for youth receiving treatment services, detailing progress, challenges, and recommended interventions

Education

Master of Social Work -

University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
1997

Bachelor of Arts -

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
1989

Skills

  • Family Intervention
  • Multidisciplinary team collaboration
  • IEP collaboration
  • Mental health assessment
  • Data collection and management
  • Crisis Intervention

Affiliations

  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
  • School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA)
  • Indiana School Social Worker Association (INSSWA)

Timeline

District School Social Worker | Wellness Specialist

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS)
02.2022 - Current

Private Practice Therapist

Phyllis Tobias, MSW, LICSW, LCSW, ACSW
01.2021 - Current

Pediatric Clinical Social Worker / Care Manager

Mass General Brigham (MGB)
11.2016 - 02.2022

Private Practice

New Perspectives of Indiana
08.2004 - 07.2011

School Social Worker / Counselor

Indianapolis Public Schools
08.2001 - 02.2016

Family Therapist (School-Based & Outpatient)

Gallahue Mental Health Center
01.2000 - 01.2001

Family Therapist (Residential)

Resource, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2000

Therapist / Counselor

Pleasant Run Children’s Home
06.1997 - 01.1999

Master of Social Work -

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Arts -

Butler University

Licenses

  • LCSW, Indiana, Maine, Florida
  • LICSW, Massachusetts
  • Professional Educator License, School Social Work (Support Services)
  • ACSW, Academy of Certified Social Workers
  • Adult & Pediatric CPR/AED, American Red Cross

Licenses

  • LCSW, Indiana, Maine, Florida
  • LICSW, Massachusetts
  • Professional Educator License, School Social Work (Support Services)
  • ACSW, Academy of Certified Social Workers
  • Adult & Pediatric CPR/AED, American Red Cross

Volunteer Leadership Roles

  • Brooke’s Place, Indianapolis, IN, Clinical Care Team
  • Paws & Think, Indianapolis, IN Certified Dog Therapy Team
  • University of Pennsylvania, Secondary School Admissions Committee
  • Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, Prior Member of Board of Directors
  • The Orchard School, Indianapolis, IN, (Previously held positions) Board of Trustees, Education Committee, Financial Aid Focus Group, Co-Chair: Appropriations, Diversity, Volunteer Committees, Open House Volunteer & Orchard in Bloom Co-Chair

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