Susan F. Nicolan
New Bedford,MA
Summary
Seeking clinical/management position in behavioral health or chemical abuse counseling
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinician for Medication Assistance Program, Soar Program
Steppingstone, Inc.
02.2019 - Current
- Clinician as an integral part of the clinical team for SOAR, a medication assistant treatment program. Responsible for delivery of comprehensive services to support program consumers. Provide oversight of a structured setting where consumers are kept safe and secure in a trauma free setting.
- Duties include conduct screening and intake interviews, develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment service plans, collaborate, and coordinate services with probation/parole board, employment, and educational agencies, DCF, human service providers, medical/primary care, clinical/mental behavioral health, and family social supports
- Additional duties include linking consumers to services provided by community-based organizations such as peer support groups, legal services, nutritional counseling, HIV rapid retesting, Hepatitis C and STD testing. Also provide crisis intervention by assessing severity of the episode, de-escalating the consumer, referral to emergency response team as needed, and develop a safety plan to assist in resolving crisis. Last, develop and coordinate discharge planning with consumer, family, housing, and other community providers.
Program Director
Veterans Transition House
2004 - 01.2019
- Administrative Duties: Implementation of all programs, assess specific program needs and maintain a drug/alcohol free environment. Responsible for collecting monthly program data as required by Department of Veteran Services for payment.
Clinical Supervisor/Unit Associate Supervisor
Southeast Regional Network T.S.S.
01.1999 - 01.2004
- Administrative duties: assisting the program director with overall daily operations of a 40-bed facility providing treatment to early-stage chemically dependent clients. Provide monthly statistics and data for DPH funding sources and the New Bedford Homeless Providers Network. Complete monthly follow-up of clients who transferred to their placement.
- Clinical Duties: Supervision of four case workers, assist in decision-making and problem solving, staff and group scheduling, review client files, and co-facilitate treatment team meetings. Unit Associate Supervisor duties included direct supervision of 16-unit associate staff including scheduling as well as leadership, motivational, and educational training.
Program Supervisor
Steppingstone, Inc.
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Administrative Duties: Daily operation of a 10-bed transitional supportive housing program for chronically homeless mean and women with long term histories of alcohol/drug addiction, oversee a 10-bed graduate program, compiled, and provided monthly statistical data to the board of directors, HUD, and the Fall River Homeless Coalition. Finally, oversaw admissions process and interviewed potential clients.
- Clinical Duties: Direct supervision of two case managers, six relief staff providing support, training, guidance, and advocacy. Provided case consulting with residents, conducted psycho-educational groups on topics such as relapse prevention, anger management, basic life skills, and job search skills.
Education
Master of Education - Counseling Psychology
Cambridge College
Boston, MAAffiliations
- Appointed board member of the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification
- Former member of the teaching faculty at the Trundy Institute of Addiction Counseling
- Former SMILES mentor
Timeline
Clinician for Medication Assistance Program, Soar Program
Steppingstone, Inc.
02.2019 - Current
Clinical Supervisor/Unit Associate Supervisor
Southeast Regional Network T.S.S.
01.1999 - 01.2004
Program Supervisor
Steppingstone, Inc.
01.1997 - 01.1999
Program Director
Veterans Transition House
2004 - 01.2019
Master of Education - Counseling Psychology
Cambridge College
Qualifications
- Licensed Drug/Alcohol Counselor I
- Advanced Certifide Alcohol/Drug Counselor II
Personal Affiliations
Fund raising committee for St Gabriel Arch Angel Church