Substance Abuse Counselor / 2010 — September, 2022

I worked with active duty service members for 12 years. I conducted focused psychosocial assessments with my patients. Skill in a range of treatment modalities with individuals and group counseling and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues, etc. on the psychosocial treatment of patients, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker / September, 2022 — Present

I am a newly hired Licensed Clinical Social Worker with General Mental Health. I am conducting focused psychosocial assessments with veterans. Along with a Psychologist, I am the co-facilitator of the weekly PTSD Coping Skills Class. We discuss the effects of PTSD and provide attendees with tools to help them manage those symptoms. I recently completed the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain protocol. Reconceptualization of pain involves helping the veterans move from a view of pain as purely sensory/biomedical to more multidimensional. Veterans learn how pain is influenced by the adoption of active coping strategies and by changes in physical or emotional functioning. This component of CBT involves learning cognitive and behavioral skills that may be used to reduce the impact of factors such as negative thinking or deconditioning on the experience of chronic pain. This process begins with providing a rationale for and description of the skill, followed by practice of the skill both during and after the session. Subsequent review of practice hones skills and reinforces learning.

Ministry Leader / March, 2016 — Present

I coordinated with Celebrate Recovery State Representatives in establishing and training for this brand-new Christ-centered 12 Step Program that is open to the public. Adhere to national policies and practice guidelines for the maintenance of this program and safety of all attendees. Provided virtual groups throughout COVID-19 and attendance grew beyond the local city and state. Responsible for the entire recovery ministry and management of finances. Select and schedule teachers and testimonies for weekly meetings. Oversee all volunteers, leaders, adults and children associated with the recovery ministry. Provide spiritual counseling and support for the leaders, volunteers and attendees. Serve as the main contact with the Senior Pastor and church staff. CR uses the same 12 Steps utilized by Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. We also use 8 Recovery Principles from the Beatitudes in the Bible. CR is in over 35,000 churches in the world. It's not just for people struggling with drug and alcohol addictions, but people are finding freedom from all sorts of hurts, habits, and hang-ups. This is not therapy but it is a support group that meets on Mondays from 7-9 pm.

Renal Social Worker / December, 2008 — June, 2010

Provided case management functions, conducted psychosocial assessments, collaborated with community resources, coordinated the provision of services with other agencies and provided information and referral services to patients and/or families living chronic kidney disease. Counseled patients regarding the disease process; empowered them to practice coping strategies; and encouraged them to incorporate healthy lifestyle changes and eliminate the use of harmful substances for improved quality of life.