A Counseling Option:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

( 503 944-5032

NW Portland, OR

Debbie Bensching, Clinical Social Worker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* MSW * LCSW * ACSW * MSWAC *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." Albert Einstein

Professional Experience

 

Resume: Education, License and Work History

Continuing Education

Education

1989

Behavior Management Training, Portland Community College, Portland Oregon

1988

Master of Social Work, Portland State University, Portland Oregon

1986

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and in Sociology, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington

Professional Memberships, Certifications, and License

2002

1997

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR  

American Mental Health Alliance; Oregon, AMHA

1996

National Association of Forensic Counselors and Addictions Examiners, NAFC/NBAE

1996

Certified Masters of Social Work Addictions Counselor, MSWAC

1993

Academy of Certified Social Workers, ACSW

1991

License in Clinical Social Work, LCSW

1989

Certified Behavior Management Trainer, BMT

1987

National Association of Social Workers, NASW

Professional Experience

CLINICAL PRIVATE PRACTICE, Portland, OR, January 1992-present.

Therapist: provide counseling, education, and mediation/problem solving for clinical issues related to trauma, abuse, addictions, mood disorders, anxiety, grief/loss, life transition, domestic violence, divorce, and blended family issues. Work with individual, couple, and family formats, age 5 and older. Case management provided to clients in the therapeutic relationship. Community outreach: present educational and training seminars on above topics. Supervision: supervise therapists preparing for licensing and group facilitators in PPS grant. Management: duties necessary to run small business: billing, accounting, advertisement, budget, contract negotiations, etc. Consultant: agency organizational development, planning and reorganization, consulting and training.

GROUP THERAPY FACILITATOR, Portland Public Schools Drug and Alcohol Prevention Office, Portland, OR, September 1993-1996.

Provide services outlined by a grant PPS received. Therapist and group skills trainer; implement and adapt curriculum for a variety of drug and alcohol process and insight groups for elementary through high school students. Trained CO-therapist/school staff assigned to CO-lead groups.

FAMILY SOCIAL WORKER, Pacific Gateway Hospital, Portland, OR, April 1991-May 1993.

Family therapist: conduct psychosocial assessment of adolescents and their families. Provide brief family therapy. Prepare families to implement discharge plans and provide on-going treatment information, education, and support to families during child's hospitalization. Represent family system perspective and give recommendations for family interventions to treatment team. Discharge planner: consult with multi-disciplinary treatment team. Coordinate assessment results and treatment recommendations to families and community professionals. Make necessary CPS reports. Initiate referral of adolescents and their families to appropriate resources and prepare families for discharge from a dual diagnosis psychiatric hospital.

ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE SOCIAL WORKER, Albertina Kerr Centers for Children, Portland, OR, June 1989-May1991.

Adoption casework: screen, assess, and study prospective adoptive families, prepare for placement and provide on-going education and support. Counsel birth parent(s). Coordinate legal activities and write court reports. Facilitate relationships between adoption triad; perform post-adoption counseling and related services. Fostercare casework: screen, assess and certify foster homes. Coordinate referral of children and prepare families and children for placement. Provide education and support for foster children and both foster and biological parents. Program development: develop and implement search programs for biological relatives and adoptees. Establish formal training program for foster parents. Revise program filing system and documentation methods. Develop internship program and supervise interns. Community outreach: present community adoption workshops. Conduct community awareness presentations as part of the United Way Speakers team.

CASE MANAGER/THERAPIST, Delaunay Mental Health Center, Portland, OR, June 1988-June1989.

Mental health casework: provide supportive counseling and individual therapy for adults with chronic mental illness, dual diagnosis; consult with multi-disciplinary team in treatment planning. Collaborate with mental health professionals regarding neuroleptic and psychotropic medications. Conduct intake screenings; assess and advise clients in crisis. Provide client advocacy in commitment hearings and voluntary hospitalizations. Program development: develop and implement curriculum of day treatment programs. Establish and facilitate cognitive and social skills groups. Supervise MSW interns.

RECREATION AID/PROGRAM COUNSELOR, Veterans Administration Day Treatment Program, Portland, OR, January 1987-June 1988 (Intern 1/87-6/87).

Assist recreation therapist in planning therapeutic recreation outings, CO-facilitate therapy groups, participate in treatment planning with multi-disciplinary treatment team, perform various administrative functions, case manage individuals. Facilitate milieu therapy and socialization activities, coordinate referrals from psychiatric ward, conduct intake screenings and triage services. All duties involved clients with chronic mental illness, and some dual diagnosis, on an outpatient basis except for a leisure skills group for psychiatric in-patients.

PRIMARY THERAPIST, Clackamas County Adolescent Day Treatment Center, Milwaukie, OR, September 1987-June 1988, Social Work Intern.

Provide therapy and case management for severely emotionally disturbed (SED) adolescents and their families, CO-facilitate groups, implement milieu therapy activities, participate in treatment planning with treatment team, assist with intake assessments of adolescent and their family.

Volunteer Experience

AMERICAN RED CROSS, Disaster Services Responder, September 2005.

Disaster services volunteer. Responds to mental health needs during national disasters as determined by the Red Cross.

AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH ALLIANCE-OREGON, Director of the Board, October 2000-May 2002.

The mission of AMHA is to support and market competent, ethical mental health services that preserve privacy and confidentiality. Directors are responsible to provide leadership to members in advancing AMHA goals in Oregon which include development of ethical mental health contracts between AMHA members professionals and groups; the expansion of AMHA members' opportunities for ethical practice with self-paying clients; and increased mutual support among mental health profesionals.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS OREGON CHAPTER, Director of the Board, October 1997- June 30, 2000.

Responsible for creating program structure which allows members to participate in advancing the purposes of the Association. Policy development for the local chapter; enacting the s of NASW; creating and leading committees necessary to develop programs and activities to carry out programs and services; evaluation and review of Chapter operations and the Executive Director; advocacy for social welfare issues and responsible social services. Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair: reporting to and guiding the Board and Executive Committee on fiscal matters of the chapter such as budgeting and fund raising.

RAPHAEL HOUSE OF PORTLAND, Director of the Board, Portland, OR, September 1996- August 1998.

Responsible to govern the overall services of emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, support services and counseling. Formulation and review of policies, programs, management, and public relations; establishment and review of articles of incorporation and bylaws; financially support the mission and services; resolve issues pertaining to client or staff grievances and contractual compliance; evaluate and review the performance of the ED. Chair of programs and services committee: recruitment of committee members, review and evaluation of programs and services, and formulate appropriate recommendations to the full board. Strategic planning committee member: represent the interests of the clients served, existing programs and services, and to recommend and assist in developing goals, objectives and policies of the three to five year strategic plan. Executive committee member: conducts necessary business between meetings of the full board.

 

Contact Information:

 

Telephone: 503 944-5032

 

Location: 1942 NW Kearney Street, Suite 32

 

Email: debbie@counselingoption.com

 

 

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