Karen Holcomb, L.S.W *** Penn Street Kingston, Pennsylvania 18704

aczdjo@r.postjobfree.com 570- 406-9036

Objective: To secure a position in social service utilizing a wholistic approach. Treating each consumer as a unique individual. Incorporating a strengths-based, eclectic approach for individualized and group treatments.

Education:

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction 4 – 2017

Preventing Sexual Violence through Assessment, Treatment and Safe Management Seminar 4-2017

Trauma Seminar 4 - 2017

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation/ Automatic External Defibrillation Adult/ Children Certified 2016 -2018

2017 Attended Laity Conversations on Human Sexuality

Annual Sexual Transmitted Disease & Human Immunodeficiency Virus Training 2016

Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor – Anticipated 7- 2017

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing I, II & III 2 -2016

National Association of Social Workers - Licensed Social Worker 2015- Present

Family Group Decision Making I & II – Certified Trainer 5 - 2016

Temple University, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - Masters in Social Work 5 - 2014

Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, New Jersey - Bachelors of Arts -Psychology/ Human Development 5 - 1990

Work Experience:

Forensic Counseling Associates, Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania 2015 – Present

Therapist: Counseling services provided for individuals / groups/ couples – experienced with individuals dealing with trauma of all types. 7 years of drug & alcohol and mental health counseling. Provide therapy for anger management, suicide ideations, poor coping, anxiety, and relationship concerns. Manage documentation for all clients, using description, assessment and planning format. Use of Motivational Interviewing Techniques. Incorporating Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Techniques. Interface with Department of Corrections, Employee Assistance Programs, consumers, and various insurance companies. Collaboration with Children & Youth, Department of Corrections, and many other community agencies.

Area Agency on Aging Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania: Intake / Assessment 2015 – 2016

Complete request for assessments from nursing homes, independent living facilities, personal care homes, family members and individual consumers. Coordinate services to appropriate referral sources – meals on wheels, independent enrollment broker, North Penn Legal, protective services, commission on economic opportunity, cash assistance office, local ombudsman, apprise workers or appropriate housing agencies. Educate and empower consumers regarding maintaining safe, independent living. Assist with requests for emergency meals, requests for life alert necklace. Collaborate with local veteran’s hospitals regarding: trauma, speech, hearing or housing concerns. Assist with habilitation referrals, complete requests for home modifications. Assist trauma victims in crisis situations; manage services for the LGBT population. Record monthly statistics, communicate with co-workers regarding updates/ new procedures. Attend educational conferences, maintain annual continuing education credits.

Remain current with programs such as: Waiver, No wrong door, Options, Family caregiver support services, Home delivered meals, and Pennsylvania Link. Refer individuals dealing with Drug & Alcohol concerns to appropriate referral sources. Navigate through SAMS appropriately to provide appropriate case management assignment.

Community Health Systems - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: Drug & Alcohol Therapist 2010 – 2014 Counsel Adults regarding recovery services/options for clients with Substance use disorders / Co-occurring disorders. Establish goals/objectives for treatment plans. Counsel clients experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anger management, anxiety, and relationship concerns, Case management skills, travel to Rural Health Clinic to provide aftercare services, travel to local hospital – Detox unit / Emergency room for aftercare services, counselled up to 30 clients per week.

Collaborate with physicians / social services/ discharge planners/ attorneys/ department of corrections, regarding services. Communicate with local insurance providers regarding appropriate services.

Attend annual conferences, Performed random urine drug screens, Reviewed/ discussed results of lab tests and provided education to clients. Educated / Empowered clients regarding healthy families, healthy coping skills, vocational training programs. Communicated with local probation officers / mental health providers. Made appropriate referrals to detox unit or rehabilitation facilities. Counseled individuals, and families, regarding recovery. Documented appropriately, responsible for a 40 % increase in outpatient clients. Managed inpatient groups on a rotating basis, provided accurate documentation for up to 60 clients weekly. Managed up to 60 D & A clients per week

Bayada Home Health: Pittston, Pennsylvania: Home Health Aide 2009 – 2014

Provided assistance with activities of daily living, provided transportation to and from medical appointments. Maintained current educational requirements – completed in home/ In the Know service requirements. Completed the requirements for individual treatment plans. Documented weekly treatment requests. Submitted timely medical updates, communicated effectively with clients, family members, supervisors, and medical providers regarding treatment plans. Provide referrals to individuals suffering from drug & alcohol, anger management, anxiety and those experiencing suicidal ideations.

Remained professional and provided a safe and secure environment for each client I interacted with.

Maintained annual physical exam requirements. Volunteered for extra hours on a regular basis.

Attended annual educational conferences with clients.

Internships:

Dr. Richard Fischbein, Kingston, Pennsylvania. 2013 – 2014: Attended competency hearing, assisted with assessments. Assisted with cognition testing, Reviewed and assisted with documentation, interacted with legal entities.

Luzerne County Juvenile Defenders Unit – Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 2013 – 2014

Reviewed upcoming cases involving truancy, misdemeanors, anger management, substance abuse, mental incompetency, and domestic violence. Assisted social workers with providing evidence to support the least restrictive environment and continuous monitoring while clients are on probation. Interacted with lawyers, probation officers, families, school officials, drug treatment, and judges.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 2012 – 2013

Assisted with annual conference, Educated/ Empowered families, collaborated services, performed research on the prevalence that exists in surrounding areas. Attended monthly meetings for Intergenerational Coalition members. Interacted with families dealing with drug & alcohol and anger management concerns.

Volunteer Organizations:

2017 – 2018 United States Tennis Association – Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

2011 – Present. Ethics Institute of NEPA @ Misericordia University,

2004 – Present. Junior League of Wilkes-Barre,

2015 - 2017 International Torch Club,

2004 – Present Domestic Violence Service Center, 2011 – Present United Way- Pre K for Pa.,– 2015- Present Court Appointed Special Advocate of Luzerne County- Home Assessments, 2004 – Present. Dorranceton United Methodist Church member – The Church has Left the Building activities – soup kitchen, ice cream social at nursing home,

2013 - 2014 Luzerne County Ombudsman’s office –advocated for the rights of the elderly.

Awarded:

4-2017 Advocate Spotlight - Court Appointed Special Advocate

2012 – 2013 Women of the Year – National Association of Professional Women

2009 – 2010 President’s Award - Junior League of Wilkes-Barre

Continuing Education : classes are ongoing throughout the year.

References available upon request

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