Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Associations
Organizations And Projects
Media Articles
International Experience
Credentials
Fax
Languages
Private Practice
Specialty Areas
Affiliations
Language Skills
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Generic

Cecille Ahrens, LCSW, CEAP

San Diego

Summary

Accomplished bi-cultural, bi-lingual clinical leader with a strong foundation in assessment, treatment, workplace consultations, workplace violence threat assessments, and crisis intervention. Known for problem-solving abilities and commitment to enhancing company dynamics, ready to drive impactful change in mental health services.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

PRESIDENT/OWNER/PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Transcend Therapy, Inc.
San Diego
01.2010 - 02.2025
  • Delivered individual, group, couples, and family therapy to diverse client caseloads.
  • Oversaw business operations and provided clinical guidance to licensed therapists and interns.
  • Managed a practice with 12 employees across two locations while ensuring service quality.
  • Facilitated team meetings to enhance communication among administrative staff and clinicians.

LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

Ingenesis/Department of Homeland Security Contract
Otay Mesa
08.2015 - 08.2016
  • Duties include completing psychosocial assessments, providing crisis intervention, individual therapy, treatment planning, care coordination and discharge planning to immigrant detainee and inmate population.
  • Detention facility serves a diverse group of people from the US and abroad, often suffering from co-occurring disorders, trauma, substance abuse, homelessness and displacement.
  • Provide staff training as assigned.
  • Obtained government security clearance.

LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN

East County Mental Health - San Diego County
El Cajon
09.2012 - 09.2013
  • Provide Assessment, Triage, Individual and Group Therapy to clients with Chronic and Severe Mental Illness (SMI).
  • Case management, treatment planning and care coordination with clinical team and other providers as clinically appropriate.
  • Part-time position, 20 hours/week.

SENIOR CARE MANAGER

Magellan Health Services
San Diego
11.2011 - 09.2012
  • Utilization Management, Telephonic Mental Health Assessments, Triage, Crisis Intervention, Treatment Planning.
  • Program design and development.
  • EAP Team Lead for the clinical team (TEAP - Telephonic EAP Counseling Team)

SENIOR CLINICAL CONSULTANT

Wellpoint/Anthem Blue Cross
San Diego
11.2007 - 11.2011
  • Company Overview: Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Threat Assessment Liaison for all clinicians in all call centers (San Diego, Denver, New Hampshire).
  • Clinical contributor to state-wide quarterly newsletter.
  • Provide staff training and Continuing Education trainings.
  • Case Management, telephonic mental health assessment, crisis intervention, resource referrals and care coordination to clients accessing their EAP and Behavioral Health benefit.
  • Clinical issues include but are not limited to, substance abuse, dual diagnoses, domestic violence, family issues, child and adolescent issues, marital/relationship problems, chronic pain conditions, suicidal or homicidal clients, homeless population with social service needs.
  • Case manage clients on Mandated EAP Counseling Referrals, mostly due to chemical dependency issues and/or co-occurring disorders.
  • Provide Management Consultations and complete Workplace Violence Threat Assessments with employer groups.
  • Complete behavioral health treatment authorizations by determining appropriate level of care and medical necessity requirements.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EATING DISORDER COUNSELOR (Per Diem)

Harmony Grove
San Diego
10.2008 - 10.2009
  • This position involves facilitation of weekly EDA (Eating Disorder Anonymous) meetings, conducting risk assessments and providing crisis intervention to female adult clients diagnosed with an eating disorder (often dually diagnosed) in a residential treatment program setting.

PSR SPECIALIST (Per Diem)

Community Research Foundation
San Diego
11.2006 - 01.2008
  • Provide mental health assessments, crisis intervention, individual and group therapy, advocacy, referral and resource coordination to dually-diagnosed (and mostly homeless) adults, in a psychiatric facility setting (also known as a START Program - Short-Term Acute Residential Treatment Program).
  • PSR Specialist functions within a multi-disciplinary team of psychiatrist, psychologist, nursing staff and mental health counselors, with the aim of assisting residents in returning to their highest level of functioning in the shortest amount of time.

CRISIS INTAKE COUNSELOR

United Behavioral Health – Public Sector
San Diego
04.2007 - 11.2007
  • Provide telephonic suicide and crisis intervention serving San Diego County.
  • This department is also known as San Diego County’s 'Suicide Hotline'.
  • Complete clinical assessments and provide mental health and substance abuse triage.
  • Complete inpatient and outpatient treatment authorizations for Medi-Cal recipients by determining appropriate level of care and medical necessity requirements.

THERAPIST

MHS-STEPS Program
San Diego
01.2006 - 04.2007
  • Provide individual, group and family therapy to sexually reactive/sexually abusive children, adolescents and their families, treatment planning and care coordination with CWS workers and Probation Officers.
  • Medi-cal and TERM clients.
  • Voluntary and court-ordered clients.

THERAPIST

Palomar Family Counseling Services
Escondido
03.2005 - 01.2006
  • Provide individual and family therapy and behavioral intervention to children and adolescents in EPSDT Program.
  • Provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, provide crisis intervention and perform administrative responsibilities as required.
  • Medi-cal and TERM clients.

PROGRAM MANAGER – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT SHELTER

Center for Community Solutions
San Diego
05.2004 - 02.2005
  • Program management involving the oversight of 24/7 operations of 30-day, 30-bed emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
  • Provide case management services to shelter residents; crisis intervention; participate in various community collaborative groups; facilitate domestic violence groups, supervision and training of regular, relief and volunteer staff; responsible for the interview and hiring process of staff and volunteers; community outreach; overall program development.

THERAPIST/SOCIAL WORKER

Compass Rose Residential Treatment Program
Sacramento
12.2003 - 04.2004
  • Individual, group and family therapy provided to SED children in a level 12 residential treatment facility; case management; crisis intervention; assessment and diagnosis, completing clinical reports.
  • Provide staff training as required.

TEAM FACILITATOR/EMPLOYMENT TRAINING SPECIALIST

Inalliance
Sacramento
02.2002 - 04.2004
  • Dual position involving the supervision and training of a team of employment training specialists working with adults with developmental and/or psychiatric disabilities.
  • Provide vocational training and behavioral intervention to consumer caseload; Assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, job development; conduct interviews of interested job applicants and make hiring recommendations to program manager.

CHILD CARE WORKER

Gateway Residential Program
Sacramento
01.2002 - 04.2004
  • Provide supervision to sexually-abusive youth (a.k.a. juvenile sex offenders) in a group home setting.
  • Individual and group counseling; crisis intervention; write weekly behavior reports; administer medications and other administrative duties.

CRISIS LINE PROGRAM SUPERVISOR

WEAVE (Women Escaping A Violent Environment)
Sacramento
07.2001 - 01.2002
  • Program Management involving the hiring and oversight of 24/7 operations of domestic violence and sexual assault crisis line.
  • Supervise, train and support staff comprising of direct hire staff, volunteers and on-call interpreters; maintain updated referral information and develop crisis line procedures; advocacy and community outreach; crisis intervention to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNSELOR - CPS Program

WEAVE (Women Escaping A Violent Environment)
Sacramento
09.2000 - 07.2001
  • Individual and group counseling to women who are mandated by Child Protective Services (CPS) to attend WEAVE's 9-week domestic violence program; crisis intervention to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; facilitation of drop-in groups; advocacy; training and community education.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNSELOR

Domestic Violence Resource Center
Brisbane
02.1999 - 07.2000
  • Counseling, crisis intervention, crisis phone work, court assistance and support, provision of legal information, advocacy and community education.

SOCIAL WORKER

Women’s Legal Service
Brisbane
11.1998 - 07.2000
  • Provide crisis intervention, referral and advocacy services to clients with issues relating to domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
  • Coordinate legal advice sessions, provide staff training and conduct resource development.

YOUTH WORKER

Dept of Families, Youth & Community Care
Brisbane
08.1997 - 08.1998
  • Provide supervision to adolescents on probation orders, within a range of program activities; crisis intervention and supportive services.

Education

MSW -

The University of Queensland
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Skills

  • Employee assistance
  • Workplace consultation
  • Employee training
  • Critical incident response
  • Psychosocial assessment
  • Behavioral health services
  • Treatment planning
  • Crisis intervention
  • Resource referral
  • Cultural competency
  • Problem solving
  • Conflict resolution
  • Life transitions
  • Advocacy skills
  • Career counseling
  • Short-term counseling
  • Grief counseling
  • Self-care strategies
  • Clinical assessment
  • Suicide prevention
  • Anger management
  • Training delivery
  • Wellness promotion
  • Trauma support
  • Organizational skills
  • Mental health awareness
  • Team collaboration
  • Clinical supervision
  • Business operations

Websites

Certification

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), California, LCS 24126, 09/01/07
  • Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), 2011
  • EMDR Certified Provider - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, 2018
  • IFS Trained - Internal Family Systems, 2019

Associations

  • NASW
  • EMDRIA
  • EAPA

Organizations And Projects

  • Transcend Therapy, Inc., A private practice in San Diego whose vision is to provide the most responsive and efficacious psychotherapy services in San Diego County.
  • Papillon Wellness, Inc., A recently launched non-profit whose mission is to modernize and revolutionize mental health care to those who are uninsured, under-insured and the middle class residents of San Diego.
  • Get Mental Podcast, A Podcast on all things mental health, formerly a radio show on 1170AM The Answer San Diego.
  • Life With Cecille, A mental health show featuring influencers, disruptors, movers and shakers who are making a mental health impact in their respective communities.

Media Articles

11/01/20, VOGUE, Why I'm using this pared-down holiday season to re-write my relationship with food., 12/21/20, PBS NewsHour, How to care for your mental health this holiday season., 12/01/20, LAPP, If you want to work with people of colour, start treating them right, 12/01/20, THERAVIVE, The Value of Comics in Mental Health Education, 11/30/17, SAN DIEGO VOYAGER, Meet Cecille Ahrens of Transcend Therapy, 11/24/20, ShoutOut SOCAL, Meet Cecille Ahrens: Psychotherapist/Entrepreneur/Speaker

International Experience

  • Domestic Violence Counselor, Domestic Violence Resource Center, Brisbane, Australia, 02/01/99, 07/01/00, Counseling, crisis intervention, crisis phone work, court assistance and support.
  • Social Worker, Women’s Legal Service, Brisbane, Australia, 11/01/98, 07/01/00, Provide crisis intervention, referral and advocacy services to clients.
  • Youth Worker, Dept of Families, Youth & Community Care, Brisbane, Australia, 08/01/97, 08/01/98, Provide supervision to adolescents on probation orders.

Credentials

  • LCSW
  • CEAP

Fax

888-618-3258

Languages

Filipino-Tagalog, written and oral abilities

Private Practice

2010, www.transcendtherapyca.com

Specialty Areas

  • Trauma
  • PTSD
  • Domestic Violence
  • EAP
  • Management Consultations
  • Workplace Violence/Threat Assessments
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Relationship Counseling
  • Grief and Loss
  • Self-Esteem
  • Existential Issues
  • Women's Issues

Affiliations

  • Writing, Yoga, Singing, Dancing

Language Skills

Filipino-Tagalog
Professional

Accomplishments

  • ORGANIZATIONS AND PROJECTS FOUNDED

    Transcend Therapy, Inc.
    A private practice in San Diego whose vision is to provide the most responsive and efficacious
    psychotherapy services in San Diego County. Transcend Therapy currently employs a total of 12
    employees, has two locations and continues to grow and expand it's reach. For more information, please
    visit www.transcendtherapyca.com

    Papillon Wellness, Inc.
    A recently launched non-profit whose mission is to modernize and revolutionize mental health care to
    those who are uninsured, under-insured and the middle class residents of San Diego. For more
    information, please visit wwwpapillonwellness.org.

    Get Mental Podcast
    A Podcast on all things mental health, formerly a radio show on 1170AM The Answer San Diego. Get
    Mental's mission is to normalize conversations about mental health, de-construct concepts and ideas and
    simplify the language around mental health. We are proud of our hash tags #weallhaveissues and
    #sciencetothestreets!

    Life With Cecille
    A mental health show featuring influencers, disruptors, movers and shakers who are making a mental health impact in their respective communities.

MEDIA ARTICLES AND FEATURES:

USA Today, Vogue, PBS Newshour, Business Insider, Yahoo, Theravive, Very Well Mind, Parents.com, San Diego Voyager, ShoutOut Socal

CORPORATE TRAININGS:

Chevron, Anthem Blue Cross, Pacific Rim Mechanical, Girls Scouts, San Diego Rebels, Albion Football Club

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

Ingenesis/Department of Homeland Security Contract
08.2015 - 08.2016

LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN

East County Mental Health - San Diego County
09.2012 - 09.2013

SENIOR CARE MANAGER

Magellan Health Services
11.2011 - 09.2012

PRESIDENT/OWNER/PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Transcend Therapy, Inc.
01.2010 - 02.2025

EATING DISORDER COUNSELOR (Per Diem)

Harmony Grove
10.2008 - 10.2009

SENIOR CLINICAL CONSULTANT

Wellpoint/Anthem Blue Cross
11.2007 - 11.2011

CRISIS INTAKE COUNSELOR

United Behavioral Health – Public Sector
04.2007 - 11.2007

PSR SPECIALIST (Per Diem)

Community Research Foundation
11.2006 - 01.2008

THERAPIST

MHS-STEPS Program
01.2006 - 04.2007

THERAPIST

Palomar Family Counseling Services
03.2005 - 01.2006

PROGRAM MANAGER – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT SHELTER

Center for Community Solutions
05.2004 - 02.2005

THERAPIST/SOCIAL WORKER

Compass Rose Residential Treatment Program
12.2003 - 04.2004

TEAM FACILITATOR/EMPLOYMENT TRAINING SPECIALIST

Inalliance
02.2002 - 04.2004

CHILD CARE WORKER

Gateway Residential Program
01.2002 - 04.2004

CRISIS LINE PROGRAM SUPERVISOR

WEAVE (Women Escaping A Violent Environment)
07.2001 - 01.2002

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNSELOR - CPS Program

WEAVE (Women Escaping A Violent Environment)
09.2000 - 07.2001

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNSELOR

Domestic Violence Resource Center
02.1999 - 07.2000

SOCIAL WORKER

Women’s Legal Service
11.1998 - 07.2000

YOUTH WORKER

Dept of Families, Youth & Community Care
08.1997 - 08.1998

MSW -

The University of Queensland

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