Experience

SAFE Project (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic)
• United States
• Public Safety
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Executive Director

  • Jul 2023 - Present


Alsana

• United States
• Mental Health Care
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director Of Clinical Services

  • Nov 2020 - Jul 2023

  Birmingham, Alabama, United States —Director of residential services, (11/2020-1/2023) —Director of PHP/IOP services (5/2022- 7/2023) • Oversees all aspects of the program to ensure quality and initiates quality improvement that may be necessary. • Executes the direct clinical vision and outcomes of the eating disorder treatment program. • Devised new intake documentation to identify substance use disorders to concurrently address substance use and eating disorders. • Created specific interventions for… Show more —Director of residential services, (11/2020-1/2023) —Director of PHP/IOP services (5/2022- 7/2023) • Oversees all aspects of the program to ensure quality and initiates quality improvement that may be necessary. • Executes the direct clinical vision and outcomes of the eating disorder treatment program. • Devised new intake documentation to identify substance use disorders to concurrently address substance use and eating disorders. • Created specific interventions for clinicians to use when treating co-occurring substance use disorders. •Interviews, hires, and trains new therapists, dietitians, and nurses, collaborating with and/or referring to specialists in the given discipline for guidance. • Collaborates with regional leaders to guide the professional development of staff in therapists, dietitians, and nurses training and supervision. • Provides supervision of program staff to ensure that treatment is clinically appropriate, ethical, and effective. • Coordinates admissions into the Program and oversees integration into the therapeutic community. • Guarantees the treatment program operates optimally through tasks that ensure that client paperwork is up to date and in compliance with regulatory standards. • Monitors outcomes related to the effectiveness of the treatment program and addresses the strengths and weaknesses determined by said findings. • Ensures daily operations follow a planned budget. • Maintains and ensures the program operates within the guidelines of accreditation boards as appropriate, as well as increasing patient safety awareness. • Reviews stakeholder feedback in Perception of Care surveys and revises program offerings as needed. • Provides individual and group supervision to ensure consistent and effective communication among the team members, proper oversight of client development and progress. • Partners with appropriate leaders to develop, coordinate and deliver in-services, presentations and training to clients, families, and staff. Show less



Recovery Resource Center

• United States
• Wellness and Fitness Services

• Founding Program Director

  • Feb 2018 - Nov 2020

  Birmingham, Alabama • Developed, implemented, and enforced policies and procedures to facilitate the overall operation and effectiveness of the Recovery Resource Center, a collaborative initiative dedicated to simplifying the substance use treatment process by providing a central point of information. • Provided administrative leadership and management of the Resource Recovery Center, including its staff, services, and programs. • Established vision and strategic leadership for the Recovery Resource Center’s… Show more • Developed, implemented, and enforced policies and procedures to facilitate the overall operation and effectiveness of the Recovery Resource Center, a collaborative initiative dedicated to simplifying the substance use treatment process by providing a central point of information. • Provided administrative leadership and management of the Resource Recovery Center, including its staff, services, and programs. • Established vision and strategic leadership for the Recovery Resource Center’s mission, objectives, and short and long-term goals. • Effectively responded to crisis situations and employed problem-solving and decision- making skills to resolve crisis situations and/or address critical and unexpected situations. • Engaged in best practices in service delivery. • Promoted Recovery Resource Center to community and community partners through in- services, public speaking, mailings, and phone contacts. • Collaborated with the Director of Development and Communications to promote Recovery Resource Center in the community by collaborating with local media sources. • Maintained relationships and contracts within network of local service providers. • Facilitated and participated as a member of the oversight team, maintain records and related documents. • Oversaw implementation of activities outlined within the proposal to ensure successful completion and adherence to project timeline. • Conducted quality assurance on data collected by peer navigator. • Designed an appropriate outreach and prevention strategy based on local data. • Oversaw overdose prevention education and community outreach. • Worked with the oversight team to ensure the creation of a sustainability plan including researching and writing grant applications. • Submitted quarterly performance measures for review by the RRC advisory board. • Collaborated with an action researcher at University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital on data collection and analysis to identify community needs. Show less



Alexander Counseling Services

• United States
• Medical Practices

• Therapist in Private Practice

  • Oct 2017 - Feb 2019

  Birmingham, Alabama (October 2017-February 2019) Counselor • Provided individual and couples therapy for individuals ages 16 and up. • Utilized various therapeutic modalities such as CBT-E, DBT, Experiential Therapy, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing to address therapeutic issues such as eating disorders, process addictions, substance use disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and personality disorders. • Responsible for client charting including session notes and… Show more (October 2017-February 2019) Counselor • Provided individual and couples therapy for individuals ages 16 and up. • Utilized various therapeutic modalities such as CBT-E, DBT, Experiential Therapy, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing to address therapeutic issues such as eating disorders, process addictions, substance use disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and personality disorders. • Responsible for client charting including session notes and treatment planning. Show less



Magnolia Creek Treatment Center for Eating Disorders

• Clinical Director

  • Feb 2017 - Oct 2017

  Chelsea, Alabama

• Clinical Program Coordinator

  • Aug 2016 - Feb 2017

  Chelsea, Alabama

• Adjunct Therapist

  • Nov 2015 - Aug 2016

  Columbiana, Alabama • Served as an adjunct therapist for weekend programming. •Counseled patients with eating disorder diagnoses, as well as substance-related and addictive disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma disorders. • Conducted individual therapy sessions with patients as needed. • Researched, developed, and implemented both psychoeducational and process group topics on eating disordered behaviors, body image, relapse prevention, addiction disease model, 12-step recovery… Show more • Served as an adjunct therapist for weekend programming. •Counseled patients with eating disorder diagnoses, as well as substance-related and addictive disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma disorders. • Conducted individual therapy sessions with patients as needed. • Researched, developed, and implemented both psychoeducational and process group topics on eating disordered behaviors, body image, relapse prevention, addiction disease model, 12-step recovery, triggers, coping skills, trauma, and cognitive restructuring specific to group members’ ability and level of recovery commitment.


UAB Medicine
• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee
• Counselor-Substance Abuse

  • Jul 2014 - Aug 2016


Beacon Addiction Treatment Center

• Assessment Specialist

  • Jan 2014 - Jul 2014

  birmingham, alabama • Conduct ASAM assessment and determine appropriate level of care placement for clients. • Form initial individualized treatment plan with client. • Communicate with TASC, Drug Court, and Family Drug Court case managers to discuss treatment recommendations. • Participate in weekly staffing to discuss various client cases and different therapeutic approaches.

• Primary Therapist

  • Nov 2012 - Mar 2014

  chelsea, alabama • Counseled patients with eating disorder diagnoses, as well as substance-related and addictive disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma disorders. • Conducted individual therapy sessions with patients (three times weekly for residential patients, two times weekly for PHP patients). • Researched, developed, and implemented both psychoeducational and process group topics on eating disordered behaviors, body image, relapse prevention, addiction disease model, 12-step… Show more • Counseled patients with eating disorder diagnoses, as well as substance-related and addictive disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma disorders. • Conducted individual therapy sessions with patients (three times weekly for residential patients, two times weekly for PHP patients). • Researched, developed, and implemented both psychoeducational and process group topics on eating disordered behaviors, body image, relapse prevention, addiction disease model, 12-step recovery, triggers, coping skills, trauma, and cognitive restructuring specific to group members’ ability and level of recovery commitment. • Provided and assisted with experiential groups to meal outings, department stores, and pharmacies. • Competent with 12-step recovery (AA and ABA) and the addiction disease model. • Participated in multidisciplinary weekly staffing to discuss various client cases, medical concerns, nutritional stability, and different therapeutic approaches. • Responsible for designated patient charts (notes, treatment plans, etc.). • Previous experience with utilization review for insurance companies. Show less



Alabama Counseling Association

• Presenter

  • Nov 2011 - Nov 2012

  2012: "Dealing with Teens in a Media Entrenched World" 2011: "When the Over-Sexualized Girl is Your Client" *Both sessions presented with Katie White, LPC.

• Substance Abuse Counselor

  • Aug 2011 - Nov 2012

  birmingham, alabama area • Facilitated the intensive outpatient women’s substance abuse group. • Conducted individual therapy sessions with IOP clients (twice monthly per client). • Researched, developed, and implemented both psychoeducational and process group topics on relapse prevention, addiction disease model, 12-step recovery, coping skills, trauma, and cognitive restructuring specific to group members’ ability and level of recovery commitment. • Competent with 12-step recovery and the addiction disease… Show more • Facilitated the intensive outpatient women’s substance abuse group. • Conducted individual therapy sessions with IOP clients (twice monthly per client). • Researched, developed, and implemented both psychoeducational and process group topics on relapse prevention, addiction disease model, 12-step recovery, coping skills, trauma, and cognitive restructuring specific to group members’ ability and level of recovery commitment. • Competent with 12-step recovery and the addiction disease model. • Knowledgeable of Seeking Safety curriculum, utilized for PTSD and substance abuse. • Communicated with TASC and Family Drug Court Case Managers on a regular basis to assess the progress of individual clients. • Participated in weekly staffing to discuss various client cases and different therapeutic approaches. • Responsible for all case notes and treatment plans for the IOP evening women. • Proficient in ASAM assessment model and conducted two assessments per week.

• Counselor-in-Training (Intern)

  • Aug 2010 - Aug 2011

  Birmingham, Alabama Area • Co-facilitated the outpatient co-ed Day Treatment substance abuse group. • Researched, developed, and implemented both psychoeducational and process group topics on relapse prevention, addiction disease model, 12-step recovery, coping skills, trauma, and cognitive restructuring specific to group members’ ability and level of recovery commitment. • Collaborated with supervisor on group topics and process groups. • Participated in weekly staffing meetings to discuss various client… Show more • Co-facilitated the outpatient co-ed Day Treatment substance abuse group. • Researched, developed, and implemented both psychoeducational and process group topics on relapse prevention, addiction disease model, 12-step recovery, coping skills, trauma, and cognitive restructuring specific to group members’ ability and level of recovery commitment. • Collaborated with supervisor on group topics and process groups. • Participated in weekly staffing meetings to discuss various client cases and different therapeutic approaches. • Performed ASAM assessment sessions and familiar with ASAM model. • Conducted individual therapy sessions with select Day Treatment clients. • Competent with 12-step recovery and the addiction disease model. • Attended training from the Mid-South Center for Psychodrama and Sociometry to learn psychodramatic techniques to utilize with groups.



Drama Kids International

• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Lead Teacher, Summer Camp Coordinator

  • Sep 2007 - May 2010

  Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair Counties • Lead instructor and substitute teacher for children ranging from ages three to sixteen. • Trained new teachers on techniques and curriculum from DK International. • Coordinated the scheduling and enrollment of fifteen classes across Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair Counties. • Supervised teachers on teaching techniques and interpersonal skills with children. • Supervisor for group performance days for over 150 children.



The Arlington School

• United States

• Middle School/High School Instructor

  • Aug 2008 - Jun 2009

  Birmingham, Alabama Area • Developed and implemented English grammar and literature lesson plans for three middle school classes and three high school classes. • Formulated Creative Writing curriculum as well as Introduction to Drama curriculum. • Reported IEPs for students every week in order to monitor progress and assess needs. • Served as a chaperone and coordinator for school activities.