Professional Experience

CLINICAL LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS

Current/Active

NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor – Diagnostic Privilege (LMHC-D)                         Dec. 16, 2019 – Present

• License No. 010086
• Diagnostic Privilege granted March 18, 2025
• LMHC License granted December 16, 2019
• Licensure in Good Standing

NYS Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) Certification # 516369                    Jul. 15, 2023 – Present 

NYS Department of Health Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems 

Basic Life Support CPR & AED (BLS, CPR, and AED)                                                                           Jan. 24, 2023 – Present 

American Heart Association

Temporary Licensure 

NJ Licensed Professional Counselor                                                                                                    Oct. 22, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2022

New Jersey Temporary Emergency License for Out-of-State Practitioners) 

• NJ License Number- NJDCATEMP-030687
• Authorized to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (equivalent to NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor licensure) within the State of New Jersey during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
• Temporary Emergency Licensure allowed provision of mental health services to New Jersey patients though telemedicine, pursuant to P.L.2017, c. 117, or in-person.
• Licensure expired in good standing following NJ Governor ending State of Emergency Declaration.
• For verification plehttps://njconsumeraffairs.nj.gov/NJDCA-TempLicense-Verification/ 

Inactive

NYS Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor-Level 2 (CASAC-2)               Feb. 28, 2018 – Feb. 27, 2021

• Credential No. 29999
• In process of working toward Master CASAC Certification. Completed 30-hours OASAS required supervision training.
• Credential in Good Standing at Time of Inactivation 

Provisional 

NYS Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor-Trainee (CASAC-T)                       Apr. 02. 2014 – Dec. 04 2018 

• Trainee No. 29999

NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor- Limited Permit (LMHC-LP)                                             Nov. 25. 2014 – Nov. 25, 2016 

• Permit No. P95557

CLINICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXPERIENCE 

Nota Bene: 16+ years of trauma- and dissociation-informed clinical experience as a psychotherapist, addictions specialist, behavioral health practitioner, and clinical supervisor skilled in treating complex trauma, dissociation, acute stress disorders, substance use disorders, behavioral addictions, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders. 

LMHC/ Owner and Founder, Hope & Recovery Counseling Services                           Jan. 2020 – Present

• Established comprehensive trauma and dissociation informed counseling services across NYS via telehealth utilizing cutting edge technology.
• Adapted academic research to deliver client-centered, translational evidence-based psychoeducation and psychotherapy services within a neurodiversity affirming treatment model.
• Crafted social media platforms and marketing strategy which includes Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, Interviews.
• Develop strategic partnerships with key market shareholders to improve quality of services.
• Approved and entered into business agreements with vendors, contractors, and insurance panels.
• Authored policies, procedures, and risk management procedure.
• Cultivated client referral network across New York State.

LMHC/Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM)                                                 Feb. 2024 – June 2025

Universal Primary Care

• Established collaborative team-based care with primary care physicians, mid-level practitioners (NP, PA, Certified-Midwives), Nurses, and other clinical support staff to support patients mental and physical health.
• Delivered multiculturally sensitive short-term, integrated, behavioral health and psychotherapy services to patients diagnoses with anxiety and depression spectrum disorders, trauma, and co-occurring disorders utilizing a crisis intervention model that integrates humanistic psychology, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), choice theory, solutions-focused therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, family systems therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing(MI) within a trauma-informed atmosphere.
• Conducted comprehensive evaluations, psychosocial interviews, and psychological assessments as well as formulated patient-centered goals, interventions, and treatment plans.
• Educated patients and their families about common mental health and substance use disorders in addition to available treatment.
• Systematically tracked treatment responses and monitor patients (in person, via telehealth, and/or by telephone) for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects or complications using evidenced based tools (ex: PHQ-9, GAD-7, Y-BOCS, Beck Depression Inventory, etc.)

LMHC/Behavioral Health Therapist I , UPMC Chautauqua                                       Aug. 2019 – Nov.2020

820 Residential Treatment Program for Substance Use Disorders

• Spearheaded development of evidenced-based, recovery-grounded, programming for a 20-bed, co-ed, OASAS- Certified, residential substance use disorder treatment program located at 51 Glasgow Avenue, Jamestown, NY 14701.
• Streamlined workflow processes to include admissions and discharges, daily clinical duties, and other essential job functions to ensure safe resident experiences and staff retention.
• Creatively solved clinical and staffing issues to include scheduling of staff, staffing patterns, etc.
• Provided onsite technical support to staff.
• Mentored staff on development issues related to clinical skills acquisition, using AIDET in routine job assignments, co-occurring disorder treatment, work-life balance, treatment plans, coordination of care, words that work, trauma-informed care, admissions, discharges, teamwork, treatment interfering and destroying behaviors, meeting department needs across the hospital.
• Created a progressive action correction plan which addressed resident issues that may disrupt or harm either resident, staff, and/or the treatment of others
• Collaborated with senior management and other departments to ensure quality of care across the continuum of services offered at UPMC Chautauqua.
• Interfaced with departments across the hospital to find solutions for emergent crises.
• Trained in EMDR and provided services to residents with identified needs and desire to work on this part of their recovery journey.
• Conducted comprehensive evaluations, psychosocial interviews, and psychological assessments as well as formulated client-centered treatment plans.
• Collaborated on an ongoing basis with medical and psychiatric providers to formulate diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations within an evidence-based practice model.

CASAC-2/Senior Counselor                                                                                       Nov. 2016 – Aug. 2019

Outpatient & Inpatient Rehab, and Supervised Medical Withdrawal Programs 

• Provided clinical and administrative supervision to masters and bachelors level clinicians, interns, nurses, peer support specialists, recovery coaches, and unit techs across three clinical settings (supervised medical withdrawal, inpatient, and outpatient) in individual, group, and treatment team formats.
• Clinic Supervision included educating supervisees about addiction and counseling, reviewing clinician cases, presentations, clinician care and rapport, team building, and problem solving.
• Administrative Supervision included reviewing and signing off on treatment plans, taking part in chart utilization review, facilitating treatment team, correcting team errors, redirection, approving referral letters, coordinating outcome measures, etc.
• Redesigned outpatient, inpatient and detox counseling programming with implementation of new treatment schedule that blends peer support led life skills groups (yoga, meditation, budgeting, cooking, activities of daily living, creativity group, activity/recreation groups) with clinical groups (Ex: CBT, DBT, Relapse MGT, Men’s/Women’s Groups). Increased client retention and satisfaction rates.
• Developed successful strategic partnerships with local universities creating a strong internship program for undergraduate and graduate prepared counselors.
• Served as agency liaison to Steuben County Drug Court, Hornell City Drug Court, Probation, and Department of Social Services.
• Maintained on-call status for consultation and emergencies.
• Monitored compliance in collaboration with program director and addressed concerns as they arose.
• Facilitated in-service trainings on verbal de-escalation skills, crisis intervention, suicide/homicide, and violence risk assessment.
• Delivered multiculturally sensitive behavioral health and psychotherapy services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness as well as substance use disorders (particularly histories of trauma) utilizing a crisis intervention model that integrates humanistic psychology, choice theory, solutions-focused therapy, cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT), family systems therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing(MI), and experiential therapies within a trauma-informed atmosphere.
• Interviewed potential hires in consultation with senior leadership and program directors across agency settings.
• Conducted comprehensive evaluations, psychosocial interviews, and psychological assessments as well as formulated client-centered treatment plans.
• Collaborated on an ongoing basis with medical and psychiatric providers to formulate diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations within an evidence-based practice model.
• Managed social media presence on Facebook & Twitter. Created content on topics related to recovery, addiction awareness, and support.

Family Engagement Coordinator, Cattaraugus Community Action, Inc., Salamanca, NY    May 2016 – Nov. 2016

• Founded comprehensive wellness-focused family-based case management services throughout Cattaraugus County that prepares parents to be more accountable and involved in their child’s life. Consistently exceeded meeting quarterly target goals by 95%.
• Supervised case-managers, interns, and support staff and trained staff in human service delivery model.
• Managed yearly operating budget of $100,000. Oversaw all financial expenditures, prepared financial narratives, and operated services consistently below budgetary limitations set forth in grant documents.
• Developed strategic partnerships with human service agencies, County and local courts, medical providers, Department of Social Services, mental health and addictions treatment facilities, and other community agencies to meet clients’ needs during and after crises.
• Conducted intake evaluations, psychosocial interviews, and formulated client-centered plans to engage in community-based supports and services.
• Instituted evidenced-based recovery-oriented group counseling curriculum that prepares clients to translate skills acquired into positive coping tools.
• Advocated for client interests throughout program participation to include status update letters, phone calls, cross-systems meetings, and face-to-face collaborative meetings with identified service providers.
• Analyzed data collected and developed evidenced-based reporting measures and reports.
• Maintained compliance with established federal, state, local laws, code of ethics, and federal grant guidelines.

Mental Health Therapist, Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit                                    Dec. 2015 – May 2016

Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY

• Delivered multiculturally sensitive behavioral health and psychotherapy services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness as well as substance use disorders (particularly histories of trauma) utilizing a crisis intervention model that integrates humanistic psychology, choice theory, solutions-focused therapy, cognitive- behavioral therapy, family systems therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing and experiential therapies within a trauma-informed atmosphere.
• Conducted crisis evaluations, psychosocial interviews, and psychological assessments as well as formulated client-centered treatment plans.
• Designed comprehensive evidenced-based, recovery-oriented group counseling curricula that prepares clients to translate skills acquired into positive coping tools, to manage mental health and addiction issues, and develop stability.
• Collaborated on an ongoing basis with psychiatric providers and medical staff to formulate diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations within an evidenced based practice model.
• Facilitated legal status paperwork for voluntary and involuntary admission of clients to inpatient mental health unit in accordance with New York State Office of Mental Health and other legal mandates.

Counselor III, Emergency Dept./ Adolescent & Adult Inpatient Mental Health Units                    May 2015 – Dec. 2015

Women’s Christian Association (WCA) Hospital

• Delivered multiculturally sensitive behavioral health and psychotherapy services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness as well as substance use disorders (particularly histories of trauma) utilizing a crisis intervention model that integrates solutions-focused therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family systems therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing and experiential therapies within a trauma-informed atmosphere.
• Conducted crisis evaluations, psychosocial interviews, and psychological assessments as well as formulated client-centered treatment plans.
• Provided group psychotherapy on developing positive coping tools using a DBT framework, family dynamics, and other mental health related topics.
• Collaborated on an ongoing basis with psychiatric providers and medical staff to formulate diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations within an evidenced based practice model.
• Facilitated legal status paperwork for voluntary and involuntary admission of clients to inpatient mental health unit in accordance with New York State Office of Mental Health and other legal mandates.
• Trained staff on trauma-informed care and interventions.

Addictions Counselor, Council on Addiction Recovery Services, Inc. (CAReS), Olean, NY          May 2013 – May 2015

• Provided multiculturally sensitive individual and group psychotherapy to individuals diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders.
• Conducted assessments as well as formulated client-centered treatment plans.
• Developed curricula and facilitated groups on men’s issues, nicotine cessation, mindfulness, rational emotive behavior therapy, relapse prevention groups, & suboxone support groups.
• Coordinated care and advocated for client’s interests throughout treatment
• Participated in ongoing continuing education opportunities
• Received and participated in weekly individual and group supervision as well as peer consultation.

GRADUATE PRACTICA 

St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY

Counselor Intern (700 Hours) , The Wellness Center                                              Jan. 2012 – Dec. 2012

• Developed programs and protocol for the Center’s mandated alcohol and drug abuse programs.
• Provided effective counseling services in accordance with ACA established Standards of Ethics.
• Counseled mandated individual drug and alcohol counseling to undergraduate students.
• Developed and presented four workshops that engaged participants in the examination of their use of drugs and alcohol, healthy relationships, stress reduction, and a wellness-focused lifestyle.
• Received and participated in weekly individual and group supervision as well as peer consultation.

Counselor Intern (20 Hours), Counselor Education Collaborative Clinic                Sept. 2011 – Dec. 2011

• Provided individual counseling services to undergraduate students presenting with issues related to academic, social, vocational, career and personal difficulties.
• Conducted intake interviews, which included a complete psychosocial history and lethality assessment.
• Documented effective counseling services in accordance with ACA established Standards of Ethics.
• Received and participated in weekly individual and group supervision as well as peer consultation.

Group Facilitator (36 Hours), “Minding the Stress with Meditation”                      Sept 2011 – Dec. 2011

• Developed and facilitated “Minding the Stress with Meditation”, an eight week, one-hour, psycho-educational group which taught members of the St. Bonaventure University community meditative practices and effective coping strategies to relieve stress.
• Received individual supervision 1 hour per week and group supervision 2 hours per week.

Catholic Charities of Cattaraugus County, Olean, NY

Practicum Intern (100 Hours)                                                                                    Sept. 2011 – Dec. 2011

• Conducted phone screenings and lethality assessment to determine whether individuals were appropriate for counseling services.
• Documented effective counseling services in accordance with ACA established Standards of Ethics.
• Identified more intensive services to best serve the needs of individuals with greater mental health needs.