Clinical Counselor, Supervisor & EAP Program Leader

Dr. Donita Lester, Ed.D., LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor (IL, LA, OH, IA, WY)

*** **** **** ******, #*** Chicago, IL 60654

630-***-**** ️ ******@*****.***

CLINICAL LEADERSHIP PROFILE

Doctoral-level Licensed Professional Counselor with extensive experience in clinical supervision, program leadership, intensive treatment services, corrections-based behavioral health, EAP counseling, and higher education. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex caseloads, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver high-quality, trauma-informed care across inpatient, outpatient, correctional, and telehealth settings. Adept at integrating clinical best practices, cultural responsiveness, and ethical decision-making to support both client outcomes and organizational goals.

CORE CLINICAL & LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Clinical Supervision & Staff Development

Program Oversight & Treatment Planning

Intensive Outpatient & Residential Services

Dual Diagnosis & Substance Use Treatment

Crisis Assessment & Hospital Admissions

EAP Counseling & Leadership Coaching

Telehealth Service Delivery

Multidisciplinary Team Leadership

Utilization Review & Medical Necessity

Cultural Responsiveness & Equity-Informed Care

Documentation, Compliance & Quality Assurance

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Clinical Consultant (Self-Employed)

All About You Consulting Chicago, IL

01/2021 – Present

Provide clinical consultation, leadership coaching, and therapeutic services to individuals and organizations.

Identify systemic and individual barriers to change and implement goal-focused interventions.

Deliver training on leadership development, conflict resolution, cultural responsiveness, and ethical practice.

Address spiritual and existential concerns within clinical contexts when appropriate.

Licensed Telehealth Counselor (Contract)

Home Psych Services, P.C. Hinsdale, IL

04/2021 – Present

Provide comprehensive behavioral health services via telehealth, including psychosocial assessments and treatment planning.

Deliver individual, couples, and family therapy to diverse populations.

Maintain high standards of documentation, ethical practice, and continuity of care.

EAP Counselor

ESPYR / Acentra Health – via Provider Network Chicago, IL

06/2021 – 06/2025

Conduct face-to-face assessments and short-term solution-focused counseling for employees and dependents.

Deliver EAP orientations, supervisor trainings, and workplace behavioral health presentations.

Provide LEAD Coaching to organizational leaders to address performance barriers and strengthen management skills.

Collaborate with employers and stakeholders while maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.

Psychotherapist

LifePath Therapy Associates, LLC Chicago, IL

10/2020 – 12/2020

Maintained an active caseload of 23–25 sessions weekly, providing individual and couples therapy.

Specialized in mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, executive functioning, and life transitions.

Utilized integrative clinical approaches including relational, family systems, and insight-oriented models.

Participated in weekly clinical consultations and peer case reviews.

Counselor II

Gateway Foundation – Addiction Medicine Chicago, IL

05/2020 – 01/2021

Conducted comprehensive substance use and biopsychosocial assessments.

Developed individualized treatment plans and facilitated individual and group counseling.

Managed complex cases requiring coordinated care and intensive services.

Maintained accurate clinical documentation and discharge planning.

Senior Counselor

Gateway Foundation – Wyoming Correctional Institution Torrington, WY

07/2018 – 05/2020

Managed complex caseloads within a correctional treatment setting.

Designed and implemented intensive therapeutic programming addressing substance use, trauma, grief, domestic violence, and sexual assault.

Provided individual and group counseling to dual-diagnosis clients.

Collaborated with correctional and clinical staff to support treatment continuity and reentry planning.

Intake Clinician – Lead

Chicago Lakeshore Hospital Chicago, IL

08/2016 – 08/2017

Led the intake and admissions process for inpatient behavioral health services.

Conducted comprehensive assessments to determine medical necessity and appropriate levels of care.

Completed insurance authorizations and utilization review.

Supervised and coordinated a multidisciplinary team of 15 staff, including nurses, clinicians, and support personnel.

Ensured a compassionate, efficient admission experience for patients and families.

Clinical Therapist

Mary and Tom Leo Associates, Inc. Chicago, IL

06/2014 – 07/2016

Provided individual therapy to children, adolescents, and adults.

Assessed client needs and established measurable treatment goals.

Coordinated care with families, schools, and external providers.

Produced quarterly progress reports and treatment summaries.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Pastoral Community Counseling

Argosy University Chicago, IL 2017

Dissertation: Effectiveness of Christian Counseling: Finding a Solution Through Scriptural-Based Counseling

Master of Arts & Sciences, Counseling and Human Services

National Louis University Evanston, IL 2004

Bachelor of Arts, Applied Behavioral Sciences

National Louis University St. Louis, MO 2002

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS (SELECTED)

Adjunct Professor

Colorado Christian University Denver, CO 2018 – 2026

Teach graduate and undergraduate counseling and human services courses.

Integrate ethical practice, clinical skill development, and faith-informed perspectives.

Courses include Counseling Skills I & II, Practicum, Internship III, Ethics, Assessment, and Theological Foundations.

Adjunct Professor

Trinity Christian College Palos, IL 2017 -2017

Instruction of course related material related to personal growth and development.

Facilitation of group exercises that demonstrate reading related to the course.

Authored written assignments that require student participation whereby their skill sets

can be examined.

Lectured on scriptures related to course reading as well provided interpretation of the

spiritual aspects as needed.

Adjunct Professor

Ivy Tech Community College, Palos, IL 2015 – 2016

Instruction of course related material related to personal growth and development.

Facilitation of group exercises that demonstrate reading related to the course.

Authored written assignments that require student participation whereby their skill sets

can be examined.

Lectured on scriptures related to course reading as well provided interpretation of the

spiritual aspects as needed.

LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed Professional Counselor – Illinois

Licensed Professional Counselor – Louisiana

Licensed Professional Counselor – Ohio

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Certified Consultant – Center for Teacher Effectiveness

CPR / AED CPI

(Additional certifications available upon request)

Contact this candidate