Mental Health Behavioral
Resume:
BRENDA JAMES
Athens, GA
******.********@*****.***
linkedin.com/in/brendajames
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY:
Accomplished Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addiction Counselor with a master’s degree specializing in Addiction, Trauma, Crisis, and Forensic Counseling. Over a decade of progressive leadership and direct practice with diverse populations across behavioral health, addiction treatment, crisis response, and forensic settings. Recognized for evidence-based interventions, crisis stabilization, community engagement, and program development. Proven record of managing high caseloads, supervising interdisciplinary teams, and delivering compassionate care with cultural competence.
LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS:
• Registered Behavioral Technician, BACB
• Counselor-in-Training, Georgia Addiction Counselor Association
• Crisis Prevention & Intervention (GA)
• Crisis Emergency Management (GA)
• Harm Reduction Certification (GA, 2013–2025)
• AMSR Suicide Prevention & 988 Crisis Management
• Yale/UCONN/Saint Francis Hospital Pastoral Clinical Counselor
• Mental Health First Aid, Mindset Training, Safety Care Certified
• State of Connecticut DPH, Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) CORE COMPETENCIES & TECHNICAL SKILLS:
• Executive Behavioral Health Leadership
• Clinical Supervision & Program Development
• Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention (Columbia Scale)
• Trauma-Informed, Evidence-Based Care
• DSM-5 Diagnostics & Treatment Planning
• Harm Reduction & Relapse Prevention
• Forensic & Court-Involved Counseling
• Multisystemic Therapy for Autism & Neurodivergent Populations
• Community Partnerships & Outreach
• Pastoral & Spiritual Counseling Integration
• Clinical Documentation: EPIC, CoreLogic, BIRP, SMART, DAP, MS Office Suite
• Basic American Sign Language (ASL) & PEC Board Communication EDUCATION:
Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
M.S., Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Specializations: Trauma, Crisis, Disaster, Forensics, Addiction
• Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society, Alumni Committee Chair — Summa Cum Laude University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Storrs, CT Clinical Pastoral Counselor (Spirituality) — 2011
Advanced Pastoral Counseling & Supervision — 2021
Day Kimball Hospital/Yale University Psychiatry, New Haven, CT Clinical Pastoral Counselor (Carl Jung/Spirituality) Charter Oak State College, New Britain, CT
• B.S., Applied Behavioral Health & Sciences
• B.S., Public Safety Administration, Fire Science & Engineering
• A.S., Sociology & Criminology
• Honors: State of Connecticut Citation “Perseverance” Award, Henry Lee Forensic Science Award
PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE:
Empowering Healthcare Services, Douglasville, GA
Behavioral Therapist / Counselor (Jan 2025 – Present)
• Manage large geriatric caseloads, deliver DSM-5 diagnostics, and coordinate interdisciplinary care for aging-related mental health needs. Achievement Behavioral Therapy, Atlanta, GA
Registered Behavioral Therapist (Preschool) (Nov 2024 – Present)
• Provide ABA therapy for preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorders; utilize ASL and assistive tech for nonverbal clients.
Georgia Behavioral Health, Atlanta, GA
Registered Behavioral Therapist (Adolescents) (Mar 2025 – Present)
• Implement behavior plans for adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders; coordinate care and progress tracking with BCBAs.
Applied Behavioral Mental Health Counseling, Lawrenceville, GA Registered Behavioral Therapist (Sept 2020 – Present)
• Deliver therapy and multisystemic treatment plans for youth and families in school, home, and community settings.
State of Georgia – DBHDD, Atlanta, GA
Counselor-in-Training / Instructor (Oct 2014 – Apr 2025)
• Provided harm reduction counseling and psychoeducation to over 1,000 clients; collaborated with courts, probation, and community agencies. Additional Clinical Roles: Ridgeview Psychiatric Hospital, Maxim Healthcare, Georgia Hope/Health Connect, Avita Behavioral Health, Project Safe, Department of Community Supervision, Laurelwood Psychiatric Hospital, Advantage Behavioral Health Systems, Greenleaf/Acadia Hospital — specializing in crisis stabilization, domestic violence counseling, forensic support, and integrated care.
LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY SERVICE:
• Alumni Committee Chair, Chi Sigma Iota Omega Zeta Chapter — Led alumni engagement initiatives, mentoring new graduates and organizing professional development events.
• Co-Facilitator, American Red Cross First Responder Program — Coordinated disaster response training and community outreach (Valdosta, GA).
• Vice President, Pink Lily Volunteer Staff — Oversaw volunteer staffing for South Georgia Medical Hospital programs.
• Facilitator, Connecticut Pardon Team — Supported reentry and expungement programs at the CT Legislative Office Building.
• Deputy Court Clerk, Judiciary Committee Internship — Assisted with legislative processes and judiciary hearings for the State of Connecticut General Assembly.
• Community Advocate, State of Connecticut Conference of Churches — Led outreach on homelessness, healthcare access, HIV awareness, and reentry services.
• Active Member, ACA, GPCA, American Psychiatric Association, NADACC, Neurodiversity/Psychotherapy, Black Therapist Rock — Engage in national professional networks and continuing education.
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