Behavioral Health Specialist

• Sep 2022 - Present

Street Outreach/Pen Pal Correspondence

• May 2017 - Present

Hospice Social Worker

• Apr 2022 - Jul 2022

Behavioral Health Specialist

• May 2021 - Apr 2022

Behavioral Health Intern

• Aug 2020 - May 2021

Reporting to Manager of Behavioral Health, responsibilities include providing psychotherapy for high risk and HIV+ clients, managing client documentation, and conducting assessments to further assist clients with treatment needs. • Provide LGBTQ+ affirming psychotherapy for a caseload of BIPOC HIV positive clients. Collaborate on treatment goals for positive mental health. • Participate in anti-racist and cultural sensitivity education, cultivating a culturally informed practice. • Engage in weekly supervision with a licensed social worker, further amplifying therapeutic skills. Successfully assisting client with goals. • Maintain strong relationships with clients to kept them engaged in their HIV care. • Utilize trauma informed care for clients who have survived sexual violence and other traumas. Promote healing and wellbeing in the therapeutic space. • Coordinate with staff including doctors, nurses, case managers, and outreach and prevention. Practice on an interprofessional team, enriching HIV care.

Residential Intern

• Aug 2019 - May 2020

Reported to Lead Case Manager, responsibilities included planning and conducting therapeutic groups, assisting with crisis intervention and using HMIS homeless management system to fulfill federal documentation requirements. • Developed first LBGTQ+ education group. Collaborated with interns to create interactive groups surrounding issues such as HIV and transgender rights. • Enhanced community center protocols for dealing with conflict by promoting the use of de-escalation techniques and Trauma Informed Care. • Navigated crisis situations and successfully descaled tenants. Successfully avoided police interventions. • Assisted tenants with career goals and work-related stressors. Created resumes, connected tenants to career services, and built self-esteem. • Spearheaded therapeutic groups such as animal-assisted therapy, and art therapy. Engaged 30+ tenants in groups to manage anxiety and depression. • Trained and became proficient in HMIS to assist organization in documentation required by HUD and the federal government.

Case Manager

• Dec 2018 - Jul 2019

Reported to Shelter Manager, responsibilities included overseeing caseload and providing case management, supporting recently homeless woman and children fleeing domestic violence, and conducting therapeutic groups. • Spearheaded 3 yoga programs for 20 + women and children living in the shelter. Integrated stress management education into classes. • Exceeded expectations as shelter staff and was promoted to case manager and trusted with a caseload shortly after onboarding. • Effectively meditated verbal and physical altercations between residents. Assisted residents with relationship skills and interpersonal issues. • Guided residents whose children were in DCFS care to utilize proper parenting skills. Mentored residents with family conflicts and trauma. • Cultivated positive, healthy relationships with shelter children. Created a sense of normalcy and joy during a high stress life transition. • Coordinated with Housing Case Managers to find permanent housing for residents fleeing from domestic violence. Successfully housed 10+ residents.