Tara Ashley
Columbus
Summary
Equipped with strong problem-solving abilities, willingness to learn, and excellent communication skills. Poised to contribute to team success and achieve positive results. Ready to tackle new challenges and advance organizational objectives with dedication and enthusiasm.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Health Care for Homeless Veterans
Veterans Administration
04.2024 - Current
- Complete psychosocial assessments, provide crisis intervention services and coordinate family conferences, develop treatment plans and offer psychosocial interventions and measure outcomes. Engage (through outreach) with homeless Veterans and assist them in obtaining permanent housing. Perform community-based activities to respond to referrals from various sources, including Veteran self-referrals and walk-ins. Participate in team performance improvement and sustainment activities. Educate Veterans about available homeless and VA resources, providing referrals and linkage. Coordinate with health care providers (VA and community) to minimize barriers and improve access to care.
Mental Health Clinician
BetterHelp.Com
04.2024 - Current
- On-line therapist for all ages. Engaging, assessing, diagnosing clients around issues of adjustment disorder, anxiety, depression. Work with individuals, couples and families. Utilizing group clinical supervision and trainings on-line. Helping to promote clinical and therapeutic services to rural populations across Montana and Minnesota.
- (Remote)
Adjunct Faculty for MSW Program
Regis College
08.2022 - Current
- Teach Field Seminar classes to Master of Social Work Students. Help to create connection for students between social work education and the field practicum experience. Incorporate the 9 competencies created by the Counsel on Social Work Education into feedback and Zoom class time. Problem solve with students as they mitigate professional and personal experiences during graduate school.
- (Remote)
Licensed Clinical Therapist
Billings Clinic
06.2024 - 12.2024
- Therapist in the Integrated Behavioral Health team. Completion of diagnostic assessments and short-term solution focused therapy interventions for individuals meeting criteria to be part of the IBH team. Work in a multi-disciplinary team environment in West Billings Clinic and Heights Billings Clinic centers.
Field Education Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty
St. Mary's University of Minnesota
10.2022 - 02.2024
- Responsible for the pre-field processes of students and prospective agencies and supervisors. Assisting students secure generalist and clinical placements that best meet their needs and desires. Also, preparing students, agencies and field supervisors to ensure they understand the expectations and requirements of a field placement site, student and supervisor. Attention to CSWE guidelines and social work practice. Teach field seminar to students obtaining their MSW degree.
- (Remote)
Mental Health Clinician
Thriveworks
02.2022 - 12.2022
- Part-time on-line therapist for all ages. Engaging, assessing, diagnosing clients around issues of adjustment disorder, anxiety, depression. Work with individuals, couples and families. Engaging in group clinical supervision and trainings on-line. Helping to promote clinical and therapeutic services to rural populations across Montana.
Field Director, Instructor
Idaho State University
07.2018 - 12.2021
- Social Work MSW and BSW field director and class instructor. Work with the community and Idaho State University to develop practicum placements and match them to student interests and desires. Monitor learning and practice experiences as the Council of Social Work Education outlines for competencies and practice behaviors. Teach seminar and other course classes as arranged. Create curriculum and teach trauma responsive practice for MSW social work students.
Contract and Pro Bono Therapist
Mental Wellness, Redford Counseling and Cognitive Restructuring
01.2015 - 05.2021
- Provide outpatient Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for individuals with a history of adverse childhood experiences.
Embedded Hub Child Welfare Trainer
Idaho State University
04.2018 - 07.2018
- Coordinate, write curriculum and teach new worker Academy for child protection staff. Train in-services for BSW, MSW licensed social workers. Facilitate Learning Circles for supervisors and chiefs of social work. Provide consultation to FACS child protection as needed. Model, coach and mentor for new child welfare workers. Provide in-services for Child Welfare staff as needed. Participate in state Child Welfare Sub-committee meetings. Supervise and train trainer team throughout the state of Idaho.
Contract Therapist
Bannock County Juvenile Probation
03.2012 - 01.2015
- Provided psycho-education, family therapy, individual therapy and TF-CBT for juveniles and their families. Assessed and treated traumatized youth who had entered the system due to delinquent behavior. Provided supportive mental health treatment that met the needs of individuals and families to address historical familial trauma that contributed to negative behavior in youth.
Therapist
Joshua D. Smith & Associates
04.2009 - 10.2010
- Provided individual therapy for 15-20 adults living in the community while they navigated life with mental health challenges and psychiatric diagnoses. Provided intake assessments and annual comprehensive diagnostic assessments as required by the state. Assisted with group supervision of PSR workers.
Masters Level Licensed Social Worker
St. Mary's Hospital
09.2003 - 07.2008
- Responded to social work emergencies throughout the hospital. Evaluated and provided brief therapy in situations such as suicide attempts, nursing home placements, child abuse, domestic violence, drug and alcohol use and abuse, issues around death and dying, anxiety, and depression. Provided case mgmt. and discharge planning after hours. Worked with a team of doctors and nurses to safely plan and coordinate best case practice and referrals.
Social Work Adjunct Faculty
Metro State College
09.2000 - 05.2001
- Taught Bachelor's candidates core classes. (Human Behavior and The Social Environment and Urban Living) (see page 3)
Sex Abuse Team, Supervisor
Jefferson County Department of Social Services
09.1999 - 02.2001
- Provided supportive, clinical supervision and education for seven caseworkers and two case aids in a specialized unit of child protection where intra-familial sexual abuse was the primary issue. Facilitated team meetings and promoted containment within the professional community for families. Interviewed, hired and trained new staff. Participated in Safe Jeff-co Working Group for juvenile sex offenders. Acted as a liaison between caseworkers and administration.
Sex Abuse Team, Caseworker III
Jefferson County Department of Social Services
10.1997 - 09.1999
- Cooperatively created and implemented court ordered treatment plans for families identified by child protection and probation. Carried a specialized caseload of families whose presenting issues were identified as intra-familial sexual abuse. Facilitated and managed treatment for both sexual abuse victims and perpetrators. Utilized a containment team to make decisions around victim/perpetrator reunification, and community safety.
Family Development Center, Therapist/Case Manager
Boston Medical Center
06.1996 - 07.1997
- Provided case management and therapy for children and families that have been victims or witnesses of violence and/or neglect. Supported children and families in a therapeutic preschool, milieu, multi-cultural setting. Co-facilitated a psycho-educational, supportive, foster parent group meeting monthly.
Telephone Case Screener
Judge Baker Children's Center
06.1994 - 07.1997
- Screened reports of child abuse and neglect for the Department of Social Services (DSS). Gathered data from callers, assessed callers' needs, and implemented appropriate responses for the DSS after-hours emergency services. Coordinated DSS case requests or situations and transmitted case management information when children were maltreated in crisis situations. Trained new trainers and screeners. Participated in interviewing new staff.
Education
Masters Degree - Social Work
Simmons College School of Social Work
Boston, MA05.1997
Bachelors Degree - Social Work
Regis College
Weston, MA05.1994
Skills
- Please provide the details of your previous job experience and your recent job title so I can generate a customized list of essential resume skills for you
- Supportive team demeanor
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Service excellence
- Strategic issue analysis
- Flexible in approach
- Diligent and trustworthy
- Problem-solving skills
- Maintains focus during challenging circumstances
- Attentive listening
- Strong spoken communication
Affiliations
- ITP - International Trauma Professionals, 2015.
- TF-CBT Supervision Collaborative
Certification
- Montana – Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Minnesota – Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Interests
family, outdoor adventure, alpine skiing, snowshoeing, reading, martial arts and piano
Publications
Article Co-Authored and Published 2020 – “Meeting the Grand Challenges in a Rural Community: An IPE Case Study”, Fredi Giesler, Robert Rieske, Lacey Wuthrich, Tara Ashley in Summer 2020 special issue of Advances in Social Work.
Section name
- 1999 - 2001 Metro State College, Undergraduate School of Social Work Denver, CO
- Adjunct Faculty
- Courses Taught
- Human Behavior In The Social Environment: Human Development across the Life Span
- Urban Families
- 2015 – 2018 Idaho State University - IET (Interdisciplinary Evaluation Team) - Social Work Assessor
- Child Welfare Academy Courses Taught for 7 years (2011-2018) (post-undergraduate classes for child welfare workers with a BSW):
- Child and Family Engagement Part I
- Child and Family Engagement Part II (authored)
- Family Group Decision Making
- Family Centered Practice
- Child Welfare in Statutory Context
- Idaho Permanency Oriented Practice
- Concurrent Planning
- Foster Care
- Knowing Who You Are – race and ethnicity for communities working with youth in foster care
- Working With Older Youth
- Ethics of Family Centered Practice (including Fort Hall social workers)
- Ethics and Social Media (including Fort Hall social workers)
- Ethics of Boundaries
- Ethics of the Learning Climate (including Fort Hall social workers)
- Ethics of Cultural Humility (authored)
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network Child Welfare Trauma Training
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network Juvenile Justice Trauma Training
- Resilience Alliance (secondary traumatic stress for social workers)
- Secondary Traumatic Stress for Early Learning Professionals
- Including Fathers in Child Welfare (authored)
- Learning Circles for Supervisors (co-authored)
- Managing Juvenile Sex Offenders in the Community (authored)
- Consultations
- 1998 Federal Think Tank in Portland Oregon for Registration of Juvenile Sex Offenders
- 1999 Colorado Placement of Juvenile Sex Offenders in other states
- 2017 Trainings Regarding Trauma for Southeast Idaho (CMH)
- 2014 – 2018 – Idaho CANS Implementation Team Member
- 2011 – Present Trauma and Behavior of Youth in Foster Care (on-going)
Timeline
Licensed Clinical Therapist
Billings Clinic
06.2024 - 12.2024
Health Care for Homeless Veterans
Veterans Administration
04.2024 - Current
Mental Health Clinician
BetterHelp.Com
04.2024 - Current
Field Education Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty
St. Mary's University of Minnesota
10.2022 - 02.2024
Adjunct Faculty for MSW Program
Regis College
08.2022 - Current
Mental Health Clinician
Thriveworks
02.2022 - 12.2022
Field Director, Instructor
Idaho State University
07.2018 - 12.2021
Embedded Hub Child Welfare Trainer
Idaho State University
04.2018 - 07.2018
Contract and Pro Bono Therapist
Mental Wellness, Redford Counseling and Cognitive Restructuring
01.2015 - 05.2021
Contract Therapist
Bannock County Juvenile Probation
03.2012 - 01.2015
Therapist
Joshua D. Smith & Associates
04.2009 - 10.2010
Masters Level Licensed Social Worker
St. Mary's Hospital
09.2003 - 07.2008
Social Work Adjunct Faculty
Metro State College
09.2000 - 05.2001
Sex Abuse Team, Supervisor
Jefferson County Department of Social Services
09.1999 - 02.2001
Sex Abuse Team, Caseworker III
Jefferson County Department of Social Services
10.1997 - 09.1999
Family Development Center, Therapist/Case Manager
Boston Medical Center
06.1996 - 07.1997
Telephone Case Screener
Judge Baker Children's Center
06.1994 - 07.1997
Bachelors Degree - Social Work
Regis College
Masters Degree - Social Work
Simmons College School of Social Work