Director of Admissions and Program Evaluation

• Mar 2023 - Present

Program Director

• Oct 2021 - Mar 2023

Manage the clinical oversight, program development, and evaluation of a transitional living community in Chicago committed to supporting young adults striving for academic, vocational, and social success.

Assistant Program Director: Emerging Adults Division

• Oct 2019 - Oct 2021

Provide clinical and operational guidance of multidisciplinary therapeutic programming, serving 120 adolescents and young adults experiencing SMI, First Episode of Psychosis, and Clinical High Risk. Supervise team leaders in order to manage acute crises within service teams, provide professional development to staff, and promote ongoing trauma informed care. Conduct staff trainings and consultations in CBTp, ACT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and other clinical topics. Coordinate with executive leadership, research and evaluation, and external academic partners to make decisions related to program development and improvement. Developed and implemented cognitive training interventions within 3 clinical teams.Contribute supervisory and direct practice knowledge to research projects related to fidelity scaling of innovative community team models, in order to support national replication and development Led wellness initiatives and evaluation to identify keys areas to reduce direct staff burnout and build resiliency in community mental health Show less

Clinical Team Lead: Emerge Chicago

• May 2018 - Oct 2019

Responsible for oversight and day to day operation of Emerge Chicago CST team, a specialized treatment team of mental health services targeted to transition age youth, 18-26. Supervise a team caseload of 50 young adult clients with serious mental illness delivering services in the community. Provide direct clinical supervision to 6 Emerge master’s level staff to develop clinical skills and promote professional development. Maintain a caseload of 8-10 high-risk individuals and provide therapy with individual and families. Implement programmatic changes to improve staff morale, efficiency, and productivity. Show less

Therapist

• Nov 2017 - May 2018

Utilized evidence based treatment approaches in working with young adults including CBT, DBT, ACT, MI, and harm reduction. Coordinated social opportunities for clients through community partnerships. Supervised bachelor level staff to support clinical development. Provided consultation to staff on best practices for therapeutic approaches. Developed and planned small group therapy programs targeting young adults who struggle with engagement in traditional services. Coached staff on best practices for care plans and mental health assessment to support quality improvement. Show less

Clinical Support Specialist

• Feb 2017 - Nov 2017

Provide supportive services to young adults from 18-24 through case management and therapeutic interventions. Utilize motivational interviewing, harm reduction, DBT, ACT, and additional mindfulness-based clinical skills to support clients. Develop strengths-based treatment goals with clients to establish plans of care. Complete in-depth clinical assessments to ensure criteria and appropriate level of care are met. Coordinate social opportunities for young adults through community partnerships. Collaborate with researchers to provide relevant data to ensure program efficacy and provide recommendations for program changes. Show less

Clinical Social Work Intern

• Mar 2016 - Dec 2016

Conducted psychosocial assessments with individuals diagnosed with substance use and co-morbid disorders in a setting that serves clients from medical detox to intensive outpatient programs. Provided group and individual counseling to adults, utilizing motivational interviewing techniques and mindfulness-based relapse prevention strategies. Developed and facilitated groups on DBT, ACT, CBT, and Mindfulness. Provided case management assistance in support of therapeutic team; and conducted brief short-term interventions using trauma-informed care practices. Show less

Clinical Research Consultant

• Jan 2014 - Apr 2015

Analyzed data from randomized clinical trials in support of an evidence based online CBT program for veterans. Conducted all relevant literature reviews, co-authored White Papers, policy briefs, and grant proposals to secure funding from philanthropic and government organizations. Acted as liaison between CEO and research related entities. Assisted in development of a Peer Support training program to broaden online services and mental health access for veterans and their families. Created and maintained organization's social media presence and wrote original blog content on relevant mental health topics. Show less

Masters Level Clinical Student Intern

• Sep 2014 - Mar 2015

Conducted individual and group support sessions aimed at assisting clients in transitioning from nursing facilities to independent living environments. Created a curriculum for purpose of leading weekly group sessions.Provided education and assistance with applying for services such as RTA free ride, LIHEAP, SNAP, SSDI, and Medicare or Medicaid. Performed site visits to nursing facilities and conducted all sessions in their preferred environments. Conducted individual and group support sessions aimed at assisting clients in transitioning from nursing facilities to independent living environments. Created a curriculum for purpose of leading weekly group sessions.Provided education and assistance with applying for services such as RTA free ride, LIHEAP, SNAP, SSDI, and Medicare or Medicaid. Performed site visits to nursing facilities and conducted all sessions in their preferred environments.

Student Intern and Advocate

• Aug 2013 - Jun 2014

Worked with under-resourced populations to connect them to a variety of supportive services. Linked members with opportunities to combat poverty such as, housing, employment coaching, health care, and criminal record expungement. Conducted an independent research study to examine LIFT’s services as an intervention on securing employment. Worked with under-resourced populations to connect them to a variety of supportive services. Linked members with opportunities to combat poverty such as, housing, employment coaching, health care, and criminal record expungement. Conducted an independent research study to examine LIFT’s services as an intervention on securing employment.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

• Aug 2013 - Jun 2014

Provided research assistance for the Women's Stress and Support Study with Dr. Sarah Ullman. A longitudinal study funded by the National Institute of Health examining sexual assault, social reactions and problem drinking. Conducted data entry, analysis, and literature reviews. Provided research assistance for the Women's Stress and Support Study with Dr. Sarah Ullman. A longitudinal study funded by the National Institute of Health examining sexual assault, social reactions and problem drinking. Conducted data entry, analysis, and literature reviews.

Case Management Intern

• Aug 2013 - Feb 2014

Assisted the case management team in working with refugee and asylee clients who had experienced trauma and torture. Referred clients for medical, forensic, and mental health evaluations, legal assistance for asylum cases, housing assistance programs & medical care. Assisted the case management team in working with refugee and asylee clients who had experienced trauma and torture. Referred clients for medical, forensic, and mental health evaluations, legal assistance for asylum cases, housing assistance programs & medical care.

Rape Crisis Counselor/Medical & Legal Advocate Volunteer

• Jan 2010 - Dec 2013

Provide crisis intervention, emotional support and medical/legal advocacy to sexual assault survivors in the emergency room. Completed 56 hour ICASA certified training program. Provide crisis intervention, emotional support and medical/legal advocacy to sexual assault survivors in the emergency room. Completed 56 hour ICASA certified training program.

Financial Advisor

• Aug 2005 - Aug 2013

Worked with clients to build and establish relationships and manage their portfolios. Responsible for maintaining appointments and providing in depth knowledge in regards to their finances. Regularly made professional phone calls becoming comfortable working in a scripted and professional environment. Worked with clients to build and establish relationships and manage their portfolios. Responsible for maintaining appointments and providing in depth knowledge in regards to their finances. Regularly made professional phone calls becoming comfortable working in a scripted and professional environment.