Rebecca Withers, BSW, RSWTelephone: (403) 679-8350 Email: withershome@gmail.com

ProfileRegistered Social Worker with clinical experience in concurrent disorders. Excels in the areas of assessment, community development, program creation, and advocacy. 2009 recipient of the ACSW Award of Excellence in Social Work Practice.

Highlights: Excellent capacity to engage with clients Strong case management skills Proven ability to work well within a multi-disciplinary team Self-starter with the capability to work with minimal supervision Successful program design and facilitation

Career Experience:

Mental Health Social WorkerAlberta Health Services 2006 - PresentExtensive clinical experience assessing patients with mental health and addiction issues

Developed and implemented mental health social work position in the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital

Complete mental health and suicide risk assessments. Make recommendations to physicians based upon these assessments and assist with discharge planning

Complete psychosocial assessments and support patients to connect with appropriate community resources

Founding member and current chairperson of H2HC – a committee created to find solutions for homelessness individuals in Banff

Community liaison regarding mental health issues Created and managed centralized intake system for Bow Valley Mental Health and

Addiction Services

Family Support Counsellor 2005 – 2006Wood’s HomesAssisted families to integrate and maintain children in their home environment using a solution-focused approach to family challenges

Created individualized service plans and interventions based on a family’s identified goals and strengths

Discussed and demonstrated practical and specific parenting skills in the areas of child guidance and home management

Modeled effective communication skills and positive family interactions Supported families to develop effective problem-solving skills

Community & Social Justice AdvocateCommunity Connections (Revelstoke) Society 2004 - 2005Acted as an information resource and advocate for individuals attempting to resolve issues between government agencies and themselves

Developed and coordinated a Self-Advocate Group for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Organized and facilitated monthly community information seminars regarding current social issues that were important to the citizens of Revelstoke

Intervened as necessary to assist clients in managing their life challenges while encouraging them to deal with these transitions on their own

Effectively reestablished the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program between various community partners (RCMP, Schools, Community Connections) and successfully mediated resolutions between young offenders and victims

Youth Program CoordinatorRebecca Withers, BSW, RSW 403-679-8350 1

Community Connections (Revelstoke) Society 2003 - 2005Responsible for developing programming for youth aged twelve to nineteen in Revelstoke

Organized 2 – 3 youth events per week attended by 10% of high school students Collaborated with teachers, students, and administrators at Revelstoke Secondary

School to create innovative activities for youth Organized the first “Youth Week” celebration to be held outside of the Lower

Mainland Successfully promoted youth events and activities through various forms of media

(newspaper, television, internet, email)

Education:

Basic Victim-Offender Mediation Certificate 2004Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives This week-long course covered conflict resolution skills, case development, basic victim-offender mediation, and a cost-benefit analysis of victim offender mediation

Child Protection Worker Certification 2002 Ministry of Children and Family Development & Educational AllianceWorked in conjunction with other Child Protection Social Workers while learning about the issues surrounding child abuse

Bachelor of Social Work 2002University of CalgaryCourse work of special interest included Community Development, Social Work with Groups & Families, and Human Sexuality/Gender Issues.

Professional Development:

The DSM-5 Conundrum – Improving Treatment 2015Through Proper DiagnosisDr. Allan Francis

Provincial Concurrent Capable Learning Series 2012 & 2013Addiction Services and AHS

Level One Clinical Training – Bridging the Couples Chasm 2011Gottman Method Couples Therapy

Facilitator Training for Financial Literacy 2011Momentum

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Congress 2008Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services

Treating Co-occurring Disorders 2007Terence Gorski and Dr. Ken Minkoff

Helping Women with Substance Abuse Problems 2007AADAC Enhanced Services for Women

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for BPD 2007Behavioral Tech, LLC

References Available Upon Request

Rebecca Withers, BSW, RSW 403-679-8350 2