Mental Health Treatment

Megan Watt-Castor MS, LPC, LAT, LAC

Address: *** **** ********* **** **. 82443

Email: ******@****.***

Cell: 307-***-****

Objective: I am a qualified applicant seeking an opportunity with an organization which requires the implementation of learned and practiced skills using mental health or substance abuse therapeutic models. I have an in-depth understanding of mental health and chemical dependency. I am currently certificated as a master’s level Substance Abuse and Mental Health therapist. I obtained my Master’s degree in the mental health agency track at South Dakota State University. I completed all of the substance abuse treatment core courses through the University of South Dakota. I have over 13 years of experience in working with substance abuse, mental health, SPMI youth and adults, families, and correctional offenders. I have been employed in all different agency settings from inpatient, outpatient, detox, corrections, working with ages 8 to elderly.

Personal Strengths and Skills

Specialize in working with Trauma/PTSD

Specialize in working with Families

In-depth understanding of the DSM IV and V

In-depth understanding of the addiction process

Effective communication skills

Detail oriented

Excellent time-management and organizational skills, self-motivated, disciplined, and always meets assignments due dates

Able to identify and meet short-term and long-term goals

Ability to develop and implement treatment requirements and programs

Development and implementation of programs

Grant writing and development

Formal Education

Excelsior High School Diploma, Victorville CA, 1999

Barstow Community College, Barstow CA, 2000-2002

Associate of Science Degree, emphasis in Biology and Chemistry, Spring 2002

Dean’s List- four semesters

Academic Achievement for maintaining a GPA above 3.0-four semesters

Who’s who in Community College, 2001

Black Hills State University, Spearfish SD, 2004- May 13, 2006

Bachelors in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology

Academic Achievement for maintaining a GPA above 3.0-three semesters

University of South Dakota Master level’s Chemical Dependency track, 2011- August 24, 2012 GPA 4.0

South Dakota State University, Mental Health Agency track, August 27, 2012-March of 2015

Additional Education and Certification

American Red Cross, 1996-2011

Disaster Action Team Leader

Rapid City Police Department 04/12/2008, Street Gang Subculture: Awareness, Recognition, Response

Cognitive Behavior concept training 2007

Safe Crisis Management Instructor 09/10/2009

Training: Substitute Decision Making 8/15/09

Training: The Addictive personality, treatment implication 10/10/08

The Science of Recovery by CC Nuckols 2012

Suicide prevention training 7/13

Program development 06/13

Professional leaders training 09/2013

Lakota perceptive, views, and integration 6/14

Sudden and Traumatic Loss 9/14

Motivational Interviewing 5/15

Medication Certified 04/09/2009-current

First Aid and CPR Certified-current

South Dakota DUI instructor 2012-current

Trauma Informed Care 2017

DAL-20 Trainer 2018

Work Experience

Lutheran Social Services Canyon Hills, Residential Supervisor, Spearfish, South Dakota, Interned from 2004 till advanced to full time Supervisor on Feb. 28, 2005-July 18,2008

Worked with 30 youth and parents; understanding and use of cognitive behavioral principles, Maintained individual records, supervised medications, directed group therapy, conducted group outings, managed clients schedules and court pressings, knowledge of client history and treatment plans in the resident placement process and addiction counseling. I provided direct supervision of employees and clients. Maintained documentation on staff and clients, Prepared a schedule for all staff.

Behavior Management Systems, Care Case Manager for the Northern Hills, Spearfish, South Dakota, July 18, 2008- November 19, 2009

Coordinated and established eligibility service between agencies. Helped assist, locate, coordinate, and monitor financial resources for SPMI clients. Understanding mental health medication and assisted in medication management. I worked to ensure emergency services to clients in crisis, assisted in documenting client’s actions, progress, and mental status in charts as required by state and federal law. Provided direct client assistances and support with daily scheduling, living activities, and assisted in developing social skills with social understanding. Supported client treatment planning and monitored progress with other agencies.

Northern Hills Alcohol and Drug Services, CCDCIII, Sturgis, South Dakota, January 4, 2010 to May 2013

Developed and implemented an individualized treatment approach, while preparing written recovery plans for each client. Performed chemical dependency evaluations and mental health assessments; provide recommendations to the courts, attorneys, families, department of social services, and etc. Contact and refer to other agencies. Provided treatment for Drug Court participants. Provided individual counseling sessions with adults and youth. Worked with families and facilitate family sessions. Prepared, facilitate and delivered educational topics in an After Care program, Intensive Outpatient treatment program, and pretreatment groups. Developed and implemented new treatment programs such as the pretreatment programming and the adolescent youth wise program in Spearfish.

Addiction Family Resources, Chemical Dependency Counselor CCDCIII, LAC, Belle Fourche, South Dakota, May of 2013 to February 14, 2014

Development, expansion and application of new programing for inpatient and outpatient treatment services; implemented individualized approach to counseling. Prepared written recovery plans, progress notes, and individuals discharge procedures for each client. Performed chemical dependency evaluations and mental health assessments for adults and adolescents; provided recommendations to the courts, attorneys, families, department of social services, and etc. Contact and refer to other agencies. Provided individual counseling services for adults, adolescent, and families. Worked with families and facilitate family sessions. Prepared, facilitated and delivered educational topics in an inpatient and outpatient treatment setting. I completed and evaluated suicide risk for the Belle Fourche police department. Developed and implemented new treatment programs such as the New Start and the Out of Bounds program for school age adolescent in the Spearfish and Belle Fourche area.

West Care of Wyoming and Gateway, Wyoming Department of Corrections, Substance Abuse Senior Counselor, Newcastle, Wyoming, March of 2014 to September of 2015.

I am responsible for the day-to-day assessment, substance abuse counseling and treatment program functions, as well as clinical staff supervision. I am responsible for 47 inmates ages 16 to 25, with diagnosable mental health or substance abuse conditions. Provide treatment groups at level 3.5, 3.7, 2.1, and 1.0. Counseling directives and treatment programming is centered on the individual inmate’s needs. Complete treatment needs assessments. Insure and conduct all intakes, clinical documentation, discharge summaries, Community Re-entry.

Volunteers of America, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor, Sheridan and Riverton, Wyoming, October of 2015 to Current.

I am responsible for the day-to-day assessment, substance abuse and mental health counseling and treatment program functions. Services are provided at level 3.5, 3.1, 2.1, and 1.0. I am responsible for 42 male clients ages 18 to 80, with diagnosable mental health or substance abuse conditions. Provide treatment to individuals and their families. Facilitate Family educational and Trauma groups. Meet with and provided individual counseling session. Counseling directives and treatment programming is centered on the individual needs. Complete treatment needs assessments. Insure and conduct all intakes, clinical documentation, discharge summaries, Community Re-entry. Working with and assisting clients to move from Social Detox to Pre-treatment primary goal attend inpatient treatment and stabilization of mental health through providing counseling services and medication management.

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