Tina M. Laird
Summary
Dedicated mental health professional specializing in crisis intervention and case management, with a strong focus on supporting veterans. Proven experience in clinical assessment, safety planning, and implementing evidence-based treatment methods to improve patient outcomes. Adept in fostering collaborative relationships with community resources to enhance access to care.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Veterans Affairs
Biloxi
07.2022 - 07.2025
- Assessed high-risk factors for all Veterans Crisis Line calls and provided appropriate interventions.
- Coordinated Veteran care with community providers, facilitating discharge planning and referrals to VA programs and community-based services.
- Conducted Columbia Comprehensive Suicide Risk Assessment and developed safety plans as clinically indicated.
General Mental Health Therapist
Mobile Outpatient Clinic
Mobile
07.2019 - 07.2022
- Provided evidence-based treatment to Veterans with mental health needs, including DBT, CBT, MI, and ACT.
- Collaborated with counselors, physicians, and nurses to coordinate treatment plans tailored to patient needs.
- Assisted clients in identifying and accessing community resources and referral services to enhance support networks.
HUD/VASH Case Manager - Homeless Program
Veterans Affairs
Biloxi
08.2018 - 07.2019
- Conducted home visits, assessing needs and providing resource referrals to maintain stable housing.
- Coordinated with community and VA providers to secure essential services and benefits for Veterans and their families.
- Advocated for Veterans by delivering crisis resolution support and facilitating access to resources.
Domiciliary SATP/RRTP LCSW
Central Texas VA Health Care System
Temple
08.2017 - 08.2018
- Counseled clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues.
- Collaborated with counselors, physicians, and nurses to coordinate treatment based on patient needs.
- Connected clients and families to community resources for housing and treatment, ensuring follow-through.
ICM/Pact Team Social Worker
Central Texas Veterans Health Care System
Temple
05.2017 - 08.2017
- Collaborated with counselors, physicians, and nurses to coordinate treatment plans based on social work experience and Veterans' needs.
- Advocated for Veterans and their families during crises to ensure support and resources were available.
- Conducted interviews with Veterans, reviewed records, assessed needs and strengths, and conferred with professionals to evaluate mental or physical conditions.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
- Educate or assist Veterans in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
- Referred Veterans and family members to community resources for housing and treatment options, enhancing access to essential services.
- Refer Veteran or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.
- Maintain accurate documentation and abide by HIPAA standards.
Mental Health Therapist PRN
Inspirations Intensive Outpatient Program
Lubbock
12.2016 - 05.2017
- Provide Therapy Services to patients attending Inspirations Intensive Outpatient program.
- Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
- Counseled clients in group sessions to address substance abuse, mental or physical illness, and poverty, fostering a supportive environment for recovery.
- Collaborated with counselors, physicians, and nurses to coordinate treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs, leveraging social work expertise.
- Assisted clients in adhering to treatment plans by organizing appointments, arranging transportation, and providing essential support, enhancing commitment to recovery.
- Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
- Completed and maintained accurate records regarding patients' histories and progress.
- Increase social work knowledge by reviewing current literature and or attending seminars.
Social Worker
Northern Arizona VA Health Care Systems
Prescott
07.2010 - 08.2013
- Goals: Provide Psychosocial assessments, treatment/treatment planning, and case management for medically frail home bound Veterans.
- Psychosocial assessment -identifying needs and strengths for all patients on Home Base Primary Care census.
- Counseled Veterans and family members on mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, and caregiver stress, providing comprehensive support.
- Identify and assist with the development of culturally appropriate treatment goals for the Veteran and family.
- Facilitated community placement options for families, enhancing access to necessary resources.
- Worked with community and VA providers to secure services and benefits for Veterans and their families.
- Refer Veteran and family members to community resources for legal aid, low-income housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply.
- Provide education regarding Advanced Directives and Medical Power of Attorney documentation in addition to identifying future planning needs.
- Attended treatment team meetings to assess progress on treatment goals and make necessary modifications.
- Collaborate with other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.
- Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Ensured confidentiality of client treatment records by adhering to privacy policies and regulations.
Mental Health Social Worker
Northern Arizona VA Health Care Systems
Prescott
08.2008 - 07.2010
- Delivered psychosocial services to Veterans in Domiciliary Medical Maintenance Program, enhancing their mental health and well-being.
- Counsel Veterans in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment.
- Conducted psychosocial assessments for Veterans upon admission to Health Maintenance Program, identifying specific needs and strengths to inform treatment.
- Develop and implement individualized culturally appropriate treatment plans which address medical, substance use and mental health needs.
- Collaborate with both community and VA providers to secure services for Veterans-SSDI, Service Connection Benefits.
- Participate in treatment team meetings to review progress of treatment goals.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record Veteran progress with respect to treatment goals.
- Refer Veteran to community resources for housing or treatment-AA, NA, - to assist in recovery from mental health, substance dependence, and physical illness, following through to ensure service efficacy.
- Adjusted treatment plans based on evolving client status to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness of care.
- Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and Veteran’s needs.
Mental Health Counselor
West Yavapai Guidance Clinic
Prescott Valley
03.2008 - 07.2008
- Provide individual and family therapy to children with mental health needs.
- Develop individualized culturally appropriate treatment plans of care for child and family.
- Assess family needs and strengths and provide treatment and counseling services accordingly.
- Counsel clients or family members, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to psychosocial challenges, or making changes.
- Encouraged clients to express feelings, gain insight, build coping strategies, and enhance social networks for improved mental health.
- Collected comprehensive client information through interviews, observation, and assessments to inform treatment decisions.
- Collaborate with other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.
- Evaluated counseling programs to assess client progress in resolving issues and achieving defined treatment objectives.
- Meet with families, GAL, CPS, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.
Medical Social Worker
Hospice of the Valley
Peoria
10.2006 - 12.2007
- Provide education, emotional support and case management services to families dealing with terminal illness.
- Conducted psychosocial assessments to identify family-specific needs and strengths, enhancing support strategies.
- Interview clients and family members, assessing psychosocial situations, capabilities, and problems to determine necessary services.
- Developed and implemented culturally appropriate treatment plans addressing medical and emotional needs, improving patient care.
- Provide information and education regarding the use/purpose of Advanced Directives, Medical Power of Attorney, and Do Not Resuscitate orders.
- Attend and participate in weekly ICC meetings with Hospice of the Valley Team to discuss treatment goals and objectives of each patient/family.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
- Collaborated with counselors, physicians, and nurses to coordinate treatment plans based on social work experience and patient needs.
- Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
Functional Family Therapist
State of New Mexico
Farmington
11.2005 - 09.2006
- Delivered functional family therapy aligned with therapy model, collaborating with agencies to create a comprehensive relapse prevention plan.
- Provide mental health services to high-risk youth and their families by assessing risk and protective factors and building upon family strengths.
- Monitored and evaluated client progress against treatment goals, documenting changes to inform ongoing therapeutic strategies.
- Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
- Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
- Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
- Facilitated referrals to community resources for housing and treatment, ensuring follow-through to enhance recovery outcomes for clients and families.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (Contract)
Halvorson House
Farmington
04.2005 - 11.2005
- Provided behavioral health/substance abuse counseling and treatment to Halvorson House Drug Court clients and families, enhancing their recovery journey.
- Provided comprehensive assessments, psychoeducation, and relapse prevention education.
- Developed comprehensive and culturally appropriate treatment plans for each drug court client.
- Monitored, evaluated, and documented client progress toward treatment goals, ensuring continuity of care and effective interventions.
- Referred clients and families to community resources for housing and treatment, facilitating support for recovery from mental or physical illness.
- Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
- Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient.
- Participation in multidisciplinary team affiliated with the Juvenile Justice Department including judges, attorneys, probation officers, drug and grade court personnel.
Medical Social Worker
State of New Mexico
Farmington
09.2000 - 11.2002
- Ensure families with medically fragile children receive appropriate referral within the medical/mental health community.
- Interviewed clients and families, assessing needs to identify appropriate services and develop tailored solutions.
- Coordinated case management services for DOH clients and families, ensuring access to necessary resources.
- Network and coordinate families with community resources, provide comprehensive treatment options and individualized treatment planning.
- Schedule and coordinate specialized clinics, cleft lip and palate, genetics, pulmonary, neurology and endocrinology.
- Participate in community agency meetings to promote health care awareness.
- Authorized payments to ensure timely compensation for service providers supporting Children's Medical Service clients.
Education
Master of Arts - Social Work
University of Denver
Denver, CO06-2004
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY06-1996
Associate of Arts - Addictions
Casper College
Casper, WY06-1995
Skills
Timeline
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Veterans Affairs
07.2022 - 07.2025
General Mental Health Therapist
Mobile Outpatient Clinic
07.2019 - 07.2022
HUD/VASH Case Manager - Homeless Program
Veterans Affairs
08.2018 - 07.2019
Domiciliary SATP/RRTP LCSW
Central Texas VA Health Care System
08.2017 - 08.2018
ICM/Pact Team Social Worker
Central Texas Veterans Health Care System
05.2017 - 08.2017
Mental Health Therapist PRN
Inspirations Intensive Outpatient Program
12.2016 - 05.2017
Social Worker
Northern Arizona VA Health Care Systems
07.2010 - 08.2013
Mental Health Social Worker
Northern Arizona VA Health Care Systems
08.2008 - 07.2010
Mental Health Counselor
West Yavapai Guidance Clinic
03.2008 - 07.2008
Medical Social Worker
Hospice of the Valley
10.2006 - 12.2007
Functional Family Therapist
State of New Mexico
11.2005 - 09.2006
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (Contract)
Halvorson House
04.2005 - 11.2005
Medical Social Worker
State of New Mexico
09.2000 - 11.2002
Master of Arts - Social Work
University of Denver
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
University of Wyoming
Associate of Arts - Addictions
Casper College