Experience

• 

  BERKSHIRE PSYCHIATRIC & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, P.C.

  • Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, United States

  • Licensed Professional Counselor

    • Jun 2022 - Present
    • Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, United States

    -Provide psychotherapy with individuals 14 years and older with mental illness and/or co-occurring mental health illness and drug and alcohol issues. -Provide individual evaluation initiating therapeutic services, including suicide risk assessments-Apply knowledge and experience of the core fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient problems and maintaining an effective therapeutic relationship-Maintain all required patient documentation via EMS Programming

• 

  Project Transition SOS

  • Reading, Pennsylvania, United States

  • Lead Therapist

    • Aug 2021 - Jun 2022
    • Reading, Pennsylvania, United States

    -Provide and oversee client clinical care, individual therapy and group therapy while helping to lead a DBT, Trauma and Person-Centered program environment-Participate and collaborate in a multidisciplinary treatment Team with significant clinical leadership and partnering with program psychiatrist and Program Director-In addition to supervising clinician, support clients and the treatment team in facilitating a therapeutic recovery community and treatment milieu

• 

  T.W. PONESSA & ASSOCIATES COUNSELING SERVICES, INC

  • 15 South 9th Street, Lebanon, PA

  • Licensed Professional Counselor

    • Aug 2016 - Aug 2021
    • 15 South 9th Street, Lebanon, PA

    -Provide individualized psychotherapy with adults 18 and older with mental illness and/or co-occurring mental health illness and drug and alcohol issues.-Have experience working with clients of Intellectual Disability-Advanced knowledge and mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining client problems and maintaining an effective counseling relationship-Perform psychosocial and suicide risk assessments -Ability to provide complex crisis intervention and stabilization to clients who are in psychological distress-Develop, monitor, and update treatment plans -Monitor medication management and coordinate with the medical department on behalf of the client and the organization -Maintain client files to the required standards of up to 75 insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid

• 

  Service Access & Management, Inc.

  • Pottsville, Pennsylvania, United States

  • Housing Specialist

    • Dec 2011 - Feb 2013
    • Pottsville, Pennsylvania, United States

    -Serve as a resource to community members and professionals outside of the organization who seek to assist individuals with severe and persistent mental health illness and/or co-occurring mental health illness and drug and alcohol issues and intellectual disabilities obtain various housing options-Pursue and submit grants and other financial opportunities that will enhance and expand housing opportunities in Schuylkill County-Assist individuals with severe and persistent mental health illness and/or co-occurring mental health illness and drug and alcohol issues as well as intellectual disabilities by developing and maintaining the supports and skills needed by individuals to live independently in the community of their choice-Provide highly individualized support services in conjunction with the individual, family and team members-Chair, organize and lead the LHOT (Local Housing Options Team) board toward expanding resources for the homeless and near homeless in Schuylkill County

• 

  YMCA of Reading and Berks County

  • Reading, Pennsylvania, United States

  • Housing Director & Clinical Supervisor

    • 1992 - 2011
    • Reading, Pennsylvania, United States

    -Complete day-to-day responsibility for managing 160-unit multi-program transitional and permanent housing facility including developing and managing a budget of approximately $1.8 million -Provide direct clinical supervision for over 20 staff members in the Housing Department including 10 full time counselors/case managers -Develop, plan, and write all proposals for specialized grants with city, county, state, and federal government-Administer and manage all grant money including all required monthly, quarterly, and annual reports-Represent YMCA within the community at a variety of community housing and government forums-Ensure physical plant is appropriately maintained including negotiating and overseeing maintenance and housekeeping services and working with architects and construction engineers on building rehabilitation and improvements