Deborah Summers is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in counseling, case management, and crisis intervention. She has worked extensively with individuals struggling with substance abuse, mental illness, trauma, and criminal justice involvement. Her experience includes positions at Samaritan Village, FEMA, Episcopal Social Services, and Unity House.
1. Deborah Summers, LMSW
646-498-2976 - debsumnyr@yahoo.com
CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Compassionate clinical social worker, dedicated to improving the lives of individuals by assisting them in achieving their highest
level of independent living. Expert in cultivating rapport with clients, working to design a best -fit treatment plan for each person.
Able to see clients as individuals with unique needs, not carbon copies with rigid treatment plans.
Strong social work background and passion for helping others.
Core Competencies:
Advocacy Human Relations Staff Training Suicide Prevention Crisis Management
Outcome Reporting Client Assessment Court Documentation
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Samaritan/Daytop Village Inc.·2014-current
Senior Substance Abuse Counselor
Provides behavioral counseling and education to a mandated substance abuse population through individual and group sessions.
• Conducted Intensive Outpatient Groups, Women’s Groups, DWI Groups and Thinking for Change Groups
• Responsible for development of treatment plans that reflect an understanding of specialized Track issues as
related to the physical, medical, cognitive and psychosocial needs and specific diagnosis.
• Facilitate group and individual counseling sessions
• Demonstrate knowledge of clinical tasks
• Complete psychosocial and admission process with client
FEMA/FOH·2012-2013
Stress Counselor
Through a contract with Magellan/Federal Occupational Health, provided supervision, stress counseling, crisis managemen t, short-term
consultation and job coaching skills to over 2,000 FEMA Workers at the New York Joint Field Office.
• Conducted stress counseling.
• Conducted presentations on Wellness, Stress Management, Resiliency, and Vicarious Trauma.
• Conducted solution focused Short-term therapy and made referrals to EAP as needed.
• Assessed stress levels of Workers at FEMA centers.
• Coached FEMA workers on how to interact with Hurricane Sandy Victims.
2. Deborah Summers, LMSW
646-498-2976 - debsumnyr@yahoo.com
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• Provided management consultations to supervisors about stress counseling.
• Coordinated and delivered counseling services to FEMA workers at Disaster Recovery Centers in
Brooklyn, Rockaways, Staten Island and Westchester County, in addition to Joint Field Offices.
• Collaborated with other departments of FEMA and with top administration officials concerning stressors
that workers faced at the Disaster Recovery Centers and FEMA Centers.
• Compiled data, completed daily and weekly reports for supervisors at FOH/Magellan. Performed trend
analysis.
• Generated weekly Wellness Letter for FEMA employees and participated in Wellness Committee.
EPISCOPAL SOCIAL SERIVES CENTER 2011-2012
Mental Health Therapist (2012)
Provided mental health services to children and adolescents with behavioral and emotional needs. Provided assessments, individual
and group, family and play therapy with a trauma focus lens.
• Provided mental health management.
• Developed initial and quarterly treatment plans.
• Provided crisis intervention sessions.
• Assessed need for Substance Abuse counseling.
• Communicated evaluations, reports with medical and psychiatric staff, program staff, foster parents and
outside agencies.
Family Worker (2011-2012)
Worked with families to advert foster care placement of children. Provided casework counseling, assess family needs and made
outside source referrals as needed. Conducted home visits to monitor child safety and family needs.
• Helped clients to plan and accomplish strength based goals and develop independence.
• Produced variety of reports tracking progress and detail events and treatment outcomes.
• Conducted Family Treatment Conferences.
• Facilitated Parenting and Children’s groups.
3. Deborah Summers, LMSW
646-498-2976 - debsumnyr@yahoo.com
PAGE 3
LONG ISLAND JEWISH HOSPITAL – FAR ROCKAWAY TREATMENT CENTER 2009-2010
Social Work Intern
Evaluated types of patients and treatments (co-occurring disorders or substance abuse) and determined length of care needed to
successfully complete the program and meet court and legal requirements. Helped clients to plan and accomplish goals based on their
strengths.
• Produced a variety of reports to track progress and to detail events and treatment outcomes.
• Direct weekly breathalyzer and toxicology tests.
• Oversaw wee kly g roups: Relapse Prevention, Chemica l Dependency, Women’s Group, Case Load, A nger
Management, Family Issues, and Community Meeting.
FAMILY CENTER/BEDFORD STUYVESANT FAMILY SERVICES 2008-2009
Social Work Intern
Assessed category of client allocations for individuals and families, children, and adults. Evaluated types of patients, treatments, and
length of care.
• For referred clients, oversaw home outreach.
• Supported clients with variety of needs via weekly family sessions.
• Coordinated monthly and bi-monthly home visits.
• Aided clients in planning goals based on their strengths for better possibility of successful completion.
• Created a variety of reports to track progress and to detail events and treatment outcomes.
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES 2008
Social Work Intern
Wrote reports and completed documentation for court appearances. Helped clients plan and accomplish goals during their time in the
program. Observed client school attendance while they were in the program. Directed the required urinalysis for clients.
4. Deborah Summers, LMSW
646-498-2976 - debsumnyr@yahoo.com
PAGE 3
UNITY HOUSE 2002-2008
Case Manager III (2004-2008)
Participated in ongoing interactions with clients for this nonprofit association serving adults with severe and persistent me ntal illness
(SPMI) and co-occurring disorders.
• Gave supportive counseling while adhering to the agency’s service philosophy and mission.
• Created a weekly service plan for clients to encourage progress toward goals and aspirations.
• Documented progress and wrote final outcome reports.
• Supported and guided clients in their journey to independence.
• Performed training in problem solving and crisis intervention techniques.
• Focused on reduction of psychiatric hospitalizations.
• Created service plans and completed treatment plans to reduce medical complications and hospitalizations.
• Worked with critically/chronically ill clients to help improve quality of life.Prepared clients for
independent living.
Counselor III (2002-2004)
Participated in ongoing interactions with clients. Gave supportive counseling while adhering to the agency’s service philosophy and
mission. Supported and guided clients in their journey to independence.
• Performed training in problem solving and crisis intervention techniques.
• Focused on reduction of psychiatric hospitalizations.
• Created service plans and completed treatment plans to reduce medical complications and hospitalizations.
• Prepared clients for independent living.
5. Deborah Summers, LMSW
646-498-2976 - debsumnyr@yahoo.com
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HEARTLAND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSPITAL 2000-2002
Team Leader of II South (18-bed Sex Offender Unit)
Cared direct ly for eighteen sex offenders from ages ten to eighteen. Documented all incidents and restraints. Supervised unit staff,
coordinated schedules and facilitated weekly team meet ings. Responsible for training staff during orientations, including helping
Director of RTC execute a new Courage to Change sex offender program. Curate petty cash and allowances. Planned weekly outings
for the youths.
Key Accomplishments:
Developed Positive Peer Culture groups for the youths and trained staff in maintaining program.
Prior to 2000, worked as Administrative Assistant to the Director of Residential Treatment and Director of Social Work at
Heartland Behavioral Health Hospital. Also served as Youth Care Worker for Youth Corrections.
EDUCATION and DEVELOPMENT
Licensed Masters of Social Work, New York
Masters of Social Work, Hunter College School of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University at Albany
Guest Speaker at Wagner College, (2013, 2014), New York
Sign Language Center, New York (ongoing)
Associate in Applied Science, Marketing Management/Small Business Management,
Aim Community College
TRAINING
Life Space Crisis Intervention Constructive Anger Management Communication Skills
Performance Improvement Process and Team Training (QA) Victim Advocacy
Bonding and Attachment Issues Deviant Sexual Behavior
Seven Challenges (Drug and Alcohol Abuse) Borderline Personality Disorder
VOLUNTEER WORK
Crime Victims and Sexual Assault Center, Volunteer