Dependency Counselor Adjunct Professor
Resume:
Social Worker Resume
James D. Harris, MA, MSW, LCDC
Richmond, Texas 77469
, t 832-***-**** adocyf@r.postjobfree.com
Qualifications Summary
I am a dedicated License Chemical Dependency Counselor with over 30 years of experience working in various modalities and fields including corrections, community clinics, forensics, dual diagnosis, education/university, leadership as CEO, adolescents, IOP, PHO, residential, hospital, methadone clinics, part of a multi-disciplinary team, school based programs, federal job corps programs, inpatient, long term programs, and the Department of Veteran Affairs and various other programs including HCHV in Arkansas, PTSD, mental health, DWI/DUI instructor, suicide prevention, various hospitals, education, corrections, palliative care, and state facilities; with a strong commitment to serving various populations and Veterans and their families, including homeless, Psychiatric, Substance Abuse, Crisis Intervention and special-needs populations.
Documented success learning new jobs within various systems, including corrections, teaching on college level, hospital, inpatient and residential programs, CEO as a contractor with the state, and the VA system, assisting Veterans with Financial or housing assistance, referring to various community agencies, informing and empowering Veteran to tools to live in their own home. I have encouraged Veterans to apply for benefits from the VA, continue in ongoing treatment, understanding depression and suicidal ideations, Social Security and other government and community programs.
I have been instrumental in developing and implementing eclectic treatment approaches which address individual social problems and work with acute or chronic psychiatric and medical conditions, at-risk Veterans and their families, developing coping and problem-solving skills and tools for recovery, advance directives and bereaved families, arrange for respite care and served as an advocate.
I have experience with various issues related to drinking or drug use, relapse prevention, 12 steps, rational recovery, smart recovery, disease process, medical aspects of addiction, networking, collaborations, resources, homeless population, restore self-esteem, self-identity, values, improving communication skills, time management skills, goal–settings, setting boundaries, stress management, anger management, rebuilding trust, referrals for APS, engage Veterans in 12 step community referrals and VA services, assessments, diagnostic summaries, evaluations, working with PTSD Veterans, Suicidal prevention, and treatment referrals.
If Veteran aren’t sure what they need, I am skilled at advocating, investing, engaging, informing and empowering Veterans with resources and building community support, key coalitions and strategic inter-agency partnerships, using strengths-based practices and other methods in programs, personnel and case management. The key is teaching self-responsibility.
I have worked as both an in-reach and out-reach specialist, crisis intervention and in housing first and rapid re-housing programs. I have worked with per diem programs and used strength based methods to empower the Veterans. I will not compromise my ethics and standards in any way. I maintain a professional and moral relationship with the client.
Professional Experience
New Dimensions Day Hospital Treatment Program
607 Park Grove Drive,
Katy, Texas 77450
Director of Adult/Adolescent Substance Abuse program
January 15, 2020 – Present
I am responsible for completing admissions and assessing both adults and adolescents and make referrals. I am instrumental in completing a detailed and comprehensive bio-psychosocial/Substance Abuse assessment that includes family history, legal history, medical, psychiatric, suicidal history, developmental, marital, spiritual, social issues, drug use, employment, and military history. I develop treatment plans that include clients’ input, use Motivational Interviewing and other eclectic approaches to make the necessary referrals to various modalities including residential, inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient therapy. With the involvement of the client and sometimes family; I prepare a detailed summary of assessments and develop treatment plan updates that identify problems with accompanying measurable goals, objectives, and interventions. I conduct the BAM and use ASAM criteria to complete the initial clinical progress notes and ongoing individual therapy sessions. I conduct DWI/DUI groups, process and individual groups, didactic educational groups and family groups.
Kemah Palms Treatment and Recovery Center
1013 Delesandri Lane
Kemah, Texas 77565
Detoxification Therapist
October 28, 2019 – January 12, 2020
I am responsible for assessing and serving the chemical dependency detoxification clients, by completing a detailed and comprehensive bio-psychosocial/Substance Abuse assessment that includes family history, legal history, medical, psychiatric, suicidal history, developmental, marital, spiritual, social issues, drug use, employment, and military history. I use Motivational Interviewing to make the necessary referrals to various modalities including residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient therapy. With the involvement of the client; I prepare a detailed summary of assessments and develop treatment plans that identify problems with accompanying measurable goals, objectives, and interventions. I conduct the BAM and use ASAM criteria to complete the initial clinical progress notes and ongoing individual therapy sessions. I conduct process and individual groups, didactic educational groups and family groups.
Contact: Mrs. Kimberly Betty: 866-***-****
Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Health Administration
Houston, Texas USA
Social Science Program Specialist (Grade 11; Step 4), SDTP Program; Department of Veteran Affairs; Houston, Texas 77030,
01-17-/2012 to October 1, 2019
I am responsible for assessing and serving the chemical dependency Veterans and families, providing case management and recovery needs. I complete a detailed and comprehensive bio-psychosocial/Substance Abuse assessment that includes family history, legal history, medical, psychiatric, suicidal history, developmental, marital, spiritual, social issues, drug use, employment, and military history. I make the necessary referrals to resources that meet the needs of Veterans and their families. With the involvement of the Veteran; I prepare a detailed summary of assessments and develop treatment plans that identify problems with accompanying measurable goals, objectives, and interventions. I utilize established VA programs which include but are not limited to the homeless veteran’s program and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to strengthen the support to veterans with such needs. I am responsible for organizing and implementing a wide variety of outpatient treatment for veterans. I provide individual and group counseling for clients with a wide array of mental health and substance abuse problems using accepted counseling and therapeutic techniques. I maintain appropriate records, chart information necessary to ensure an accurate portrayal of veteran's progress. I communicate effectively with the treatment team and supervisor to follow risk management protocols identified by the VA. I participate in staffing with other members of the treatment team and share effective input regarding treatment plan of care. I perform intakes, screenings, assessments, referrals, placements and case management duties. I collaborate with other private and public agencies to provide supportive resources for veterans and their families and to enhance services for the recovery process. I maintained confidential documentation to fulfill funding-source requirements. I function as a member of a multidisciplinary team by communicating relevant information concerning patient progress and to enhance therapeutic outcomes to ensure that all needs are met. I provide training to staff related to substance abuse and issues. I serve to empower the Veteran and family during their treatment. I deal with crisis situations and make referral as needed. I work closely with those high-risk Veterans who are homeless, unstable, and suicidal, and I serve as an advocate. I provide education, counseling, and therapy to engage Veterans into the program and use their strengths and supports to empower them with effective coping, problem-solving and adjustment skills.
(Contact Supervisor: Yes, Upon offer for employment, Supervisor's Name: Gregory McCrimmon Supervisor's Phone: 713-***-**** extension 21865.)
Veterans Health Administration
September/2006 – January 13, 2012
Little Rock, Arkansas USA
Addiction Therapist, 0101; Grade 9, step 5
I was responsible for assessing and serving the chemical dependency homeless Veteran with severe crisis and emergent situational and recovery needs within VA Drop In Center. I partnered with a social worker, suicidal coordinator, and conducted both outreach and in-reach duties and gather thorough information on substance abuse, psychiatric, medical, medication, spiritual, developmental, social issues, drug use, family and military history. I used various screening tools and prepare written reports as well as comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments to develop a comprehensive summary of assessments and develop treatment plans that identify problems with accompanying interventions. I help veterans develop and implement an individualized treatment plan based on the client's identified problems and facilitate inclusion of medical or primary care physician in veteran's treatment plans. I utilize established VA programs to strengthen the support to veterans with such needs. I was responsible for organizing and implementing a wide variety of outpatient treatment for veterans. I provided individual and group counseling for clients with a wide array of mental health and substance abuse problems using accepted counseling techniques. I maintained appropriate records, chart information necessary to ensure an accurate portrayal of veteran's progress and confidentiality. I maintain contact and communicate effectively with my supervisor to comply with risk management protocols identified by the VA and participate in staffing. I perform intakes, screenings, assessments, referrals, placements and case management duties. I collaborated with other private and public agencies to provide support for veterans and their families and to enhance services for the recovery process. I functioned as a member of a multidisciplinary team by communicating relevant information concerning patient progress and to enhance therapeutic outcomes to ensure that all needs are met. I provide training to staff related to substance abuse.
(Contact Supervisor: Supervisor's Name: H. Hemphill, Phone: 501-***-**** extension 9944)
CEO: Assessment Services & Solutions
January 01, 2010 - December 31, 2012
Little Rock, Arkansas US
I served as the Chief Executive Officer of this company after obtaining this contract with the state of Arkansas. I was responsible for developing all the forms, programs, assessments, treatment plans, referrals, case management and the day to day operations, goal setting, program planning, trainings and supervision of employees. I bided this contract against over 500 other potential candidates and negotiated this contract with the state of Arkansas. I budgeted funds to pay staff and for day to day operations. In addition, I set goals and strategically plan programming and provided guidance, direction to employees based on policy interpretation. I wrote policy for and supervise the organizational management regarding operational procedures and techniques in matters related providing quality cost efficient services. I did monthly relapse prevention and suicidal prevention groups for family and clients.
(Contact Supervisor: Name: Linda Robinson: Contracted with Arkansas Department of Human Services, Supervisor's Phone: 501-***-****)
TEAP Specialist
Federal Little Rock Job Corps
10/2004 - 9/2007
Little Rock, Arkansas US
Assessed the needs of students for substances, psychiatric, educational, employment and homeless needs. Worked with the community resources such as shelters, 12 step programs, case management needs, medication management, served as a liaison between the courts, schools and other services. I conducted interviews with pre-arrival students, completed chemical dependency assessments, served on the committee that determines student's admission, prepared treatment plans to monitor the progress of the students, participated in weekly staffing to determine if treatment needs had to be modified. Prepared students with behavioral and mental health problems with the employability skills necessary to obtain and maintain employment by interviewing, role playing and increasing the understanding of the resources, services and programs that would aide in this process. Conducted individual and group therapy sessions, weekly suicidal prevention groups, taught basic life skills, conducted mental health training and staff development, managed staff members, participated in quality improvements, met standards of CARF and JACHO, managed supplies, staff, students, and conducted educational training and staff development regarding labs, substance abuse and mental health services. I set up a confidential program where the students had access to staff to discuss situational issues and feelings of suicide. Assisted students with adjustment and provided sessions in coping skills. Completed outreach weekly. (Contact Supervisor: Name: Susan Heffington, Supervisor's Phone: 501-***-****)
University of Arkansas - Little Rock, Arkansas USA
1/2000 - 5/2007
Adjunct Professor
Teaching police, medical, pharmacology, nursing and other students in the Criminal Justice Department in Substance Abuse and Pharmacology and Introduction to Criminal Justice, writing lesson plans, documentation of grades and attendance, and written examinations. Taught treatment planning skills, interviewing skills, how to interact with various individuals from diverse cultures and mental health issues. Educated students regarding how to interact with psychiatric populations as police and recognize the signs of suicidal thinking, substances, relapse prevention skills, how to conduct case management, referrals, how to deal with regulations, laws, accreditation services, assessments, tests, labs, etc..
(Contact Supervisor: Dr. Mary Parker, Supervisor's Phone: 501-***-****)
Arkansas Partnership Program
6/2000 - 1/2003
Little Rock, Arkansas
Substance Abuse Director
Interviewing clients to determine referral eligibility, direct substance abuse, mental health and life stills for severely dual diagnosis clients with criminal histories, developed treatment plans and participated in weekly staff meetings to determine if client met the treatment plan needs. Prepared mental health and substance abuse clients with overall skills to live, work, and become independent citizens in society. Performed case management duties that included finding housing, assisted with developed interviews, filling out applications, budgeting funds, grocery and shopping duties. Worked with severely mentally ill dually diagnosed clients in individual and group therapy, participated in quality improvements, supervised staff in the program and guided my treatment team in the treatment planning and diagnostic summary of the entire managed population, budgeted for the program, scheduled and conducted staff development, directed and managed staff in the outpatient program and conducted family assessments and training for the community and staff, medication management, worked with Act 911 patients (patients determined to be not guilty by reason of insanity), participated in court testimonials, conducted case management, worked with staff to meet the standards of CARF, worked as a liaison with the probate court and partial hospitalization programs. Conducted weekly suicidal prevention groups. (Contact Supervisor: Dr. Ron Smith, Phone: 501-***-****)
Living Hope
3/1998 - 8/2000
Little Rock, Arkansas US
Therapist
Interviewed potential clients to determine eligibility, conducted assessments, developed effective treatment plans, case management skills, taught mentally ill clients the importance of being stable on medications so that they can work and live independently with the social skills and independent living skills that will aide in their growth and development. Weekly suicide prevention groups and work with police to do welfare checks. Discussed coping, problem solving and suicide prevention skills, Performed staffing, planning to determine if treatment needs have to be modified, individual, group and family therapy sessions, made assessments and made referrals, performed annual updates and reports, medication management, case management, quality improvements, documentation of progress, conducted staff meetings for referrals, conducted staff development, training and educational development for community and staff, collected data on effectiveness of the program and met JCAHO and CARF standards. I worked as a liaison with the courts and the Arkansas State Hospital for health care and special treatment needs.
(Contact Supervisor: Vicky Baugh, Supervisor's Phone: 501-***-****)
CATAR CLINIC
2/1999 - 6/2000
Little Rock, Arkansas US
Substance Abuse Counselor
Interviewed potential clients to determine eligibility for the methadone program, conducted assessments, developed effective treatment plans, case management skills, performed staffing to determine if treatment needs had to be modified, individual, group and family therapy sessions, made assessments and made referrals, performed annual updates and reports, medication management, case management, quality improvements, documentation of progress, conducted staff meetings for referrals, conducted staff development, training and educational develop for community and staff, collected data on effectiveness of the program and met JCAHO and CARF standards and worked as a liaison with the courts for health care and special treatment needs.
(Contact Supervisor: Dr. Miguel Cassillas, Supervisor's Phone: 501-***-****)
Arkansas Children's Hospital
5/1994 - 2/1998
Little Rock, Arkansas US
Case Management
Performed treatment planning, individual, group, and family sessions, referrals, annual updates, medication management, case management, quality improvements, documentation, staff meetings, staff development, training and educational develop for community and staff. Work with schools to coordinate suicidal prevention programs and welfare checks. Maintained management of grant and collected data on effectiveness of the program. Worked as a liaison with the public schools, courts, and referral services, planned and supervised activities, participated in staffing to monitor progress and determine changes in treatment needs.
(Contact Supervisor: Name: Debbie Rushing, Supervisor's Phone: 501-***-****)
Baptist Health
8/1992 - 2/1996
Little Rock, Arkansas US
Therapist
Performed treatment planning, individual, group and family therapy sessions, made assessments and made referrals, performed annual updates and reports, medication management, case management, quality improvements, documentation of progress, conducted staff meetings, conducted staff development, training and educational develop for community and staff, management of grant funds, collected data on effectiveness of the program and met JACHO standards, participated in staffing to review changes in individual and family treatment planning, worked in the outpatient program.
Contact Supervisor: Rick Newton, Supervisor's Phone: 501-***-****)
Mid-Ark Mental Health Services
1/1994 - 4/1994
Little Rock, Arkansas US
Dual Diagnosis Therapist/case manager
Provided case management duties that included finding stable living, employment, resources, programs and follow up services. Planned, developed, budgeted, and scheduled the entire program, conducted individual, group, and family therapy sessions, performed staff evaluations, billing, updated board on progress of program, case management, referrals, acted as court liaison, performed assessments, treatment plans, diagnostic summaries, met weekly with treatment and supervisor's team on direction of each client, quality improvement, community and staff development and case reviews. Since these clients lived at home, they were required to attend weekly suicidal prevention groups and welfare checks. (Contact Supervisor: Yes, Supervisor's Name: Mary Paal)
JEFFERSON HOSPITAL
11/1991 - 12/1993
Pine Bluff, Arkansas US
Case Manager
Performed treatment planning, individual, group and family therapy sessions, made assessments and made referrals, performed annual updates and reports, medication management, case management, quality improvements, documentation of progress, conducted staff meetings, conducted staff development, training and educational develop for community and staff, and met JACHO standards, staffing for weekly updates in treatment planning, liaison with the courts and other facilities.
(Contact Supervisor: Name: Sherry Grimes, Supervisor's Phone: 870-***-****)
Arkansas Department of Corrections
5/1988 - 11/1991
Wrightsville, Arkansas US
Director of Mental Health Services
Managed staff and performed staff development trainings, trained police and judges on mental health and substance abuse signs and identifications, worked as a liaison with the court on drug cases, directed and supervised cases and worked with prison staff on referrals and educational groups, performed individual and group therapy sessions, evaluated staff, participated in quality improvement, performed community speaking for public education, conducted staff meetings and trainings, budgeted resources, performed record keeping, worked directly with and updated the warden and parole board on progress of the inmates, strategic planning, and worked with prevention and relapse programs during parole.
(Contact Supervisor: Ricky Toney, Supervisor's Phone: 870-***-****)
Education
University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
Master’s Degree: Social Work
May 2014 – May 2017
International Honor’s Society
University of Arkansas Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas US
Master's Degree: Counseling Education
May 2009 - Present
University of Arkansas Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas US
Master's Degree: Criminal Justice
Henderson State
Arkadelphia, Arkansas US
Bachelor's Degree - 5/1987
Major: Psychology
Honors: cum laude
Affiliations
International Advanced Licensed Addiction Specialist
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc
Prince Hall Mason (.Master Mason)
International and National Honor Society
National Association of Social Workers
National and State Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
National DWI Instructor
David Chism Physician
Phone Number 732-***-****
Reference Type Professional
Leon Johnson
Pulaski County Circuit Court
Judge
Phone Number:
Reference Type:
Personal
Col. Fulton Johnson
Phone Number:
Reference Type:
Personal
Carlos Corbin
Little Rock Police
Asst. Chief of Police
Phone Number:
Reference Type:
Personal
Luciana Vineyard
VA Drop-In Center
VRS
Phone Number:
Reference Type: Professional
Chaplain Gregory McCrimmon Chaplain Veteran’s Hospital
Phone Number: 713-***-**** extension 21865
Reference Type: Professional
Daniel Chism Attorney Private Practice
Phone Number 713-***-****
Reference Type: Personal
Rev. Jonathan Chism
Professor Theology: UH
Phone Number
Reference Type Personal
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