Sarah James
Appleton
Summary
Compassionate mental health counselor skilled in providing effective and empathetic support. Have successfully developed and implemented individualized care plans that significantly improved clients' quality of life. Possess strong communication, crisis management, and therapeutic relationship-building skills. Demonstrated impact by fostering positive outcomes in challenging environments through innovative treatment strategies and patient advocacy.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health Therapist
Rawhide Youth Services
Appleton
10.2022 - Current
- Developed individualized treatment plans based on client's needs and preferences.
- Offered teletherapy services to expand access to mental health care for remote or underserved populations.
- Counseled family members to assist in understanding, dealing with or supporting clients or patients.
- Adhered to HIPAA confidentiality requirements by safeguarding files.
- Conducted individual and group therapy sessions to address a variety of mental health issues, utilizing evidence-based approaches.
- Engaged in community outreach to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote available services.
- Engaged in continuous professional development to stay current with advancements in mental health treatment.
- Worked closely with parents and teachers to implement consistent behavior therapy techniques at home and school.
- Maintained accurate records of client sessions, treatments and progress using an electronic health record system.
- Monitored client progress through regular sessions and adjusted treatment plans as necessary to meet evolving needs.
Mental Health Therapist
Randall Therapeutic Services
Rice Lake
06.2020 - 10.2022
- Provide direct outpatient therapy services in home, office, and virtually for children, adolescent and adult individuals, as well as couples, families, and groups
- Maintained a full caseload of 25-30 clients
- Assess, diagnose, and develop treatment plans for all clients assigned to case load
- Knowledge and utilization of the DSM- 5 and multiple therapeutic modalities including but not limited to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Consult with county social workers in both the Child Protection Division and Comprehensive Community Services to ensure adequate care and open communication for clients
- Collaborated with other therapists and staff during monthly staffing meetings to discuss progress and treatment planning
- Provided oversight to colleagues working within the Individual Skills Development and Enhancement team to provide wraparound support to individuals
- Developed individualized treatment plans based on client's needs and preferences.
- Offered teletherapy services to expand access to mental health care for remote or underserved populations.
Program Specialist
Winnebago County Human Services
Oshkosh
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Provide mental health services to economically diverse clients in acute crisis, primarily due to mental health, AODA, family dysfunction, suicidal ideation and medication management issues, adhering to all mental health laws including Chapters 51.15, 51.45, and 55
- Collaborate with law enforcement and local medical staff about clients in crisis, assessing status and developing appropriate referral, treatment strategies, and/or safety planning
- Collaborate with Juvenile Intake for matters involving electronic monitoring and after-hours child protection cases
- Staff crisis hotline while completing intakes and patient monitoring, counseling callers in de-escalation and redirection, and providing appropriate redirection and referrals
- Document patient progress on EHR, tracking daily activities, medication disbursements, and social interactions for 1-16 patients weekly
Counseling Intern
Nova Counseling Services
Oshkosh
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Conducted individual, group, and experiential therapy within an Inpatient AODA setting
- Assessed ~ 6 new AODA intakes weekly, documenting issues with mental health, AODA, and family history and establishing initial treatment plan to guide the assigned counselor
- Collaborated weekly with other counselors, tracking patient progress, group work, and staffing
- Documented patient progress, charting on group and individual psychotherapy, making insurance calls, and assisting clients with unemployment status and obtaining state benefits
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI05-2020
Bachelor of Science - Psychology (Neuroscience)
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI05-2017
Skills
- Individualized treatment planning
- Client assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Effective communication
- Community outreach
- Psychotherapy techniques
- Group therapy facilitation
Timeline
Mental Health Therapist
Rawhide Youth Services
10.2022 - Current
Mental Health Therapist
Randall Therapeutic Services
06.2020 - 10.2022
Program Specialist
Winnebago County Human Services
01.2019 - 01.2020
Counseling Intern
Nova Counseling Services
01.2018 - 01.2019
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
Cardinal Stritch University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology (Neuroscience)
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh