Independent Contractor

• Jul 2020 - Present

Clinician

• Aug 2020 - Present

Co-Occurring Outpatient Clinician. Co-Occurring Outpatient Clinician.

Intensive In Home Counselor

• Nov 2017 - Jun 2020

Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor providing intensive, in-community services for youth which utilize a client-centered family systems approach to service delivery to address a child and family’s specific behavioral and emotional challenges Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor providing intensive, in-community services for youth which utilize a client-centered family systems approach to service delivery to address a child and family’s specific behavioral and emotional challenges

Lead Dual Disorder Specialist LCADC PACT program/Clinical Supervisor

• Nov 2017 - Apr 2020

After identifiying, assessing, and documenting substance use effects and patterns of persons served engage in the provision of individualized dual disorder services - interventions may be offered via individual and/or group modalities. PACT provides direct behavioral health and social service care to severely and persistently mentally ill (SPMI) patients who have failed in traditional outpatient treatment with team members addressing the biopsychosocial needs of those served through a multidisciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, vocational specialists and substance abuse counselors. In addition to the provision of direct client care in the community, responsible for the education of staff and persons served about interactive effects of substances use, development of coping skills, and alternatives to minimize substance use. Also responsible for the supervision of the substance abuse specialists serving on the various PACT teams.

Director of Substance Abuse Services

• Mar 2015 - Nov 2017

POSITION SUMMARY: The Family Service Bureau of Newark (FSB), an affiliate of NCC, Director of Substance Abuse Services (DSAS) - Under the direction of the program Executive Director, the DSAS is responsible for all substance abuse services provided by FSB of Newark at both the Newark and Kearney sites while promoting the organization’s mission, providing leadership, and expanding the current services provided. In addition the DSAS provides staff supervision and supervision of Interns as well as program evaluation and reporting in accordance with regulations established by DMHAS and NCC’s policies and procedures. Responsible for developing outpatient programs utilizing opportunities to expand service and monitor the overall program’s clinical compliance as per DMHAS regulations.

Clinical Supervisor Alternative Addictions Program

• Dec 2013 - Mar 2015

Responsible for the management of the daily operations and coordination of all service delivery for the Living In Balance addiction treatment program, which provides treatment at a total of 13 facilities across New Jersey. Duties include clinical supervision of 3 full-time counselors, as well as provision of direct treatment services. The position is based out of Newark, and requires monthly travel to the various sites for the provision of both Group and Individual Supervision services RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: • Provision of clinical supervision to staff delivering treatment to individuals with substance abuse and/or mental health disorders. • Oversight of client services and compliance with established program standards and service delivery objectives, including auditing client records. • Responsibility for recruitment, orientation, training, scheduling, and evaluation of assigned staff. • Service as a resource to assigned staff in identifying and resolving complex case problems. • Provision of direct treatment at Northern State's pilot Alternative Addiction Living in Balance Program including group counseling, maintaining clinical documentation, performing case management services, and monitoring 12-step support groups.

Licensed Counselor

• Mar 2013 - Dec 2013

Responsible for the provision of Individual Counseling services and Assessment of Union County Drug Court Clients in our IOP Evening Program. Monthly reassessment of clients, regular communications with Probation Officers and Substance Abuse Evaluators, Multidisciplinary Team Meetings to review individual client progress and make supported recommendations to Drug Court for step down to Outpatient or the need for a higher level of care including residential inpatient. Ongoing provision of services to Essex County IDRC Clients including Assessments as per contract requirements and counseling services dependent upon ASAM LOCI results.

Outpatient Counselor Coordinator

• Feb 2013 - Dec 2013

Carry out DAS Medicaid departmental duties in the absence of the Director Provide training for counseling staff and supervise and monitor counselors' progress toward CADC certification. Reviews of counselor production, performance of probationary and annual performance evaluations for unit counselors and ensure counselor adherence to and participation in corporate compliance program and maintenance of highest ethical and legal standards. Conduct Unit Meetings and document counselor participation. Discuss job performance or other problems with unit counselors that may require improvement and/or disciplinary action and properly document in Supervision Notes. Assist counselors with organization of their caseloads and assist with and review counselor correspondence and Client Service Contracts; Document Multi-disciplinary Case Conferences and client Staffings. Completion of potential new client intake screenings, ensure that cases are properly assigned, completion of clinical chart reviews, completion of Discharge Clinical Supervisors forms on each discharge submitted by counselors. Oversight of client disciplinary matters and arrangement of appropriate referrals to other agencies and resources when appropriate. Supervise and monitor counselors' progress toward C.A.D.C Certification; including quarterly provision of live supervision. Monitoring and supervision of the completion of client NJSAM ASI, ASAM-LOCI, Biopyschosocial Assessment, treatment plan, progress notes, treatment plan reviews, discharge summaries, transition plans, and other documentation necessary for client's clinical chart. Preparation and submission of weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports of DAS Medicaid unit activities. Provision of counseling services to seventeen (17) SAI/TANF clients on a weekly basis and all required documentation and chart maintenance.

Substance Abuse Counselor

• Jun 2009 - Feb 2013

Developed comprehensive treatment plans for patients diagnosed with opioid addiction based upon various assessment tools such as the Addiction Severity Index, Level of Care, and comprehensive biopsycosocials and summary reports. Effectively managed time and caseloads based on 30 individual sessions per week for Level I clients or 14 individual sessions and three 3 hour groups per week for 14 Level II.1 clients. Documented all patient information including assessment, treatment plans and progress notes. Collaborated closely with treatment team to appropriately coordinate client care services. Referred clients to other programs and community agencies to enhance treatment processes. Developed with client input, comprehensive strengths based treatment plans which focused on shared goals based upon accurate diagnosis and an integrated approach to the treatment of problems. Effective integration of services and the efficient coordination of care to coordinate and monitor a mix of medical, psychological, and supportive services. Consulted with clinic physician and medical staff including nursing about client medication changes, issues with medicine compliance and efficacy of medications. Conducted outreach, advocacy and rehabilitative services for regular cases and crisis intervention. Documented all patient information including service plans, treatment reports and progress notes in DMHAS CARF Accredited Opioid Treatment Facility. Researched and familiarized with policies and regulations for methadone maintenance facilities including Federal Regulations and State Regulations governing Opioid Maintenance Treatment facilities. Collaboration with DYFS in working with pregnant woman receiving treatment through "Specialized Women's Services" Program recently instituted at TLC III and responding to all subpoenas and requests for information Provision of trauma-informed care and trauma-specific services to empower affected clients

Senior Call Specialist - Supervisor

• Dec 2010 - Dec 2011

Referred callers to Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) approved programs and community agencies to obtain addictions services after having screened for eligibility and appropriateness. Provided crisis management and suicide assessments for those callers deemed to be in crisis through the information gathering portion of the referral process. Reported agency reportable events to DMHAS Evaluated and monitored call specialists' phone screenings and identified areas of strengths and needs to ensure compliance with agency protocol during monthly call monitoring reviews. Properly trained and supervised call specialists. Utilized active listening and motivational interviewing techniques with callers

Substance Abuse Counselor

• Feb 2009 - Jun 2009

Interacted with clinical staff and external insurance companies as part of daily continuing service reviews (CSRs) for 14 client caseload in an intensive residential rehabilitation program for clients experiencing sub-acute biomedical and emotional or cognitive problems sever enough to warrant inpatient care. Taught clients relapse prevention techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills and functional living skills. Created and reviewed master treatment and discharge plans for each client on caseload, many of which had co-occurring issues. Led clients in individual, family, group and marital therapy sessions in intensive inpatient residential program, gradual re-entry phase, and aftercare/outpatient component portion of program.

Senior Counselor

• Jan 2008 - Feb 2009

Referenced and used various family therapy techniques when working with individual clients and their families including strategic, family systems, solution-focused, and structural family therapy. Referred clients to other programs and community agencies to enhance treatment processes as part of case management, discharge planning, and aftercare planning; Effectively managed time and caseloads based on bi-monthly individual sessions for a caseload of 35 adult men, 2 weekly caseload groups, weekly specialty groups, and daily didactic lectures for 152 residents of a modified therapeutic community New Jersey Department of Corrections halfway house. Taught clients relapse prevention techniques such as how to stop self-defeating behaviors and change addictive thought patterns, how to manage feelings and emotions responsibly, and identifying, challenging and changing mistaken core beliefs which promote irrational thinking Taught clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills and functional living skills. Developed and implemented the curriculum for a family issues and relapse prevention specialty group. Provided daily didactic educational lectures which focused on structured relapse education and provided specific information on recovery, relapse, and relapse prevention planning methods geared toward both substance abuse and other addictive behaviors including gambling and the criminal lifestyle Documented all patient information including service plans, treatment reports and progress notes. Conducted in house training on Family Roles and Stages of Development for staff of the Harbor

Substance Abuse Counselor

• Feb 2005 - Jun 2007

Effectively managed time and caseloads based on 30 sessions per week for 10 residents living in transitional housing portion of program and for caseloads based on 15 sessions per week for aftercare clients in-home. Recorded comprehensive patient substance abuse histories and coordinated treatment plans with multi- disciplinary team members. Efficiently gathered information from referring agencies and social services agencies to inform development of treatment plans. Diagnosed substance abuse disorders for diagnosed HIV+ residents in transitional housing facility after conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments. Quickly responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and behavioral issues arose. Led patients in individual and group relapse prevention sessions based upon 12-step philosophy Efficiently and appropriately referred clients to adjunct services within the community to help manage chronic illness Conducted outreach, advocacy and rehabilitative services for regular cases and crisis intervention. Collaborated closely with treatment team to appropriately coordinate client care services. Interacted with clinical staff and external resources such as medical providers and social service agency personnel. Consulted with psychiatrists and medical providers at Morristown Healthcare Clinic about client medication changes, issues with medicine compliance and efficacy of medications. Referred clients to other programs and community agencies to enhance treatment processes. Guided clients in understanding illnesses and treatment plans. Tracked and compiled units of substance abuse service for various grant writing and grant requirements Prepared statistics and units of services delivered for preparation of Ryan White Grant to cover substance abuse treatment component of program.