To whom it may concern,

Hello, I would like to introduce myself and share my passion: providing quality mental health for all individuals without prejudice against age, ethnicity, economic standing, gender, diagnosis, religious/spiritual preference, or cultural beliefs. I am originally from Texas, born and raised there for 23 years living in both urban and rural areas. I studied at University of Houston. I moved to Atlanta Georgia for five years, where I also studied at Georgia State University. I relocated with the photography company Lifetouch to this beautiful city of Seattle. After graduating from Seattle University with two bachelors: Criminal Justice, Forensic Psychology and Visual Arts, Studio Arts, I changed careers from a portrait studio manager/photographer to my current profession of working in residential community mental health.

Over the last nine years, I have remained in the field of residential community mental health. My first position was at Seattle Children’s Home working with the teen population at the McGraw Unit. I started as a full time swing residential counselor and then worked my way to assistant recreational therapist and finally assistant supervisor. I then changed populations and worked briefly with children at NAVOS’s Ruth Dykeman residential facility. My next position was at Community Psychiatric Clinic as a fulltime residential counselor/case manager at the Keystone Assisted Living Facility working with adults with severe mental illness diagnoses and often comorbid disorders. During this time period I began my master’s program of Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy at Antioch University. I finished my masters and was offered the position of Clinical Supervisor of the El Rey Transitional Residential Facility in Belltown (60 beds). Sound Health purchased my employer Community Psychiatric Clinic September 2019.

My professional certifications are Mental Health Professional (MHP) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHC-A). I am currently studying for my final certification as a LMHC and plan to have that completed in the next 6 months or less.

During my career I have worked with diverse populations: children, teens and adults, all from different backgrounds but all sharing the same theme in mental health: trauma. As a supervisor I maintain relationships with Western State Hospital (WSH) and all local hospitals in King and Pierce County. I screen potential clients for placement at my facility. I work with the mental health court system when it comes to Less Restrictive Orders/Actions (LRO/LRA) for King County and Conditional Releases for Pierce County/ WSH clients, which includes creating affidavits, revocations, monthly reviews, and testimony in King County Mental Health Court. I evaluate my clients if they enter the hospital for both medical and psychological reasons. I do clinical intakes for new clients coming to the El Rey. I complete monthly reviews for my Long Term Rehabilitation (LTR) clients required by King County (KC) and their assigned Mental Care Operator (MCO) to maintain benefits and tier level for funding of care. I maintain a safe milieu for 60 clients and 20+ staff. I have direct supervision, hiring and training over a team of clinical staff (day, swing and NOC shifts).

I believe with my background I bring a wealth of professional knowledge when it comes to residential community mental health. As a therapist I have an integrated clinical approach with the belief that therapy and case management should be tailored to the individual and their needs. I believe in the trauma informed model and that every individual has or will experience trauma, loss, anxiety and depression at some point in their life. I believe that new integrated styles of therapy such as art therapy, recreational therapy, music therapy, play therapy, and emotional animal supports are key tools to help clients in their recovery and growth.

I thank you for your time and allowing this introduction. I believe that I would be a great addition to any team.

Sincerely,

Y. Marisa Doelling, MA, MHP, LMHC-A