SHERRISSE SHINAUL
Richmond,VA
Summary
Led psychoeducational and therapeutic groups, implementing evidence-based practices to promote recovery. Focused on developing individualized treatment plans and fostering a collaborative environment that enhances client engagement and supports successful outcomes in mental health and substance use treatment.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Substance Abuse Group Facilitator
StarCity Behavioral Health
07.2025 - Current
- Lead psychoeducational, skills-based, and process groups for individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health needs.
- Use motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and trauma-informed approaches to promote engagement and insight.
- Support clients in identifying triggers, developing coping strategies, and strengthening relapse-prevention plans.
- Maintained structured, respectful, recovery-focused group environment to foster participant engagement and safety.
- Encourage participation, validate experiences, and model healthy communication and emotional regulation.
- Create interactive activities that encourage honesty, accountability, peer support, and practical skill-building.
- Provided crisis de-escalation and redirection during critical incidents.
- Completed timely, accurate, strength-based group notes reflecting interventions and client responses to document progress and guide future sessions.
- Collaborate with clinical staff to support individualized treatment plans.
- Tracked attendance, participation, and behavioral observations to inform treatment adjustments and support client progress.
- Assist in developing group curricula, session outlines, and recovery-focused activities.
Crisis Behavioral Specialist
St Joseph Villa
05.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented mental health strategies for population, promoting resilience and coping skills.
- Taught strategies and techniques for behavioral modification to DSM diagnosed individuals aged 8-17 in crisis receiving center.
- Execute the removal of barriers using person centered tools and resources.
- Identify and link population to resources to aid in facilitating their goals.
- Work collectively with the population to structure individual service plan.
- Maintained comprehensive progress summaries through quarterly and weekly notes, tracking behavioral changes and service effectiveness.
- Monitor outreach activities and results to determine and address barriers, opportunities, and best practices.
CSAC-Supervisee
New Season Treatment Center
09.2024 - 12.2025
- Facilitate individual and group counseling sessions using evidence-based practices including cognitive behavior therapy, motivational interviewing and dialectic therapy.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans.
- Collaborated with patient and multidisciplinary team to develop specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely discharge and continuum of care plans to facilitate appropriate levels of care.
- Structure comprehensive treatment plan including addressing the six dimensions of ASAM criteria to improve overall functioning in the community.
- Monitor and assess patient progress, adjusting interventions to align with patient purpose abilities and strengths.
- Enhanced treatment center success through active participation in team meetings and professional development, including development of consumer surveys and partnerships with community resources to support recovery progress.
- Maintained patient caseload by conducting case management and utilization review updates, treatment planning duties, and clinical charting.
Interim Program Supervisor/Case Manager
The New Y-Capp
04.2023 - 09.2024
- Collaborated with company officials to develop methods and procedures that increased census, expanded markets, and promoted programs.
- Monitor and empower staff performance to ensure that goals are met, and staff enhance their talents. Listen to and resolve participants' concerns regarding program services and delivery of services.
- Prepared required documentation and reports for funding sources and external stakeholders to ensure compliance and transparency.
- Designed, monitored, and evaluated workflow processes within and across departments to improve efficiency and service delivery.
- Formulated strategies and training techniques to support team leaders and front-line staff in achieving optimal operational performance.
- Identified barriers impacting departmental productivity and proposed actionable, sustainable solutions to enhance operations.
- Developed proposals and constructed presentations to strengthen partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders.
Senior Qualified Mental Health Professional
Internalize Mental Health Perspective Services
04.2020 - 06.2024
- Facilitated one-on-one behavioral support services for clients in crisis to stabilize functioning.
- Taught de-escalation techniques and strategies to enhance clients' community engagement and productive functioning.
- Collaborate with clients in accordance with the individual service plan and the therapeutic process, identify strategies to improve their functioning.
- Built rapport with external service providers to strengthen collaborative support network.
- Coordinate closely with other staff and community partners to ensure the appropriateness of treatment modalities and services being provided.
Education
Master of Legal Studies - Regulatory and Compliance Certification
Washington University School of Law
05-2021
Master of Arts - Organizational Leadership
University of Phoenix
10-2006
Skills
- Patient documentation
- Client engagement
- Motivational interviewing
- Behavioral therapy
- Client engagement
- Group Facilitation
- Crisis Intervention
- Patient documentation
- Resource development
Certification
- QMHP-A/C
- Peer Recovery Support
- Mobile Crisis Response
- CSAC-Supervisee
References
Upon Request
Timeline
Substance Abuse Group Facilitator
StarCity Behavioral Health
07.2025 - Current
CSAC-Supervisee
New Season Treatment Center
09.2024 - 12.2025
Crisis Behavioral Specialist
St Joseph Villa
05.2024 - Current
Interim Program Supervisor/Case Manager
The New Y-Capp
04.2023 - 09.2024
Senior Qualified Mental Health Professional
Internalize Mental Health Perspective Services
04.2020 - 06.2024
Master of Legal Studies - Regulatory and Compliance Certification
Washington University School of Law
Master of Arts - Organizational Leadership
University of Phoenix