Tammy L. Zender, MSSA, LISW-S

**** ******** ****

Kent, Ohio 44240

ad32sl@r.postjobfree.com

330-***-**** (c)

EDUCATION

Case Western Reserve University Campus August 2012 – May 2014

Cleveland, Ohio

Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences (MSASS)

Master’s degree in social work and administration

Ashford University, Clinton, Iowa August 2008 – July 2011

School of Psychology

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Psychotherapist

Talk It Out Counseling, LLC November 2017 – Present

My deep passion for helping others suffering from mental health issues is my motivation to constantly evolve in clinical practice techniques that are person centered, evidence-based and meaningful to the patient. I am naturally intuitive, empathic, compassionate, internally motivated and a leader. My passion for mental health led me to owning and operating a thriving private practice since 2017. Owning and operating Talk It Out Counseling, LLC has provided me the opportunity to deliver person centered, evidence-based care that makes a positive difference in the lives of those seeking treatment. It has also provided me with the perfect platform to teach and mentor student interns from Case Western Reserve University and The University of Akron seeking licensure as Social Workers in General Practice as well as Clinical Practice, and to provide supervision to those seeking independent licensure. As the owner of Talk It Out Counseling, LLC., I have mastered multi-tasking as evidenced by having successfully managed daily operations that include supervision, carrying a personal caseload, managing finances, human resources, training, investigations, etc.

I was nominated and selected for the “Early Career Success” award in 2019 from the Case Western Reserve University Alumni Association. In 2020, voted “Women of the Year” in City of Barberton for owning and operating a successful small business.

Master Medical Social Worker

Fresenius Medical Center June 2015 – August 2017

As a member of the interdisciplinary team, assess patients' psychosocial status, strengths and areas of need that may affect rehabilitation and treatment outcomes.

Participate in care planning in collaboration with the patient and healthcare team to identify effective interventions that will help the patient meet rehabilitation treatment goals and improve quality of life.

Provide established outcomes driven psycho-educational counseling methods aimed at improving areas of need, treatment adherence, vocational/educational rehabilitation, referral to community resources.

Provide supportive and goal directed counseling to patients who are seeking transplant.

Educate patients and family on advance directives and assist in completion of advance directives documents.

Educate and train staff on the emotional, psychological, and behavioral impact chronic kidney disease may have on the patient and family.

Participate in monthly interdisciplinary meetings to review patient status, plans of care, treatment adherence and facility goals.

Medical Social Worker, PRN

Mercy Medical Center, Home Care and Hospice June 2016 – August 2018

Assess the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers (in their place of residence) related to the patient's illness and environment and communicate findings to members of the interdisciplinary group.

Carry out social evaluations, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high risks for suicide, neglect or abuse and plan intervention based on evaluation findings.

Counsel patient and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties. Provide crisis intervention when necessary.

Assess for, and educate interdisciplinary groups, on any special needs related to the culture of the patient and family. Includes communication, role of family, space, and any special traditions or taboos.

Maintain clinical records on all patients referred to social work.

Educate patients and families on, and assist in, preparation of advanced directives.

Provide information to patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.

Serve as liaison between patients and families/caregivers and community agencies.

Maintain collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care.

Maintain and develop contracts with public and private agencies as resources for patients and personnel.

Participate in the development of the individualized plan of care, involving the patient and family, and attend regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings.

Assists physicians and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues.

Intensive Home-Based Mental Health Therapist and Intensive Case Manager

Child Guidance & Family Solutions June 2015 – March 2016

Provided intensive home-based therapy and case management for individuals with moderate to severe mental illness.

Utilized evidence-based treatment that included motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy and art therapy.

Assessed in home needs: e.g., identify potential safety hazards and/or abuse. Provided post-hospital release documents to ensure client needs were being met e.g., prescriptions and medicinal compliance, durable medical supply needs, nutritional needs, mental healthcare needs, community supports and transported client to medical appointments and other community services when necessary.

Developed plans of care to identify goals and objectives, collaborate with client and family to develop safety plans, suicide risk assessments and crisis interventions.

Internship - Behavioral Health Therapist and Case Manager

The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland November 2013 – May 2014

Case Management for Geriatric Client’s and Veteran’s

Provided evidence based therapeutic interventions (CBT, DBT, MI, etc.)

Carried a caseload of 7-10 clients with mild to moderate mental illness(s)

Provided couples’ therapy.

Provided therapy to individuals who were dually diagnosed.

Completed comprehensive intake assessments.

Diagnosis of mental illness(s) and/or alcohol/drug use

Psychotropic medication monitoring

Psychiatric referrals to providers in the community when necessary

Completed comprehensive individual treatment plans and progress notes.

Skilled in using electronic medical records system (Epic)

Provided suicide screening and risk assessments.

Assisted clients in signing up for medical benefits (CAC Certified)

Prepared and presented cases to psychiatry for psychotropic intervention.

Program development – Created the Veteran Dental Outreach Program

Attended weekly individual and group supervision.

Intervention & Assessment hours: 1200+, and 30+ Professional Development hours

Internship - Behavioral Health Therapist

Cornerstone of Hope, Independence, Ohio August 2012 - January 2013

Provided individual and family grief assessments.

Provided client intake and assessments.

Provided suicide risk assessments via phone and in person.

Co-facilitated suicide and murder loss groups

Provided individual and family therapy for complicated grief and traumatic loss.

Provided general grief therapy to more specialized and complicated therapeutic interventions.

Created and maintained treatment plans and progress notes.

Attended weekly individual and group supervision.

Intervention & Assessment hours: 576 and 12 Professional Development hours

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPEREIENCE

Licensed Foster Care Provider 2005 - 2013

Residential Real Estate Appraiser (Business Owner) 1992 - 2006

Retail Grocery Store Manager (Save-A-Lot Foods) 1998 - 2001

General Manager (Blockbuster Video) 2001 - 2003

Director of Fundraising (Special Olympics) 2003 - 2005

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

American Red Cross Disaster Relief – Crisis Mental Health Counselor

NJROTC - Chaperone high school students on trips

United States Army Detachment – Counselor - Modified boot camp for high school seniors

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Psychological Association

National Association of Social Workers

National Alliance on Mental Illness

LICENSURE

Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation 2014 - Present

Certified Affordable Care Counselor for Medicaid (CAC), State of Ohio 2014 - Present

Certified Surrogate-IEP Representative, State of Ohio 2009 - Present

Licensed Therapeutic Foster Care Provider, Stated of Ohio 2007 - 2013

Licensed Loan Officer (residential and commercial), State of Ohio 2003 - 2007

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