Mental Health Customer Service

Maria Blankenship

**********@***.***

Telephone**0-632-4079

**** ******* *****, *** ******, WA 98277

Maria Teresa Blankenship, MA, LMHCA, MHPII, CDPT provides individual psychotherapy and case management to individuals of all ages. She is influenced by Humanistic Existential therapy and likes doing in-depth psychotherapy from a client-center perspective. She specializes in working with trauma and people with addictions. She is fully bilingual in Spanish and English.

EXPERIENCE

Tri-Essence Care, PLLC

Master Level Mental Health Therapist 15/August/2015- Present

Master's level Bilingual (English/Spanish)Counseling Therapist responsible for assessment and diagnosing of individuals, military families, disadvantage and high-risk persons that have experience trauma. She has provided therapy to children and their families, including some individual therapy for parents. IN addition she has provided case management and consultation with PCP’s, Parole/Probation, DHS Child Welfare, Drug and Alcohol providers, and other community partners.

Whispering Pines Counseling and Social Services

Owner and Mental Health Professional February 2014- August 2015

I have a proven ability to provide high standard quality of care that is in line with current evidence-based models of practice and national practice standards. My commitment to continuing professional development, combined with my career experience and qualifications, allows me to confidently and capably develop innovative and responsive health services to meet my clients’ needs. In my current role as Mental Health Outreach Worker I use a recovery-oriented model of service and client participation as an important part of the program activities. I consistently evaluate interventions and initiatives using outcome measures and adjust my program depending on changes to my clients’ health, environment and circumstances.

In addition, in my current role as sole proprietor, I have developed and maintained strong relationships with a local network of agencies to provide clients with access to the widest range of services available. I also work within a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, nurses and occupational therapists to meet the complex needs of clients. My ability to understand my clients’ needs and work with a broad range of professionals from many different sectors has been key to my success in assisting clients to maximize their personal recovery and capacity to manage their own lives

Sunrise Services Inc.

Mental Health Professional II 15/October/2012 - 11/ November/ 2013

I was hired as member of an Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) pilot program team. As a Masters level License Mental Health Professional, my duties include intake and assessment, case management, community outreach, crisis intervention, crisis management and stabilization, intensive outpatient services, as well as psychotherapy with the foundation of person-centered cognitive behavior therapy and experience with all aspects of community mental health.

LDS Family Services

Masters level License Mental Health Therapist - 18/May/2011 – 12/October/2012

Provides direct counseling services, consultation to ecclesiastical leaders, community resource development and referral, and support to other staff. Provides quality customer service and complies with office policy, licensing requirements, and professional standards of practice.1. Provides clinical care under supervision. 2. Provides consultation and maintains a positive rapport with church leaders.3. Ensures that all work is legally compliant. 4. Identifies and recruits community resources. 5. Responsible for own continued professional development. 6. Aware of LDS Family Services Policies and Procedures. 7. Maintains client confidentiality.

Sea Mar Community Health Center

General Assistance Unemployability (GAU) - 07/Sep/2009 - 08/Feb/2010

Responsible for providing and coordinating mental health care and community referrals for clients enrolled in the GA-U program. I used behavioral activation techniques with clients as an adjunct to other treatments. I worked closely with primary care providers, and consulting psychiatrist to revised treatment plan when client was not improving. Educated clients about medication and medication side effects. Monitor clients for changes in severity of symptoms and medication side effects. I documented all encounters according to organizational policies and procedures in a timely manner. In addition, I completed a relapse prevention plan with clients that were in remission; and I adhered to permanent oath of confidentiality covering all clients, even though I worked and lived in a rural community.

Sea Mar Community Health Center-Behavioral Health clinic

Mental Health Therapist, MA, LMHCA, MHP II - 17/Aug/2009 - 28/Feb/2011

As a Masters level Mental Health Therapist II, I provided assessments, intakes, referrals for psychiatric services, and case management for individuals, children and families and coordinated services with other teams or parties involved with treatment. In addition, I provided individual counseling, crisis stabilization, suicide risk assessment, and treatment plans. I established an office in the Anacortes, WA area for Sea Mar where I became the public relations representative for Sea Mar allowing for this office to grow and prosper. I advocated with the state and federal agencies for the services many of my clients needed, such as housing, Social Security paperwork, court system, medical providers for timely psychiatric medication and appointments. I qualify as a Mental Health Professional (MHP) in accordance with Washington State Counseling Laws (WACs). I am bilingual in English and Spanish; therefore, in addition, I also interpret for clients with their providers as needed.

Bellingham Veterans Center

Readjustment Mental Health Counselor - 01/Jul/2008 - 31/Jul/2009

I conducted comprehensive assessments for mental health and substance abuse treatment. I provided individual and group counseling for client with clients with co-occurring disorders. Developed relationships with representatives in other governmental and community agencies to support individuals in attaining services such as housing, additional mental health, psychiatric medication, medical resources, financial assistance, and legal advocacy. Participated in daily debriefing session, weekly supervision, as well as departmental and agency wide meetings as they pertained to training and development opportunities as deemed appropriate by my supervisor. Coordinated, prepared, and maintained required charting and documentation in a timely and thorough manner. Developed individualize treatment plans with measureable goals and objectives. I adhered to all agency and clients confidentiality requirements and standards.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

I am a multifaceted professional with a strong background in social services, human resources, nursing, and mental health. I have used my prior experience as an organizer to establish an office in a rural setting that grew rapidly. With my organizational skills, case management techniques, and my commitment and dedication to the betterment of mental health in my region; as well as my nursing skills, I was able to bridge the medical and psychiatric professionals in the area. This was done in order to ensure that my clients' providers were all aware of physical and mental symptoms, medication compliance, and or side effects.

EDUCATION

Saybrook University Candidate for

Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology

Antioch University Seattle

Masters in Psychology

Antioch University Seattle

Bachelors in Psychology

Antioch University Seattle

Health Healing and Herbalism

Skagit Valley College

Chemical Dependency Program

SKILLS

Strong interpersonal skills, fully bilingual in Spanish and English.

Able to anticipate ethical or problematic situations.

Able to diagnose, treat, and help people in a compassionate way.

Able to gather additional information and seek consultation to resolve any conflict.

Able to work respectfully with others of varying cultures.

Able to assess clients and to create treatment plans, and goal setting with each individual.

Ability to inspire the trust of others, by being honest in my dealings with everyone around me.

Able to do home visits as needed.

Able to work with individuals that have trauma issues.

Ability to work within my expertise boundaries.

Able to see how my own experience, attitude, and knowledge could influence the care of any client.

Able to adhere to permanent oath of confidentiality covering all clients related information.

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