In addition to my responsibilities as the Director of Admissions, I also oversee the utilization review department. As the Director of UR, I am responsible for managing the staff that review clinical information with insurance case managers to conduct initial and concurrent reviews, with the goal of securing clients' time in treatment to enable the best possible outcomes. I conduct chart reviews, supervise direct management of client cases, and provide ongoing daily supervision to all my staff.

As the admission and assessment supervisor at Destination Hope I continue to work with clients and families to complete admission assessments while also supervising the assessment team. We complete in-depth mental health and substance abuse assessments to determine appropriate program placement and potential need for referrals to higher levels of care. We work together as an admissions team to verify insurance, coordinate detox and stabilization, and identify emergent issues to provide the best possible care for each client. The assessment is an in-depth look at the client's recent and past behaviors and issues that enables a clinical determination of their treatment needs. Our goal is always to provide for the client and families to enable them to begin the process of recovery. Meeting with families and coordinating with case managers and clinical teams in previous programs, including residential treatments and inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations, is a critical aspect of our work. I currently hold my license in mental health counseling and have used my previous clinical experience and ongoing development of clinical and administrative skills in all ares of my work.

As an admissions counselor at Destination Hope I conduct admissions assessments on adults entering treatment for substance abuse and mental health conditions. I work with a team of admissions staff to verify insurance, coordinate detox and transport, and assess presenting issues and pre-existing concerns to provide clients with appropriate care in PHP and IOP settings. The assessment is an in-depth look at client's recent and past behavior and issues to provide the director of admissions with necessary information to place the client in the appropriate program to meet their treatment needs and begin their process of recovery.

As a therapist at Fort Lauderdale Hospital I work individually with children and adolescents to complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments, treatment plans, case conceptualizations, discharge plans, individual therapy sessions, and skill development. I work with children and adolescents in individual therapy, psychoeducational groups, process groups, and family therapy sessions. I have specialized in working with adolescents and their families since I began my per diem work, developing an understanding of the importance of involving the family in all aspects of treatment and discharge planning to promote the most positive outcome for children and adolescents. I have experience working with a treatment team to develop a multidimensional picture of the client and their individual needs, working closely with the nurses, mental health technicians, supervisors, and psychiatrists at the hospital.

As a per diem therapist at Fort Lauderdale Hospital I was responsible for the same tasks as a primary therapist, however, I worked with both adults and adolescents on a part-time basis.

As an intern therapist I was able to work individually with clients to complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments, work with adults and adolescents in individual therapy, and facilitate psychoeducational and process groups for adults and adolescents. I was also able to observe and assist in case conceptualization and treatment planning with the full-time therapists and psychiatrists. At the end of my internship I was able to complete treatment plans and assessments on the unit. At the hospital I had the opportunity to spend my Fall semester on the Adult Psychiatric Services unit and my Spring and Summer semesters on the Acute Adolescent unit.

As an intern at Jack and Jill I was able to assist with assessments, the scoring of AAPIs and other psychological tests, data input and analysis, and the administrative tasks of running a community center. My internship has also provided me with invaluable knowledge about how such a community center can connect people with necessary services in their community.

I was a research assistant in the area of Social Cognition during the duration of my senior year at the University of Florida. We conducted computer research with university students studying the various effects that social relationships and social exclusion/inclusion have on cognitive abilities.Skills:Proficiency using SPSS computer software. Facilitating psychoeducational groups for adults and adolescentsAdministrating and completing comprehensive psychosocial assessmentsConducting individual therapy with adolescents and adults in an inpatient settingCompleting comprehensive intake assessmentsDeveloping case conceptualizations and treatment plansConducting individual therapy in an outpatient setting