Denise Wright Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Conduct research & evaluation in the areas of mental and public health, organizational development, provide wellness activities and programs for various organizations and community based organizations. Certification in Integrative Medicine.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Project Director/Coordinator, Substance Use Disorders Division, Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), Washington, DC, 2016-2017. Provided oversight of a million dollar grant from SAMHSA. Knowledge and responsibilities included: • Coordination of participating mental health centers in the substance use treatment program in the application of evidence-based practice. • Monitoring of data• Timely submission of electronic health records• Budget management Manager, Applied Research & Evaluation (ARE) Unit, Office of Program & Policy, Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), Washington, DC 2015-2016. Provided supervision and direction for ARE unit, which functioned as a research and data hub for DBH. Knowledge and responsibilities included: • Culling of data, analysis, and application of data as well as different data platforms. • During tenure, ARE provided services and ongoing technical assistance to over 20 divisions/offices and produced over 120 reports within and external to DBH. • Assigned tasks to staff (7) according to the nature of data delivery and content to expedite requests. • Provided direction for the production of data briefs for publication on the DBH website. Provided expertise in the area(s) of research design, methodology, instrument development• Quality improvement for a wide variety of deliverables including the annual MHSIP, MHEASURE, and Health Homes reports. • Member of the Epidemiology Group and the Child Mortality Commission

Yola, Nigeria

Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, Assistant Professor, American University of Nigeria, Adamawa State, Yola, Nigeria, 2012-2015. In charge of operations for the mental health division of the University which was available for use for up to 1500 students in the AUN community. Knowledge and responsibilities included: • Providing therapeutic intervention for students, staff and faculty• Developed protocols were developed for crisis intervention and prevention. • Trained residence life staff, and other departments at the University in crisis intervention and prevention. • Coordinated efforts with the health clinic to increase the continuity of mental health and health care for students and faculty. • Provided orientation for students on sexually transmitted infections (STIs, HIV/AIDS, and substance use. • Initiated and developed agreements with NDLEA, the government drug facility and psychiatric hospital to provide care for students who needed services. • Designed and implemented the behavioral health component for the University Wellness Program in conjunction with HR Dept. • Provided a weekly column on different topics on mental health and health for the AUN community. • Taught basic and intermediate psychology classes each semester. • Appeared on GOTel (local television station and radio) on a bi-monthly basis to address a variety of issues in mental and community health. • Initiated community development project for the Family and Child Clinic of Yola, providing infrastructural support and medical supplies for pre and post-natal care.• Provided trauma-related care and PTSD intervention for staff and IDP’s in refugee camps who became homeless due to political persecution.

Ph.D., Educational Psychology

Master Of Education (M.Ed.), Educational Psychology