Brittany Marie Kicker, LMSW

**** ********* ***** ********, ** 77505 • 719-***-**** • ad3k5a@r.postjobfree.com PASSIONATE AND DEDICATED SOCIAL WORKER

• Evidence Based Therapy • Trauma Informed Care • Case Management • Holistic Approaches • Dependable, resourceful, and enthusiastic professional who innovatively creates the best results in relationship-based environments. Comfortable communicating and interacting with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Excels in written and verbal communication, and highly values collaboration with fellow professionals. Experience includes mental health counseling and treatment with various diverse adult populations and at-risk adolescents in under-served public schools, school-based outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment, residential, inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, and judicial settings. A quick learner, flexible, and detail-oriented. Diversity and challenge are welcome. Certified in Canine Assisted Therapy. Currently licensed in the State of Texas as a Master Social Worker and pursuing my Clinical license in Social Work Supervised by SONYA G. EDWARDS, LCSW-S, LCDC, SAP

I have been blessed with the greatest gift with the fact that my life’s passion and career path are one in the same; simultaneously existing and driving my soul towards personal meaning in ife as well as professional success. The one and only thing I have yet to do is find my “professional home” in which I hope to plant my roots in what I hope to find my “forever home” EDUCATION

Master of Social Work July 2015- June 2016

University of Denver Denver, CO

● Accepted with Advanced Standing status; Scholarship recipient

● Concentration: Children and Youth – Risks and Healthy Development

● Professional Certificate: Animal Assisted Social Work Bachelor of Social Work August 2009-Dec 2013

Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO

● Club member of Social Work in Action: organized advocacy events for the public regarding homelessness, effects of trauma in adolescence, and sexual assault RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Primary Residential Therapist and Clinical Lead September 2022- February 2023

Shanty Healing Center Houston, TX

● Continuously and effectively implemented protocols, policies, and procedures related to building a clinically sound, therapeutic program to ensure highest quality services while mitigating risk of harm to all residents, clinicians, and employees of the program as possible

● Oversaw admissions process and provides support to clinicians in determining appropriateness and eligibility for potential new client admissions

● Recognized and addressed employee well-being and concerns at the individual, team, and technical staff levels

● Provided clinical direction and oversight for each therapist under my guidance who experienced struggles and/or required increased skill set development for difficult, complex cases

● Created and provided an extensive 3-part training academy for all therapists to develop extensive knowledge and professional skill in client treatment planning, crisis intervention, ethical continuum of care services upon discharge from program

● Served as primary liaison to the attending psychiatrist as requested by the agency director

● Scheduled and lead clinical meetings at least 1 time per week as well as all staff meetings 1 time per month

● Reviewed all clinical and case management treatment notes weekly to check for high quality and consistent completion of progress notes, treatment plans, treatment plan reviews, and all other clinical documentation

● Provided and/or referred clinicians to monthly treatment modality trainings or certifications based on needs of the population or per request from the clinical team Clinical Therapist January 2021-September 2022

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health League City, TX

● Served as primary therapist for a caseload of 7-12 adolescent clients residing on the Long-Term Hospital Licensed Unit, Long-Term Residential Licensed Units, and Short-Term Residential Licensed Units

● Served as Lead Therapist for the Hospital Licensed Units as well as the male Short-term Residential Units

● Facilitated daily unit treatment team meetings among unit staff consisting of myself, attending psychiatrist, RN on shift, teachers assigned to each unit, and unit supervisors

● Collaborated with Clinical Director basis to seek professional guidance ensuring my clinical services as well as my clinical guidance was exceeding expectations and cultivating an ethical, supportive, and trusting environment for clients and the clinicians for whom I had the honor of guiding through their clinical journey

● Supported admissions team in reviewing client referrals t0 determine eligibility for either the long-term or short-term residential treatment programs

● Worked in tandem with client funders as primary therapist to support continued program engagement and enrollment to include school districts and insurance agencies

● Provided each individual on my caseload with a minimum of 60 minutes of individual therapy weekly, 60 minutes of family therapy weekly, and 120 minutes of group skills sessions weekly

● Provide family therapeutic support without client present on an as needed basis

● Participated in weekly Treatment Team Meetings with all members including fellow clinicians, Director of Clinical Services, Nursing, Unit Supervisors, Utilization Manager and Case Coordinators, Attending Psychiatrist and fellows from the local teaching hospitals

● Completed all necessary assessments, crisis plans, and other documentation in a timely manner as directed by Joint Commission and TDFCS standards

● Completed full Biopsychosocial assessments within 72 hours of client admission and entered into clinical documentation software program

● Compiled thorough and holistic treatment plans within first 5 days of admission to include initial discharge plan and criteria

● Facilitated a minimum of 4 of the following therapeutic groups per week: standard DBT groups, process groups, CBT groups, trauma specific therapeutic groups, and other evidence-based skills groups tailored to the needs of the population

● Provided supportive coaching to direct support staff as needed to support implementation of evidence-based interventions and ensure consistency for a structured clinical environment conducive to growth and development for staff and clients

● Successfully transferred and/or discharged 18 of 21 clients to lower levels of care throughout duration of employment with agency to include both long-term and short-term clients Program Director/ Lead Therapist July 2019-

December 2021

Oceans Behavioral Hospital, Outpatient Programs Pasadena, TX

● Conduct intake screenings, mini-mental status exams, and assess for appropriateness of referrals seeking services with the outpatient mental health program

● Conduct biopsychosocial assessments to gather and obtain detailed and thorough history and contributing factors leading to the experience of symptoms that impact the overall functioning of a client’s mental and overall health

● Collaborate with client to outline and execute a holistic and effective treatment plan to assist in the journey towards effective mental health management

● Assess for suicide and homicide risk factors and implement crisis safety plan

● Provide excellent therapeutic services to the clients we serve alongside a multidisciplinary team consisting of myself or assigned therapist, psychiatrist, client, and program nurse

● Provide group, individual, and family therapy sessions to meet the mental health needs of the clients whom we have the honor of serving

● Obtain prior-authorizations and concurrent insurance reviews from insurance companies advocating for sufficient time in treatment to meet the client’s needs

● Provide case management and discharge services connecting client with resources for seamless continuum of care upon client graduation or transition of care

● Provide community education and marketing for the Outpatient program to build community partnerships and ensure our services are known and available for those seeking treatment in the Pasadena and surrounding areas

● Manage and facilitate therapeutic growth among team members to ensure highest quality services from every staff member

● Interview, hire, and train enthusiastic and dedicated team members whose compassion, knowledge, and ethics build the foundation for client-centered care

Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Counselor March 2018-July 2019 Harris County Community Supervision and Probation Department Houston, TX

● Provide counseling, case management, and therapeutic interventions for caseload of 50 clients placed on community supervision and identified as needing substance abuse/mental health counseling

● Conducted Intake assessments, discharge summaries, and success plans for clients successfully completing Harris County intensive outpatient program

● Practiced dual diagnosis under supervision for clients during intake assessment to determine appropriate level of care, identify strengths and needs

● Staffed with the clinical team to determine evidence-based interventions for clients struggling to maintain/obtain sobriety throughout treatment, keep in constant communication with client's judge, probation officer and report recommendations accordingly

● Facilitate group and individual counseling session to help clients learn life and coping skills including: effective communication; identifying relapse warning signs, urge/emotion surfing, mindfulness, reaching out for support, learning and using self-control strategies, learning and using problem solving skills; etc.

● Practiced motivational interviewing and applied strength-based approach with a foundation in evidence based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

● Complete and maintain professional documentation for each client on hard daily and monthly deadlines

● Provided a restorative atmosphere for clients to reduce recidivism, prevent probation revocation while maintaining client accountability for repairing harm done to self and community Clinical Community Based Mental Health Case Manager November 2016- January 2018 True Mental Health Services San Antonio, TX

● Managed caseload of 65 adult clients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses via the Assertive Community Treatment model

● Assisted clients with discharge from psychiatric hospitalization, accessing community resources and housing options, connecting to necessary general and specialty medical appointments, and monthly psychiatric appointments

● Developed individualized treatment plans with clients to identify strengths and areas of growth helping to assess client progress of gaining independence and stability on their path to recovery

● Educated clients about life skills including goal setting, healthy communication, budgeting, time management and needs-based prioritization, emotional regulation, and holistic care to support self-determination throughout treatment

● Taught coping strategies and provided counseling to address experienced symptoms related to diagnosis, effects of complex trauma, substance abuse and harm reduction, and symptom identification and management Professional Social Work Intern August 2015- June 2016 Bruce Randolph School Denver, CO

● Assessed and analyzed student mental health using screens such as Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE), and Risk/Resilience Questionnaire

● Developed treatment plans, safety plans, behavior contracts, and observation forms for students whom I served

● Provided individual therapy to over 30 middle school and high school students utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychoeducation, and motivational interviewing

● Practiced Animal Assisted Therapy and Interventions on individual, group, and classroom levels for life skills, anger management, goal setting, problem solving, and communication skills

● Facilitated mindfulness and meditation sessions to students experiencing complex trauma

● Designed, conducted, and statistically analyzed research on the impact of Canine Assisted Therapy on depressive and anxious symptoms in traumatized youth; successfully decreased symptoms by 16.3 overall points and 21overall points, respectively

● Wrote and implemented protocol for Canine Assisted Interventions to treat effects of adverse childhood experiences in school-based setting; Presented protocol at National Animals on the Mind Conference to mental health professionals from around the world

● Participated in team and department meetings; collaborated with psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, restorative justice coordinator, school Social Worker, and school Psychologist City Year Corps Member/ Behavior Coordinator July 2014- June 2015 AmeriCorps – Bruce Randolph School Denver, CO

● Managed caseload of 18 at-risk middle school students who struggled with academic success, classroom behavior, and poor attendance

● Elected as Behavior Coordinator for my team; supervised, educated, and advised teammates on evidence-based interventions to implement with their caseload of students

● Provided counseling and assisted students in problem solving and decision making from a strength-based perspective using motivational interviewing, positive behavior incentive systems, and maintaining strong rapport

● Collaborated with staff to implement positive and restorative programs including A Day Without Hate and Challenge Day

● Helped raise over $2,200 over 10 months via in-kinding used to celebrate student achievements through special events, gift cards, and other incentives

● Presented trainings to staff and fellow Corps members about motivational interviewing, animal assisted therapy, meditative approaches, and art therapy

● Dedicated over 1700 total service hours to the Bruce Randolph Community Intern Probation Officer – Social Work July-December 2013 4th Judicial District Probation Department Colorado Springs, CO

● Supervised caseload of 30 adult defendants sentenced to probation for a variety of levels and types of criminal offenses

● Provided a restorative atmosphere for defendants to reduce recidivism, prevent probation revocation while maintaining defendant accountability for repairing harm done

● Educated and counseled defendants on issues regarding acknowledging triggers and cognitive distortions, coping skills, safety plans, and resume building

● Practiced motivational interviewing and applied strength-based approach with a foundation in evidence based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

● Connected clients with resources for substance abuse counseling, domestic violence counseling, mental health treatment, parenting enhancement courses, theft classes, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, food assistance, and employers who hire people with felony convictions

● Visited inmates in custody at the Criminal Justice Center to identify risk/protective factors, conduct Intensive Supervised Probation screens and Community Correction screens; analyzed findings and reported recommendation determinations to the Court

Volunteer January-May 2013

Rocky Mountain Kids - Nevada House Colorado Springs, CO

● Counseled at-risk juvenile males in ‘half-way’ house, including sexual offenders

● Practiced motivational interviewing

● Exercised strength-based perspective in my counseling with these clients

● Implemented client-centered interventions

● Held group discussions with all residents to resolve issues amongst themselves and talk about ways to improve healthy relationships/communication within the house

● Held group counseling sessions regarding issues with family, issues with coping skills, healthy ways to relieve stress, positive ways to talk with staff about issues that the residents may be having with the staff members, difficulty working through adolescent/ teen depression Undergraduate Social Work Intern August 2011- May 2012 New Mercer Commons Assisted Living Facility Fort Collins, CO

● Exercised interviewing skills necessary in the social work profession

● Worked closely with staff, CSU instructors, and residents, maintaining a strong rapport

● Advocated for resident needs

● Assessed resident’s needs; developed activities and interventions to tailor to those needs

● Facilitated group exercise sessions

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