Willa Papanikolas
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Limited Licensed Master Social Worker (LLMSW) with experience providing trauma-informed individual therapy, crisis intervention, and comprehensive case management for diverse populations. Skilled in developing strong therapeutic alliances, utilizing strengths-based and person-centered approaches, and advocating for clients to promote healing, resilience, and improved mental health outcomes.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Master of Social Work Student Intern
Trinity Health IHA
Ann Arbor, Michigan
08.2025 - 08.2026
- Utilized evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy skills when working with clients.
- Conducted intake evaluations to identify client challenges and support requirements.
- Designed individualized treatment plans for clients, prioritizing tailored and culturally aware strategies to fulfill diverse needs..
- Documented client interactions and progress in electronic health records system to ensure accurate tracking of treatment outcomes.
- Participated in weekly supervision meetings to discuss caseloads and strategies for providing effective services.
- Participated in training workshops to enhance social work practices and integrate new techniques into client care.
- Provided psychoeducational about the postpartum period to new parents.
Psychology Technician
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina
08.2021 - 05.2025
- Promoted from Research Assistant into Psychology Technician in Dec. 2022.
- Coordinated Dr. Eric Dedert’s research project, Cognitive Processing Therapy with smoking abstinence reinforcement therapy for treatment of PTSD and cigarette smoking.
- Administered evidence-based assessments for Dr. Jean Beckham’s research project, Functional outcomes of cannabis use in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Supported Dr. Jonathan Young in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) appointments for his research project, Neuroimaging correlates and feasibility of transcranial magnetic stimulation to improve smoking cessation outcomes in veterans with comorbid PTSD.
- Administered evidence-based psychiatric assessments including but are not limited to: Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th edition (WAIS), Wechsler Memory Scale, 4th edition (WMS), PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, C-SSRS, and the AUDIT.
- Completed study procedures during both virtual and in-person intakes and follow-up appointments.
- Coordinated healthcare referrals for participants post-study.
- Oversaw biological sample collection (urine drug screens, THC saliva tests) and coordinated mailing samples to third-party laboratories.
- Ensured compliance with requested Research Compliance Officers' changes during study audits.
Clinical Research Specialist, Senior
Duke University
North Carolina, North Carolina
08.2021 - 06.2023
- Promoted from Student Research Intern into Clinical Research Specialist, Senior in September 2022.
- Facilitated completion of psychiatric assessments.
- Managed study participant recruitment.
- Reviewed informed consent with study participants.
- Managed data entry for multiple research studies.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Appalachian State University
NC, NC
08.2018 - 05.2021
- Assisted Master’s student in investigating pet therapy mechanisms to enhance mindfulness practices.
- Conducted literature review and acted as confederate in video variable for master’s thesis on Fat Talk perceptions in romantic relationships.
Counseling Center Internship
Appalachian State University
05.2019 - 08.2019
- Coordinated outreach events, enhancing community engagement.
- Contributed as student representative to staff search committee, facilitating candidate selection process.
- Streamlined data organization, improving accessibility for team members.
Education
Master of Social Work - Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, & Substance Abuse Pathway
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI08-2026
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC08-2020
Skills
- Clinical assessment
- Treatment planning
- Individual therapy
- Crisis intervention
- Patient-centered care
- Trauma-informed care
- Evidence-based practices
- Cultural competency
- Mental health advocacy
- Interdisciplinary team collaboration
- Research coordination
- Effective communication
- Problem-solving skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Organized
- Dependable
- Motivated
Completed Trainings
- Basic Skills in Perinatal Mental Health, 01/27/26
- Person-Centered Planning and Individual Plan of Service for Direct Support Professionals, 10/20/25
- Counseling on Access to Lethal Means, 10/06/25
- AACP LOCUS Certification Training, 09/24/25
- Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-V (CAPS-5), 12/22/21
Certification
- License Number: -------
- Issued by the Michigan Board of Social Work
- Active Status (Supervised Practice)
Publications And Posters
- Bazzini, D. G., Papanikolas, C. W., Murray, S., Rozics, M., Martz, D., Dumbing it Down: Feminine Gender Roles and Women’s Perceptions of Self-Critical Dialogs about Intellect., Manuscript in Preparation
- Prowten, S.D., Knopik, E., Bazzini, D.G., Papanikolas, C.W., Murray, S., Rozics, M., Martz, D., 03/02/23, Dumbing it Down: Gender Roles and Perceptions of Self-Critical Dialogues about Intellect., 2023 Eastern Psychological Association (EPA), Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Young, J.R., Galla, J.T., Polick, C., Deng, Z.D., Dannhauer, M., Kirby, A., Dennis, M., Papanikolas, C.W., Evans, M.K., Moore, S.D., Dedert, E.A., Addicott, M.A., Appelbaum, L.G., Beckham, J.C., Multimodal smoking cessation treatment combining transcranial magnetic stimulation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and nicotine replacement therapy in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A feasibility randomized controlled trial protocol., Manuscript approved for publishing
- Young, J.R., Galla, J.T., Polick, C., Papanikolas, C.W., Evans, M., Dedert, E., Addicott, M., Moore, S.D., Appelbaum, L.G., Beckham, J.C., 04/27/23, Multimodal Smoking Cessation Using rTMS, CBT and NRT in Veterans with PTSD: Results from a Nonrandomized Phase II Trial., 2023 Society of Biological Psychiatry (SOBP), San Diego, CA, United States
Timeline
Master of Social Work Student Intern
Trinity Health IHA
08.2025 - 08.2026
Psychology Technician
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
08.2021 - 05.2025
Clinical Research Specialist, Senior
Duke University
08.2021 - 06.2023
Counseling Center Internship
Appalachian State University
05.2019 - 08.2019
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Appalachian State University
08.2018 - 05.2021
Master of Social Work - Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, & Substance Abuse Pathway
University of Michigan
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Appalachian State University