Debra Sollitto, L.C.S.W.
** ***** ******, ****** ******, New York 10312
718-***-**** *************@*****.***
SENIOR LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER ADULTS, CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS
Dedicated senior licensed social worker with 20+ years of progressive experience in behavioral and mental healthcare. Expertise in providing counseling to children and adolescents in elementary, intermediate and high school settings. Possesses a commitment to serving the needs of disadvantaged youth and adults and special-needs populations. Excels in program and organizational planning to deliver high-quality, cost-effective and comprehensive service offerings. Skilled in building community support, key coalitions and strategic interagency partnerships. Backed by solid credentials and equal strengths in program, team and case management.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Day Treatment
Developmental Disabilities, Residential Treatment
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Interventions
Behavior Modification, Emotional Issues
Disruptive Behavior Disorders, Depression, Anxiety
Special Needs, Evidenced Based Treatment
Mental Health, Diagnostic Assessment Tools
Intake Evaluations, Report Writing
Child Abuse, Maltreatment, High Risk Clients
Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities
Children, Adolescent, Adult, Elderly
Individual, Family & Group Counseling
School Based Programs, High Case Loads
Goal Setting, Treatment Plans, Community Outreach
Staff Development & In-service, Out-Patient Clinics
Psychiatric, Social & Human, Foster care
Substance Abuse, Addiction Issues
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
TheraCare, Staten Island, New York 4/2018 – Present
Social Worker
Provide screening, diagnosis and treatment to children up to 3 years old with various developmental delays in a variety of settings.
Identify caregiver support needs in order to promote the psychosocial well-being and safety of the client in their own environment.
Facilitate the enrollment and continuation of available community resources to support the client's identified needs.
Provide direct social work services.
Identify and assess levels of risk and need.
Maintain up to date assessments, care plans and reviews for all cases.
Support practice and corporate policies, goals and objectives.
Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, New York 6/2015 - Present
Psychiatric Social Worker
Maintain revolving caseload of patients, ranging in age (adults-geriatric), who suffer from a severe and persistent mental illness.
Conduct psychiatric assessments and provide recommendations through clinical evaluation.
Assign clinical diagnoses in accordance with DSM-IV Criteria and Hospital/Department of Psychiatry standards.
Conduct case presentations and consult with colleagues to determine the best treatment modality.
Conduct collateral sessions with referral sources to provide them with support, psycho-education, and treatment techniques.
Provide assessment and treatment to individuals with substance abuse and addiction issues.
Collaborate with other agencies to provide referrals for alternative forms of treatment.
Create session notes, treatment plans, psychosocial reports, and termination reports in accordance with Hospital/ Department of Psychiatry standards.
Participate in individual and group supervision and other scheduled trainings and meetings.
(Per-Diem assignment with Mobile Crisis Team.)
Staten Island Mental Health Society, Staten Island, New York 3/2000 - 6/2015
Senior Social Worker, Day Treatment Program (9/2012 – 6/2015)
Provide individual, family and group therapy to clients in an intermediate and high school based setting.
Participate in interdisciplinary team intake interviews.
Conduct treatment and education planning in coordination with parents and Department of Education staff.
Interpret diagnostics impressions and evaluations to parents.
Provide assessment and treatment to individuals with substance abuse and addiction issues.
Provides individual, dyadic, family, play and group therapy, as stipulated by treatment plans.
Document all client activity as required by New York State law and New York City contractual obligations.
Contact community providers and schools when appropriate and necessary regarding client care.
Utilize agency-specified evidence based treatment models.
Attend in-service training sessions and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings.
Contact various insurance carriers to obtain benefits for clients and their families.
Senior Social Worker, On-Site Mental Health Program (3/2000 – 9/2012)
Provided individual, family and group therapy to clients in an elementary and intermediate school based setting and in an outpatient clinic based setting.
Collaborated with the Department of Education and educational staff to facilitate treatment.
Participated in team meetings, agency in-service training program and community outreach.
Contacted and coordinated with community providers, pediatricians, schools and other entities where appropriate.
Completed Intake Evaluations, Psychosocials, Mental Status Examinations and Progress Notes.
Developed and coordinated treatment plans and goals for clients.
Contacted various insurance carriers to obtain benefits and approved authorization for clients and their families.
Maintained regular communication with psychiatrists, nurses and physicians responsible for the care of clients.
Complied with NYS Mental Hygiene and other laws pertinent to patient care, clinical records, and child abuse/neglect reporting and documentation.
Great Kills Psychological and Social Work Associates, P.C., Staten Island, New York 4/2001 – 8/2004
Heartland Psychological Services, P.C., Staten Island, New York 9/1999 – 4/2001
Psychotherapist
Provided individual and family therapy to clients.
Completed Intake Assessments for clients.
Developed and coordinated treatment plans and goals for clients.
Attended weekly group supervision sessions.
Independent Living Association, Inc., Brooklyn, New York 3/1997 – 3/2000
Residence Supervisor
Managed on-going daily operations of Intermediate Care Facility serving the needs of ten developmentally disabled adults.
Directed regular staff supervision and staffing needs for facility.
Provided individual, group and family therapy to clients and their families.
Worked cooperatively with all residential staff for the purpose of planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating both individual client service plans and total residence program goals.
Led immediate community liaison activities.
Little Flower Children’s Services of New York, Brooklyn, New York 11/1996 – 3/1997
Enhanced Care Unit Supervisor
Supervised and trained caseworkers in a unit that specializes in handling foster care services for special needs children.
Provided HIV/AIDS training and counseling.
Conducted therapeutic interventions to foster parents and natural parents of children.
Corresponded with outside agencies to obtain services for children and their families.
Independent Living Association, Inc., Brooklyn, New York 7/1993 – 11/1996
Residence Client Coordinator, Q.M.R.P.
Designed behavioral objectives for 10 developmentally disabled adults in a residential setting.
Directed and oversaw staff to ensure efficiency of client services and documentation of all services and activities.
Wrote quarterly and annual Psychosocials.
Maintained linkage with families and outside referral sources, such as day treatment programs for clients.
EDUCATION:
New York University, School of Social Work, New York: Master of Social Work, May 1996
The College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Major, May 1993
LICENSURE:
New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker
TRAINING:
Child Abuse and Maltreatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Coping Power and Parent Training for Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Practical Front Line Assistance and Support for Healing
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Evidence Based Treatment
Depression
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Certified Levels One and Two