Mental Health Counselor

DARNELL PHILLIPS

**** ******** ** **• Atlanta GA 30324 • *********@*****.*** • 615-***-****

TARGET POSITION: <BEHAVIORAL HEALTH / SUBSTANCE & DRUG ABUSE COUNSELOR>

Experience working in diverse environments: private practice, government, and educational institutions, supporting, providing resources, and counseling clients. Collaborative style to build external partnerships as well as earn the trust of clients.

“Mr. Phillips expresses a warm and caring personality willing to help children and families … empowering the families in their abilities to find appropriate solutions to their problems … Darnell is a resourceful, creative, and solution-oriented person who is frequently able to come up with new and innovative approaches to projects. Mr. Phillip’s self motivation and diligent work ethic has allowed him to go beyond what is required…” D. Maxwell, M.S., Austin Peay State University, Trainer of Social Work

EDUCATION

M.S. IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN (candidate, February, 2012)

Selected Courses: Foundation and Study in Mental Health Counseling • Introduction to Mental Health Counseling

• Professional Identity • Ethics in Counseling • Interview Observation • Statistic I • Tests and Measurement

Counseling and Psychotherapy • Diagnosis and Assessment

E.D. SPECIALTY COMMUNITY COUNSELING, Murray State University, Murray, KY, 2003-2004

Completed Coursework: Practicum in Counseling • Problems • Ed/Voc Guidance • Legal Ethical Issues • Internship

Practicum-Center Stone Mental Health (6 MONTHS)

Provided quality client services, and assisted counselor in group counseling sessions for substance abuse clients. Assisted with intake process and followed up on calls. Referred clients as needed for additional services to help facilitate change in clients. Theoretical Models: William Classer (Reality Therapy), Pyschoeducational Therapy, and Carl Rogers (Person Centered Therapy)

M.A. IN MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY, Murray State University, Murray, KY, 2004

Included course in Multicultural Issues in Human Services, and Developmental Processes.

B. S. IN MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP, Mid-Continent University, Mayfield KY, 2003

Select Courses: Adult Development & Life Assessment • Group & Organizational Dynamics • Organization Communication • Research & Analysis Using Statistics • Financial Control Techniques • Political and Legal Issues • Policy & Strategy • Issues and Servantship • Stewardship & Organizational Ethnics

Additional academic studies:

• General Psychology and Developmental Psychology courses, Hopkinsville Community College, Fort Campbell KY

• Nurse Technician Certification, Tennessee Division of Health Care Facilities, Nashville TN, 1998-2003

• Nurse Technician Certification and Restorative Nursing, Tennessee Division of Health Care Facilities, Nashville TN, 1998-2003, Arizona Medical Training Institute, Phoenix AZ, January 2010

• Georgia Nurse Aide # CN0014180445, Georgia Medical Care Foundation, Atlanta, GA, 02-2011

• Executive Juris Doctrine in Law, Concord University of Law, Los Angeles, CA (1 year completed)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Legal Aspects of Domestic Violence • Effects of Domestic Violence on Children • Case Manager Training • Life Space Crisis Intervention • Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs • Child Abuse Interview & Interrogation • Counseling Approaches with Borderline Personality • Documentation in the Provision of In-Home Services

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

STUDENT INTERN, The Clayton Behavioral Health Services , Jonesboro, GA, 6/3/2011-02/27/2012_____________________

As an intern I have to address issues with consumers with substance and mental health disorders. I have received additional in-service training in clinical documentation. I have conducted individual counseling, group counseling, education, community organizing, management, planning, and program development. As an intern I have served a population setting for customers in child welfare (referral source), developmental disabilities, family service/multi service, forensic/corrections (Referral source) mental health, planning /program development, policy advocacy, substance abuse, adolescents, adults, community residents, elderly, families, lesbian & gay, women, men, people of color, ethic groups, and people with disabilities. My theoretical orientation is based from CBT approach, Solution Focus, and the Matrix Intensive outpatient treatment for people with stimulant use disorders.

• Built rapport with consumers / and assessed substance and drug usage to determine the level of risk, while helping the consumer to establish realistic goals and teach them the necessary skills to solve problems (managing stress, anxiety and related skills to reduce or stop drug or alcohol usage). Assisting the consumer to identify and challenge negative thoughts and behaviors for a positive change. In addition to educating and helping the consumer to understand the state of depression.

• Completed assessments through interviewing, developed treatment plans, and making referral to cases to meet consumer needs, such as counseling, education, family planning, and substance abuse treatment.

• Built relationships and collaborated with partnering agencies, courts, counselors, and psychologists to assess the level of the consumer’s treatment, goals, and needs as to their recovery or other mental health needs.

Case Manager 3, Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) – Phoenix, AZ, 3/2008-8/2009

Advanced from Case Manager 2 to Case Manager 3 within a few months. Managed caseload of 100, conducting home visits and researching family dynamics while investigating allegations of abuse and neglect; also called on essential parties such as hospitals, schools, and physicians. Served as the advocate and voice of the child, prepared for and testified in court, and completed critical documentation, including legal forms. Built relationships with

outside agencies. Supervised team of 6 and trained new hires.

• Built trust with client / families and assessed environment to determine risk level and need for protective services; worked with individuals with mental issues such as bi-polar, schizophrenia, and substance abuse and dependency.

• Completed assessments, developed care plans, and referred cases to meet families’ needs, such as counseling, parenting classes, family planning, and substance abuse treatment.

• Built relationships and collaborated with partnering agencies, attorneys, counselors, and psychologists to review case and options.

JOBS BEHAVIORAL INSTRUCTOR, State of Tennessee Rehabilitation Center, Smyrna, TN, 10/2006-2/2008

Assessed employability of 25 rehabilitation clients; consisted of functioning young adults / adolescents developmentally delayed with conditions such as Down Syndrome and autism that were recovering from injuries and auto accidents. Developed custom client treatment plans tailored to the individual. Observed daily activities and recorded / documented behaviors and activities in detail. Employed behavioral modification techniques

• Facilitated individual / group counseling, in addition to group training with as many as 50 trainees on life skills. Clients consisted of those with dependency issues or limitations, such as relationships, alcohol and drug treatment, and anger management.

• Incorporated client training / visual aids to prepare for employment and foster success. Enhanced training effectiveness by improving content and materials.

• Participated in team meetings to review cases with psychologists and peers, identify resolutions to various issues, and discuss disciplinary action as warranted

• Took personal initiative to raise funds from community / businesses to support organizational programs.

• Identified problems and solutions and implemented behavioral change intervention / prevention programs.

CASE MANAGER 2 / CPS INVESTIGATOR, Tennessee Dept. of Child Services, Clarksville, TN, 8/2003-1/2006

Invested allegations of neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and educational and environmental neglect, managing caseload of 100+ families. Referred cases to external community agencies based on identified needs from assessments completed; included counseling services and drug treatment. Met deadlines for case closure and service requests. Filed various legal papers.

• Planned and conducted child and family team meetings. Handled cases with family members suffering from various forms of mental illness, from substance abuse and bi-polar to schizophrenia.

ACADEMIC ADVISOR / ADJUNCT FACULTY /FACILITATOR, Bethel College, Clarksville, TN, 8/2005-2/2008

Advised and monitored academic progress of non-traditional (adult) undergraduate students in the Organizational and Leadership academic program. Listened to and collaborated with students to identify solutions to academic and personal issues, included extensive experience with students in the military. Participated in faculty meetings.

• Earned the respect of students, teaching courses such as Orientation to Adult Learning, Issues in Management, Strategic Planning, Intro to Business, Human Behavior in Organization, and Personal Finance.

• Served on team in developing capstone research project and played essential role in transitioning to online process to ensure consistency of standards. Presented at workshops to assist students with their projects.

FAMILY COUNSELOR, Family Solutions-Assessment & Counseling Services, Nashville, TN, 5/2005-11/2005

Met with LPC and acquired training. Conducted home visitations and in-home assessments to address a range of issues involving adolescents, from truancy to family issues and gang activity. Determined best solutions based on individual situation.

• Served as case manager for up to 10 families, providing individual assessment and counseling with individual and family; included intensive family preservation, therapeutic mentoring, and treatment assessments.

• Handled issues centered on child-parenting skills, adolescent behavioral matters, addiction / recovery issues, and education.

• Developed treatment plans, and long- and short-term goals working with individuals and family groups.

• Interfaced with courts, mental health agencies, Juvenile Justice Center, school system.

RESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR, Hermitage Hall Sex Offenders Dynamistic Program, Nashville, TN, 7/2000-6/2001

Case managed 15+ residential clients in a male Juvenile Sex Offenders Program. Maintained individual case reports, assessed client progress, safety, and behavior. Teamed with therapists, doctors, and client on developing and reviewing behavioral treatment plans, reunification goals, and discipline measures.

• Coordinating and conducted daily group and individual counseling sessions as well as participated in team strategy meetings, behavioral discipline treatment staffing, and discharge planning.

• Facilitated classroom instruction on life skill development and life space crisis intervention.

THERAPEUTIC PROVIDER, Omni Vision, city, state, 9/1992-11/2001

Fostered warm, trusting environment, providing therapeutic services and care to children / adolescents with a disability classification level of 1, 2, 3, and 4, including behavioral disorders and substance abuse. Assumed special duties as respite provider for care, maintaining daily progress notes, administering medications, and coordinating transportation and placement services.

Additional Experience:

Certified Nurse Assistant / Rehab Nurse Assistant, 11/1998 – 01/ 2003 employed by Hillcrest Health Care, Western State Mental Hospital, Beverly Health Care Rehabilitation Services, Montgomery Co. Nursing HM, and Gateway Medical Hospital.

• I providing age-appropriate, culturally and ethnically sensitive care, maintaining a safe environment, collecting information, communicating effectively, and utilizing technology (blood pressure cup, digital thermometers, scales, lifting equipment, and etc).

• As a CNA provided personal care for patients, assisted with activities of daily living, provided comfort assistance for measures and nourishments, and performed selected therapies as delegated by a licensed professional as to restorative rehab treatments.

• As an CNA, I am competent in writing and communicating effective in English regarding comprehension, observation, reporting, and decision making skills in patient care.

• I have 4+ year experience as a CNA and in Rehab Nursing

SPECIAL AGENT SERGEANT, Correctional Corp of America, 8/1996-8/1998

Supervised, trained, and managed 15+ officers. Oversaw extradition / transport of fugitives, adult males / female prisoners and juveniles. Managed accounts receivables and financial accounts.

Military:1989- 1996, United States Army, Camp Darby, Italy, Fort Jackson, SC, and Fort Campbell, KY.

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