Counselor

Objective: To identify a Human Service career which would provide the opportunity to utilize present skills and knowledge and to expand upon these further.

P R O F E S S I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E

White Deer Run•••••Allenwood, PA •••••
March ••••• - September •••••

COUNSELOR: Residential drug and alcohol treatment, serving patients afflicted with the disease of addiction. Maintained accurate and current records ensuring that all requirements of Federal and State Regulations were met and in full compliance. Responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing patient treatment via biopsychsocial assessments, master treatment planning, facilitation of group and individual therapy sessions, and weekly lectures related to chemical dependency and treatment. Provided documentation and maintained ongoing communication with courts, probation and parole departments, and referral sources as needed. Weekly utilization review reports detailing patients involvement in treatment and goals achieved. Maintained contact with family members and assisted with the White Deer Run Family Program. Assisted in the development of outpatient aftercare recovery planning and completed discharge summaries to include treatment course, response to goals, progress, and aftercare. Participated in ongoing training sessions to expand knowledge of chemical dependency, weekly clinical team meetings, and maintained a working knowledge of •••••step support groups (Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon).

PA Department of Corrections•••••SCI-Muncy
Muncy, PA •••••
May ••••• - March •••••

CORRECTIONS COUNSELOR II: Developed and implemented abuse counseling program for the inmate (female) population utilizing the Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse curriculum. Facilitated in/outpatient and aftercare group/individual treatment services for victims of physical and sexual violence with a history of chemical dependency. Evaluated inmate needs for programming, maintained prioritized waiting list, coordinated Family Violence programming, prepared treatment plans; coordinated activities of inmate peer facilitators and provided training as needed; provided written reports for Pre-Release, Parole, and Commutation, assisted with the Diagnostic Classification Center and General Population casework, provided individual counseling to Capital Case inmates, facilitated staff training Women offenders in Pennsylvania, member of institutional Hostage Negotiation Team and Critical Stress Management Teams.

SCI-Muncy•••••April ••••• - May •••••

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES SPECIALIST: Provided mental health services for the inmate population assigned to the Restricted Housing Unit under disciplinary and administrative custody. Independently coordinated prescribed treatment services to ensure that these inmates received counseling, psychiatric, and psychological services. Provided written psychological reports for classification, pre-release, parole violators, clinical interview results, parole summaries, updates and evaluations, and suicide reviews. Assessed inmates experiencing a mental health crisis by utilizing psychological techniques intended to modify behavior and to also determine the risk of a danger to self or others. Participated in weekly Psychiatric Review Team meetings to provide information, evaluation and monitoring of inmates in need of crisis intervention, plan development, and/or continuity of care.

SCI-Muncy•••••January ••••• - April •••••

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES ASSOCIATE: Conducted inmate counseling and therapy utilizing individual and group methods of behavior change for mentally ill/dual diagnosed inmates, assigned to the institutions Restricted Housing Unit, Behavioral Assessment Unit, and Bedford County Correctional Facility. Provided written psychological reports for classification, pre-release, parole violators, clinical interview results, parole summaries, updates and evaluations, and suicide reviews. Assessed inmates experiencing a mental health crisis by utilizing psychological techniques intended to modify behavior and to also determine the risk of a danger to self or others. Participated in weekly Psychiatric Review Team meetings to provide information, evaluation and monitoring of inmates in need of crisis intervention, plan development, and/or continuity of care.

Selinsgrove Center•••••Commonwealth of PA - DPW
Selinsgrove, PA •••••
July ••••• - January •••••

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES ASSOCIATE: Maintained a caseload of ••••• non-verbal, severely mentally and behaviorally challenged women. Assessed each individuals skill and adaptive behavior by utilizing psychological instruments and interpreting behavior assessment data. Assisted in developing an individualized habilitation program for each individual by conferring with and/or providing written information to members of the Interdisciplinary Team. Provided supportive psychological services to individuals; developed, implemented and monitored individualized behavior programs by collecting and interpreting baseline data, selected appropriate operant techniques, writing and reviewing programs with the Interdisciplinary Team and trained unit staff in utilization of behavioral support techniques.

E D U C A T I O N

Lincoln University•••••Oxford, PA
August ••••• - May •••••

Masters Degree - Human Services
Research and Masters Thesis - Female Offenders and the effect of her incarceration on her dependent children.

PA College of Technology•••••Williamsport, PA
January ••••• - May •••••

Major: Human Services

O R G A N I Z A T I O N S

PI Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences•••••
January ••••• - Present




References available upon request