1. Alyssa B. Brelsford
203-583-6113
abrelsf@optonline.net
Education
Columbia University Graduate School of Social Work MSW Candidate
New York City, NY Advanced Clinical Practice
University of Saint Joseph BSW 2014
West Hartford, CT Social Work, Spanish
Awarded Presidential Scholarship Latino Community Practice Concentration
Language
Spanish (speaking, reading, writing)
Internship
New York Presbyterian Hospital, Domestic and Other Violence Emergencies Program, September 2015-Present
• Provided crisis intervention to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and provide follow up services.
• Covered telephone hotline, all inpatient, outpatient and Emergency Department units in the Hospital to provide crisis
counseling, and advocacy.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary Emergency Department Staff to enhance patient safety and services.
• Mobilized external forces, shelter, New York Police Department, District Attorney’s Office and Advocacy Alliances.
• Provided outpatient, long term, trauma focused therapy, advocacy and case management services to patients.
Alpha Community Services-YMCA, Bridgeport, CT, September 2013-May 2014
• Provided family and individual case-management on a weekly basis for those experiencing homelessness; conducted
biopsychosocial assessments with the head of household.
• Recruited and mobilized volunteers to enhance the physical environment of shelter.
• Developed and implemented research informed youth and child program. Pioneered development of research tool to
measure program success.
Village for Children and Families, Hartford, CT, September 2012-May 2013
• Provided case-management and counseling services to students who were identified as at risk for truancy and drop
out.
• Worked with multidisciplinary team to enhance student’s educational experience; continuously monitored student
functioning, performance and signs of high risk behavior for student safety.
• Collaborated with students to promote their inherent resiliency by setting goals.
Work Experience
Alpha Community Services YMCA, Bridgeport, CT, September 2014-June 2015
Bilingual Clinical Case-Manager and Activities Coordinator. Full-time
• Provided residential case-management and counseling for 15 adults with dual diagnoses in a 50 bed Supportive
Housing Facility.
• Promoted client strengths to advance their wellbeing, enhanced client autonomy, coping skills and problem solving
abilities.
• Collaborated with colleagues and community agencies to advocate and link clients to needed resources.
• Led and recruited community providers to facilitate activities, groups, and workshops.
• Supervised one high school and two college level interns.
• Assisted in the team interview process for prospective employees.
The Village for Children and Families, Hartford, CT, September 2012-May 2013
Positive Youth Development Worker, Part time
• Developed positive relationships with students, caregivers and school staff; highlighted student strengths to promote
continued developmental growth; assisted students to experience positive school and community membership.
• Planned and implemented academic enrichment, positive youth development and recreational activities for students.
• Advocated within a multidisciplinary team to promote student growth, development and academic success.

2. Research Experience
Assistant to Lynn Michalopoulos, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Columbia University, September 2015-Present
• Conducted a literature review and authored the introduction of an article that is set to be published 2016-2017.
• Assisted in analysis of data, looking at correlations between trauma and HIV risk among Labor Migrants in Central
Asia.
Leadership
• Student Ambassador, Columbia University School of Social Work, September 2015-Present
• Member of Students Against Sexual Violence Caucus at Columbia University, Spring 2016
• Participated as a panelist at Columbia University Sexual Assault Awareness Symposium Day, Spring 2016
• Emerging Leaders Employee Group YMCA, October 2014-June 2015
• Nominated by professors and acted on an inter-professional dialogue as social work student on the panel, April 2014
• President of Spanish Club, September, 2013-2014
• Secretary for Social Work Student Alliance, May 2013-2014
• University of Saint Joseph, Leadership Quest, February 2012
Awards
•Leadership award from University of Saint Joseph Social Work Department, May 2014
• Excellence in Foreign Languages Award from University of Saint Joseph Spanish Department, May 2014
Volunteer Experience
• Stratford High School E-mentoring program, supporting students in career pathways, 2015-Present
• St. Gerard’s Center for immigrant women and their children, January 2013-May 2013
• Social Service Group, working with children with limited resources, Taxco, México, May 2013-August 2013
• Service trip to Peru including Lima, Huaraz and Ayacucho, July-August 2011 and May-August 2014
Training Certifications
• Online training in Trauma Focused- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 2016
• Emotional Freedom Technique, Certification in Levels I and II, 2015
• Trauma Sensitive Services- Housing- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services- 2015
• Understanding Mental Health Conditions- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services- 2015
• The Secrets to Creating a Do-able Service Plan - Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services- 2015
• Motivational Interviewing- Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness- 2015
• Addressing Substance Use- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services- 2015
• Creating Tenant Groups- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services- 2015-2015
• Housing Based Case Management- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services - 2015
• Understanding Compulsive Hoarding- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services- 2014
• Understanding Addiction- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services- 2014
Relevant Coursework
• Core Concepts of Childhood Trauma
• Social Work with Sexually Abused Children
• Practice in Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency
• Adult Psychopathology/Pathways to Wellness
• Social Work Practice Group Formation
• Introduction to Complicated Grief
• Social Work With Families
• Clinical Practice Evaluation
• Developmental Aspects of Adolescence
• The Health Care System