Tecia Kerr
Mental Health Clinician/Therapist
Hartford,CT
Summary
Dedicated and responsible Primary Therapist driven to help clients and make positive impacts in lives. with excellent skills in clinical assessment and discharge planning. Highly effective when juggling multiple demands and offering excellent analytical insight. Dedicated to individualized care and long-term solutions. Pursing new role with company that prioritizes compassionate client care.
Overview
3
3
Certifications
13
13
years of post-secondary education
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Primary Therapist
Hartford Healthcare – Natchaug Hospital
Mansfield, CT
05.2020 - Current
- Responsible for controlling and managing treatment.
- Provides direct clinical services including individual, group, and family therapy.
- Provides extensive case management services.
- Provides extensive documentation and case coordination for patients.
- Complete referrals for next level of care (Residential treatment, PHP/IOP, intensive in-home services, respite and outpatient).
- Facilitated group sessions with 6-8 people and encouraged participants to share stories in safe, confidential environment.
- Completed full psychosocial assessments to determine best courses of actions.
- Worked with interdisciplinary treatment team to develop and review patient progress and create/update treatment plans.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Child Development Specialist
Klingberg Family Centers
Wethersfield, CT
10.2014 - Current
- Conducts night monitoring and observation to assure the safety and security of the clients.
- Fosters positive, professional relationships with co-workers, interdepartmental personnel, and support staff.
- Prepares required records and reports, including third-shift log, progress notes, and Serious Incident Reports.
- Implements treatment plans as indicated.
- Fosters a stable and therapeutic environment by maintaining the values and principles of the Group Home’s Treatment Philosophy.
- Participates in physical intervention of clients as required in a manner consistent with policy and procedures.
Crisis Clinician
Child Guidance/Wheeler Clinic
Meriden, CT
05.2019 - 03.2021
- Conducted program specific screening and evaluation, and formulates diagnosis in accordance with the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM).
- Developed and documented, clear clinical formulations, crisis and treatment plans that are individualized and measurable, developed in collaboration with the client/family and others as relevant.
- Demonstrated knowledge of psychopathology, crisis theory, other behavioral health concerns, primary modalities of psychotherapeutic intervention referral processes and resources.
- Triages clinical emergencies and implements program specific safety and consultation protocols.
- Utilizes best practices and evidenced based practice models where appropriate and adheres to model and program expectations and make clinically appropriate referrals.
- Provides mobile service in community settings outside of the office (e.g., homes, schools, hospitals, institutions, other community locations) as defined by the program.
- Evaluated risk to client or others by gathering information and conducting assessments.
- Used skills such as active listening and collaborative problem-solving daily to connect with patients and address concerns.
- Built safety plans to lower risk of crisis and intervened in specific manners outlined by procedures.
Multi-systemic Therapist
The Village for Families and Children
Hartford, CT
07.2018 - 05.2019
- Provided direct clinical services to children and their families involved in the juvenile justice system in accordance with the MST model.
- Engaged clients and families in comprehensive safety planning.
- Completed clinical documentation on all active cases including assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, safety plans and MST weekly paperwork in a timely fashion.
- Participated in weekly group supervision and consultation with assigned team.
- Presented conceptualization of cases and incorporate feedback from consultant, supervisor and teammates into treatment planning.
- Participated in 24/7 on-call rotation with teammates to support clients/families in times of crisis.
- Performed assessments during treatment to determine progress according to goals.
- Conducted physical, academic, vocational, mental and other types of evaluations to identify clients' needs and devise treatment plans.
Youth Counselor Supervisor
The Village for Families and Children
Manchester, CT
04.2014 - 08.2018
- Interviewed, hired, trained, directed and supervised staff.
- Coordinated, planned and scheduled to meet the needs of the program.
- Secured the safety of youth in all situations.
- Engaged and assisted in problem solving and crises management as need arises.
- Management of specific budget items, client documentation, implementation of treatment plans and group facilitation.
- Provided 24 hour per day, seven days per week on-call accessibility.
- Monitored and inspected staff processes to eliminate hazards posed for both residents and staff while ensuring continuous compliance with regulations.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Generated and reviewed incident reports, including employee write-ups, actualizing appropriate corrective action plans to mitigate ongoing and potential situations.
Clinical Intern
Stride Counseling Services
Rocky Hill, CT
09.2017 - 05.2018
- Conducted intake assessments and provide preliminary diagnostic impression, clinical formulation, and treatment recommendations Conducted evaluations including clinical interview with caregiver, standardized assessment of child, observations, record review, and collateral contacts Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to produce timely, high-quality evaluation report, including testing results, diagnosis, and individualized recommendations Participated in regularly scheduled, face-to-face individual supervision.
Clinical Intern
M.Ed, Klingberg Family Center, Nia Sage
Wethersfield, CT
06.2017 - 08.2017
- Demonstrated application of clinical theory during supervised group and/or individual psychotherapy sessions Conducted and completed clinical assessments through supervision Reviewed and reassessed treatment plan and effectiveness, involving the client and other disciplines and supervisor in the treatment planning process Effectively performed therapeutic interventions, approaches, modalities to facilitate attainment of patient goals/patient improvement.
Mental Health Counselor
Community Health Resources
Manchester, CT
07.2012 - 12.2013
- Provided intensive in-home child and adolescent counseling.
- Developed and wrote comprehensive client service plans in conjunction with client.
- Demonstrated competency in age related or specialty issues and developmental needs for each population served.
- Formulated adequate discharge plans for all cases terminated from assigned caseload.
- Worked as liaison between agency and state and private hospitals, other community-based services, family members and significant others.
Program Coordinator
Community Renewal Team
Hartford, CT
10.2009 - 09.2012
- Directed and trained staff to work on Energy programs.
- Prepared daily, weekly and monthly invoices/reports and analysis for the Finance Department for vendor payments.
- Reviewed field audits for Quality Compliance and Return on Investment.
- Acted as a liaison for the contractors, the customers and the staff assigned to each job.
- Coordinated and allocated 25 contractor to various locations across CT.
- Organized and managed program development from conception through successful execution.
- Maintained tight production timetables and quality standards to give audiences exceptional offerings.
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
Childcare Worker
Community Health Resources
Coventry, CT
07.2009 - 07.2012
- Ensured the safety of clients by properly following emergency procedures and maintaining required trainings and certifications.
- Interacted with clients in a manner marked by a controlled, non-judgmental tone of voice and body language, which promotes self-esteem and individual responsibility.
- Prepared required records and reports, including shift log, progress notes, and Significant Incident Reports.
- Enforced rules and managed behavior through developmentally appropriate discipline.
- Prepared healthy foods and beverages for children based on optimal dietary guidelines and individual restrictions.
- Promoted good behavior with positive reinforcement methods.
- Created and implemented diverse educational strategies to boost development.
- Applied positive behavior management techniques to enhance social interactions and emotional development.
Education
Master of Education - Mental Health Counseling
Cambridge College
Springfield, MA 09.2015 - 06.2018
MBA -
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC 08.2002 - 07.2004
Bachelors of Science - Business Administration
MORRIS COLLEGE
Sumter, SC 08.1998 - 05.2002
Ph.D. - Marriage and Family Therapy
NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY
05.2019 - 01.2024
Skills
Microsoft applications proficiency
Organization
Good listening skills
Compassion
Detail-oriented
Self-motivated professional
Collaboration
Psychiatric settings
Treatment plans
Patient diagnosis
Client management
Documentation requirements
One-on-one sessions
Intervention planning
Group therapy facilitation
Progress assessments
Written Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Flexible & Adaptable
Excellent work ethic
Adaptability
Certification
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A)
Licensure
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-A)
#3913
Timeline
Primary Therapist
Hartford Healthcare – Natchaug Hospital
05.2020 - Current
Ph.D. - Marriage and Family Therapy
NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY
05.2019 - 01.2024
Crisis Clinician
Child Guidance/Wheeler Clinic
05.2019 - 03.2021
Multi-systemic Therapist
The Village for Families and Children
07.2018 - 05.2019
Clinical Intern
Stride Counseling Services
09.2017 - 05.2018
Clinical Intern
M.Ed, Klingberg Family Center, Nia Sage
06.2017 - 08.2017
Master of Education - Mental Health Counseling
Cambridge College
09.2015 - 06.2018
Child Development Specialist
Klingberg Family Centers
10.2014 - Current
Youth Counselor Supervisor
The Village for Families and Children
04.2014 - 08.2018
Mental Health Counselor
Community Health Resources
07.2012 - 12.2013
Program Coordinator
Community Renewal Team
10.2009 - 09.2012
Childcare Worker
Community Health Resources
07.2009 - 07.2012
MBA -
Claflin University
08.2002 - 07.2004
Bachelors of Science - Business Administration
MORRIS COLLEGE
08.1998 - 05.2002