William Downey, LICSW
Plymouth,MA
Summary
LICSW with 20+ years of clinical and leadership experience in behavioral health, palliative care, and interdisciplinary healthcare. Proven ability to integrate behavioral health services within medical teams while ensuring compassionate, ethical, and outcome-focused patient care.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Primary Care Behavioral Health Clinician
Atrius Health / Optum
11.2023 - Current
- Provide short-term bridge-to-care psychotherapy and behavioral health interventions within a primary care setting.
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and develop actionable treatment and care plans.
- Collaborate with the Behavioral Health Navigator and Community Resource Specialist to coordinate referrals and link patients to appropriate services when clinically indicated.
- Partner with physicians, nurse practitioners, and care managers to address depression, anxiety, trauma, and chronic illness adjustment.
- Facilitate Advance Care Planning (ACP) discussions, including MOLST, DNR/DNI, and other end-of-life documentation per Massachusetts regulations.
- Support patients and families in navigating guardianship and conservatorship processes when indicated.
Clinical Social Worker
Beth Israel Lahey Health
10.2022 - 11.2023
- Supported complex Medicare ACO populations through targeted brief therapy, care coordination, and behavioral health integration.
- Collaborated within an interdisciplinary care team—including physicians, nursing, and behavioral health clinicians—to manage patients across multiple care settings.
- Partnered weekly with skilled nursing and rehabilitation teams (PT, OT, Speech) to evaluate functional progress, determine appropriate skill level, and guide discharge planning and length of stay.
- Conducted post-discharge follow-up for 30 days, ensuring continuity of care, reducing readmissions, and improving patient outcomes.
- Contributed to utilization management initiatives that lowered hospital readmission rates and enhanced patient engagement.
Clinical Social Worker – Hospice & Palliative Care
Cape Cod Healthcare
05.2017 - 10.2022
- Provided grief, loss, and end-of-life counseling to patients and families.
- Conducted psychosocial assessments and collaborated on care planning for home and inpatient hospice patients.
- Covered acute care GIP (General Inpatient) level of care patients and provided on-site support at the Cape Cod Hospice House.
- Led bereavement groups and ensured continuity of care across settings.
Director of Social Work
Plymouth Harborside
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Oversaw all social work operations within a skilled nursing facility.
- Supervised licensed clinicians and ensured regulatory compliance and quality outcomes.
- Led interdisciplinary care planning and family support interventions.
- Established partnerships with community organizations to expand service offerings and resources.
Clinical Social Worker – Hospice & Palliative Care
Hope Health Hospice, Providence RI
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Delivered psychosocial support for adult and pediatric hospice patients and families.
- Managed a small pediatric palliative care caseload with family-centered interventions.
- Partnered with interdisciplinary teams to ensure holistic end-of-life care.
- Facilitated bereavement support and caregiver education programs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care and ensure holistic support for clients.
Assistant Director of Social Services
EPOCH of Brewster, Brewster MA
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Supported leadership of social services within a skilled nursing and rehabilitation setting.
- Conducted psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, and care coordination.
- Assisted in supervision and regulatory compliance to ensure high-quality care.
Education
Master of Social Work (MSW) - Clinical Social Work
Boston College School of Social Work
Chestnut Hill, MA05.2006
Skills
- CBT
- ACT
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Grief & Bereavement Counseling
- Hospice & Palliative Care
- Pediatric Palliative Support
- Advance Care Planning
- Integrated Primary Care
- Clinical Leadership
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Crisis Intervention
Certification
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) – Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
Timeline
Primary Care Behavioral Health Clinician
Atrius Health / Optum
11.2023 - Current
Clinical Social Worker
Beth Israel Lahey Health
10.2022 - 11.2023
Clinical Social Worker – Hospice & Palliative Care
Cape Cod Healthcare
05.2017 - 10.2022
Director of Social Work
Plymouth Harborside
01.2014 - 01.2017
Clinical Social Worker – Hospice & Palliative Care
Hope Health Hospice, Providence RI
01.2011 - 01.2014
Assistant Director of Social Services
EPOCH of Brewster, Brewster MA
01.2009 - 01.2011
Master of Social Work (MSW) - Clinical Social Work
Boston College School of Social Work