This document is a resume for Mary Beth Gustafson, an MSW social worker with over 22 years of experience in aging, education, mental health, and medical social work. She has worked as a hospice social worker, counseling program manager, oncology social worker, and assisted living social worker. Her experience includes providing counseling, assessments, care planning, education, and collaboration on interdisciplinary teams. She holds an MSW and has experience teaching graduate social work courses.
Caring Resources, dementia care consultant, principal business owner providing cost-effective approaches to dementia care, identifying additional resources, recommending environmental accommodations and training caregivers and family members to provide specialized dementia care.
Presentation by Janelle Mort - Strengthening our Community by Supporting our Staff. A case study of supporting a staff member with PTSD to find healing and safety at work. Presented at the Western Australian Mental Health Conference 2019.
Presentation by Lucy Jestin and Richelle Seales. Womens Health and Family Services, Be Well program. Presented at the Western Australian Mental Health Conference 2019.
Presentation by Katie Curo of Befriend Inc. - Activities Aren't Relationships: Supporting relationship outcomes using social identity approaches. Presented at the Western Australian Mental Health Conference 2019.
Caring Resources, dementia care consultant, principal business owner providing cost-effective approaches to dementia care, identifying additional resources, recommending environmental accommodations and training caregivers and family members to provide specialized dementia care.
Presentation by Janelle Mort - Strengthening our Community by Supporting our Staff. A case study of supporting a staff member with PTSD to find healing and safety at work. Presented at the Western Australian Mental Health Conference 2019.
Presentation by Lucy Jestin and Richelle Seales. Womens Health and Family Services, Be Well program. Presented at the Western Australian Mental Health Conference 2019.
Presentation by Katie Curo of Befriend Inc. - Activities Aren't Relationships: Supporting relationship outcomes using social identity approaches. Presented at the Western Australian Mental Health Conference 2019.
My main objective is to address how; urban poverty, hunger, gentrification, lack of attention to disease prevention, malnourishment, food deserts, lack of green-spaces and other social-environmental health issues play a direct role in the long and short term mental and physical health of individuals and families.
SUMMARY
I’ve cultivated years of experience with the drive to always make a difference. Graduate school included study in higher education, and community based counseling with a year-long practicum in a college counseling center. Following graduate school my work was largely with adolescents, then instructing students at a community college. Upon obtaining licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor, the focus of my career became clinical in nature; affording me the opportunity to develop very strong clinical skills – through regular assessments, crisis oriented work, providing therapy (individual, couples, and groups) and treatment planning. I work from a theoretical perspective of dialectical behavior therapy for clients needing structure and tools, and strong
Mercy Health System | Mercy Options Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic | January 2005 – present
In this position as Clinical Therapist, I provide individual and group therapy to clients with diagnoses ranging from borderline personality to anxiety/depression. Working with families, individuals, couples, and groups: I provide high quality therapy that is largely from the working theories of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Clients learn mindfulness techniques, ways to tolerate stress better, strategies for regulating emotions, and interpersonal skills. Collaboration every week is a facet of being on this team that I value highly and I appreciate the consultative nature of this work environment. I’ve been outspoken when necessary, giving voice to matters affecting the LGBTQ community. As a strong team member I am sought for regular case collaboration, assistance with EPIC knowledge and skill, and frequently take the referrals of clients with severe mental illness.
Beaver Dam School District | Alcohol and other Drug Education Coordinator | August 2007 – 08
As a community organizer, I brought together the community and the school district to address issues related to alcohol and drug abuse. As a team, we provided education, and advocacy – organizing assemblies for elementary to high school students. I provided assistance in writing grants to the State of Wisconsin to fund these types of programs.
Affiliated Counseling Center | Beaver Dam, WI | Licensed Professional Counselor | 2008
I met with clients and provided psychotherapy services. I contributed in reception and billing, securing a partnership contract with a large HMO, which allowed us to serve a broader portion of the population.
Psychology Associates | Madison, WI | Licensed Professional Counselor | 2004
In this position, I sought referral resources in the community via meetings and marketing materials, and provided assessment and therapy to clients.
1. Mary Beth Gustafson, MSW, LICSW
3812 Garfield Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55409
612-823-3651
mary.gustafson1@gmail.com
A professional in medical social work, aging, education and mental health fields for twenty-two years with
combined experience in intergenerational programming and volunteer supervision. Recognized by supervisors
and colleagues as a flexible, conscientious team player with natural leadership skills. Dedicated to providing
excellent communication skills that empower individuals and groups to discover their full potential.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Fairview Homecare & Hospice
Hospice Social Worker – Case Manager 2008 – 2010
Hospice Social Worker – Admission Clinician 2011 - present
Provide information, resources and supportive counseling for end of life planning with patients and family
members in their homes. Conduct psychosocial assessments, provide education regarding hospice care and
develop care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
Assist 25 – 38 patients and their family members in understanding and maximizing hospice services to
support their end of life goals.
Collaborate with facility staff, Skilled Nursing Facility, Assisted Living Facility, Group Home and to
provide necessary and desired care for patients.
Fulfill Medicare Conditions of Participations including documentation, frequency of visits 1-3 times a
month or as needed, and ensure patient understanding of their Medicare Hospice benefit.
Educate patients and families on hospice philosophy, services and Medicare Hospice benefit in their homes
or in the hospital and conduct initial psychosocial assessments.
Mentor new staff to hospice social role as an admission clinician preceptor.
Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly
Counseling Services Peer Program Manager 2010 - 2011
Recruit, train and supervise older adult volunteers (peers) to provide weekly counseling services to those who
are 60 years and older struggling with grief and loss, adjustment issues and mild to moderate depression and
anxiety.
Conducted comprehensive mental health assessments in the client’s home to determine counseling needs.
Supervised MSW Student Interns and provided consultation for program staff at Little Brothers -
Friends of the Elderly.
Planned, implemented and coordinated monthly training sessions for volunteers and staff on various topics
to enhance peer counseling skills.
Planned, implemented and collaborated with multiple agencies to offer support groups for older adults in
the community, including a Sharing your Life Story group with Russian Immigrants.
Planned, coordinated and implemented a 36-hour comprehensive training for new peer volunteers.
2. Fairview Southdale Hospital
Oncology Social Worker 2005 – 2008
Conduct psychosocial assessments and collaborate with interdisciplinary team on patient treatment plans.
Provide education, support and counseling to patient and family members experiencing cancer, mental illness
and various diseases.
Assisted with developing and implementing a discharge plan with patient and family members to enhance
their quality of life.
Provided social services and prioritized needs of patients on cardiac and surgical units in addition to
oncology/medical unit on the weekends.
Lead social worker on two committees: Oncology Partnership and Hospice Referral Improvement Process.
Amherst Wilder Foundation
Social Worker 2004 - 2006
Provide social services to 27 residents within Dunedin Assisted Living Program serving older adults and people
with mental illness within a St. Paul Public Housing building
Developed, implemented and evaluated effective social service plans in order for clients to be able to
achieve the highest level of functioning within the least restrictive environment.
Established and maintained meaningful, professional relationships with clients and effectively assisted the
clients to attain goals and provided resources as needed.
Provided educational and emotional support to clients and families in managing stressful situations and
served as client advocate.
EDUCATION
Masters of Social Work 2002
University of St. Catherine/University of St. Thomas; Saint Paul, Minnesota
Bachelor of Science, Elementary and Special Education 1992
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse; La Crosse, Wisconsin
Study Abroad: Intensive Russian Language Center: Dubna, Russia 1991
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Adjunct Faculty - University of St. Catherine/University of St. Thomas
Taught thirteen Master’s of Social Work students and two Bachelor of Social Work students a course
entitled, Social Work Practice with Older Adults and Their Families, 2012
Published author – Growth and Development through Group Work; “Restorative education: Group-
Centered dialogue between students and faculty at a graduate school of social work.”
The Haworth Press, Inc., 2004
Clinical Research Project – Paper submitted and presented, May 2002: The Strengths Lesbian Elders Bring
to Aging: Revisiting Voicing the Legacy: A Documentary about Aging and Ageism in Lesbian
Community