Mercy Macharia
WINNIPEG
Summary
Dynamic Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience at Sage Holistic Counselling Inc, excelling in crisis intervention and therapeutic counseling. Proven track record in developing individualized treatment plans and advocating for clients' needs. Skilled in community resource coordination and fostering team collaboration to enhance client outcomes.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Director/Team Lead Mental Health Therapist
Heart Centred Healing & Counselling Therapy
Winnipeg
07.2024 - Current
- Negotiated high-value contracts with vendors and partners to optimize resource allocation.
- Assisted with crisis intervention when necessary, supporting clients and their families.
- Supervised mental health clinicians, ensuring that their practice met professional standards.
- Reviewed client records and conducted assessments to determine the appropriate level of care.
- Developed treatment plans with clients, assessing risk factors and designing individualized interventions.
- Explained policies, procedures, and services to clients.
- Coordinated services with other providers to ensure continuity of care for clients.
- Provided training opportunities for staff members related to evidence-based treatments.
- Mentored newly hired clinicians to provide guidance on best practices.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Provided crisis intervention services to clients experiencing acute mental health emergencies.
- Collaborated with psychiatrists and other professionals to coordinate care for clients.
- Met with probation officers and police to exchange necessary information during treatment.
- Engaged in continuous professional development to stay current with advancements in mental health treatment.
- Responded to crises when severe mental health and behavioral issues arose.
- Counseled family members to assist in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients' recovery to achieve their well-being.
- Referred patients or clients to community resources or specialists.
- Collaborated with psychiatrists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
- Engaged in community outreach to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote available services.
- Worked closely with parents and teachers to implement consistent behavior therapy techniques at home and school.
Travel Mental Health Therapist
FNIHB
Winnipeg
09.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented personalized treatment plans based on thorough assessments and diagnoses.
- Referred patients or clients to community resources or specialists.
- Counseled patients on stress management techniques such as relaxation exercises, mindfulness meditation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
- Consulted with community agencies regarding referrals for additional services or resources that clients need.
- Modified treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with client status changes.
- Counseled family members to assist in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients.
- Maintained detailed client records, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
- Facilitated psychoeducational workshops on mental health awareness and coping strategies for clients and their families.
- Offered teletherapy services to expand access to mental health care for remote or underserved populations.
- Supported patients in developing self-advocacy skills related to their mental health needs.
- Maintained accurate records of client sessions, treatments and progress using an electronic health record system.
- Assisted individuals with stress management, self-esteem and issues associated with emotional and mental health.
- Collaborated with psychiatrists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
- Worked closely with parents and teachers to implement consistent behavior therapy techniques at home and school.
- Conducted therapeutic individual and family therapy sessions.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
- Provided crisis intervention services, including emergency assessments, short-term counseling, referral to appropriate services, or hospitalization if needed.
- Responded to crises when severe mental health and behavioral issues arose.
- Developed and implemented treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
- Referred clients to external resources for additional support.
- Created client treatment plans based on assessments and goals.
- Provided crisis intervention services to clients experiencing acute mental health emergencies.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss complex cases and develop integrated care plans.
- Conducted individual and group therapy sessions to address a variety of mental health issues, utilizing evidence-based approaches.
- Provided individual and group therapy for clients with a range of mental health issues.
- Assessed family dynamics and relationships that may be impacting a client's mental health condition.
- Educated family members on how to support the client through their recovery process.
- Collaborated with mental health professionals and other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.
- Assessed clients for the risk of suicide attempts or harmful behavior toward themselves and others.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
Clinical Social Worker
Sage Holistic Counselling Inc
Winnipeg
10.2024 - Current
- Conducted therapy, provided crisis intervention, and educated individuals and families.
- Counseled clients individually and in group sessions to assist in recovery from mental health challenges and to adjust to life.
- Guided clients in thedevelopment of skills and strategies for dealing with individual problems.
- Provided crisis intervention and long-term counseling to Individual clients and families
- Provided crisis intervention services during emergency situations.
- Counseled individuals dealing with a variety of psychological issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss.
- Monitored and evaluated client progress compared to measurable treatment and care plan goals.
- Assessed client needs and developed individualized treatment plans.
- Advised caregivers on how best to support their children's emotional well-being.
- Maintained accurate records of client progress and interventions provided.
- Conducted assessments to evaluate client functioning in various areas such as mental health, substance abuse, family dynamics.
Mental Health Worker Part-Time
West Central Women’s Resource Centre
11.2024 - 03.2025
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, families, and community stakeholders
- Provide emotional support and counseling to individuals with mental health challenges
- Conduct intake interviews, needs assessments, and risk evaluations
- Assist clients in developing and achieving personal goals related to mental health, education, employment, and independent living
- Support clients in accessing and navigating community resources, such as housing, healthcare, and financial assistance
- Facilitate life skills training, including coping strategies, stress management, and communication skills
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including client progress notes, incident reports, and care plans
- Collaborate with case managers, therapists, and other professionals to ensure continuity of care
- Prepare reports and participate in team meetings to discuss client progress and interventions
- Advocate for clients' rights and needs within the healthcare system and the community
- Reduced program cost by 60% by contacting multiple stakeholders for donations
- Supervised a team of 16-20 staff members and managed the Drop-In Centre and its operation
- Collaborated with a team of three to develop a Recovery housing program
- Conceptualized and developed the Nest program
- Achieved program success by effectively helping with an individual's ongoing case management.
Director of Community Services
West Central Women’s Resource Centre
04.2024 - 11.2024
- Responsible for planning, organizing and coordinating social service programs
- Oversee the program’s budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits
- Hiring, training, coaching and mentoring team members
- Provide clinical supervision to the team
- Oversee a team of 16-20 employees
- Manage Drop-In Centre operation and Food Security program
- Plan and manage team meetings at all levels of the organization
Program Manager Supportive Recovery Housing
Siloam Mission
07.2021 - 01.2024
- Provide supportive, motivational training and supervision of case managers and support staff
- Hiring, training, coaching and mentoring team members
- Provide clinical supervision through well-coordinated group or one-on-one meetings
- Proactively participate in management meetings
- Provide proficient monetary management, ensuring the program expenses are within the allocated budget
- Develop and foster partnerships with community partners to create service integrations and streamline referrals for service users
Youth Care Worker
Siloam Mission
07.2020 - 07.2021
- Assessment, intervention, service planning, monitoring and evaluation
- Case management
- Performed strong advocacy for the participants' needs in the government and non-government sectors
Team Lead
WRHA Homecare Program Self-Managed Care
04.2016 - 07.2020
- Provide case management, thus including assessment, planning, intervention, and coordination of services
- Assists or supports the client with Activities of daily living (ADL) and independent activities of everyday life according to the client's care plan
- Perform administrative tasks
- Work with the medical team and the family according to the client's care plan
- Maintain effective communication with the staff, family, and the client
- Promote independence and encourage decision-making by recognizing and respecting the client's interests and choices
- Hiring, training, coaching and mentoring team members
- Making and organizing staff schedules and providing ongoing supervision
- Perform ongoing client assessment and change his care plan to fit the client's current needs
- Schedule clients' personal and medical appointments and organize transportation to them
Mental Health Support Worker
WRHA Winnipeg
Winnipeg
03.2017 - 06.2020
- Provided case management, thus including assessment, planning, intervention, and coordination of services for individuals with mental health and co-occurring disorders
- Supported clients with life skills development and personal growth by highlighting their strengths and skills
- Maintained accountability by working within program guidelines and policies
- Performed ongoing assessment of the client's abilities, strengths, new growth, and skills development
- Document any positive or negative changes on the client's file to help appropriately plan client care that fits their needs
- Assisted in Medication administration and documentation
- Assisted in medical and personal booking and follow-up appointments
Home Health Care Provider
WRHA Winnipeg
Winnipeg
08.2014 - 03.2017
- Maintained a safe and sanitary environment
- Assist with Activities of Daily living (ADL)
- Performed tasks assigned for clients, including personal care, ambulation, transfer, positioning, ensuring medication is used as prescribed, feeding and toileting, housekeeping, Client nutritional intake, and client supervision as identified in the Care Plan
- Follows protocol for routine practice and maintaining a safe and sanitary environment
- Performed and organized work according to client needs and assigned tasks
- Maintained accountability by working with program guidelines, observing and reporting changes in client conditions to the Resource Coordinator, and maintaining client confidentiality
- Completes and submits timesheets, mileage reports, and other documentation as required
Education
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy - Marriage and Family Therapy
University of Winnipeg
Winnipeg, MB03-2025
Bachelor of Social Work - BSW, RSW
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB06-2024
CCB - Project Management
Booth University
Winnipeg, MB04.2023
Certificate - Palliative Care Program
WRHA Training Program
Winnipeg, MB09.2016
Certificate - Food Handler
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Winnipeg, MB11.2015
Skills
- Crisis intervention
- Therapeutic counseling
- Individual treatment planning
- Community resource coordination
- Team collaboration
- Client advocacy
Volunteer Experience
- Secretary, Kenya Association of Manitoba, 06/01/23, Present, Not Provided, Not Provided, MB, Not Provided
- Manitoba Representative, Black Mental Health Canada, 04/01/23, Present, Not Provided, Not Provided, MB, Not Provided
- Group Leader, Ushindi Community Connection, 01/01/20, Present, Not Provided, Not Provided, MB, Not Provided
Timeline
Mental Health Worker Part-Time
West Central Women’s Resource Centre
11.2024 - 03.2025
Clinical Social Worker
Sage Holistic Counselling Inc
10.2024 - Current
Travel Mental Health Therapist
FNIHB
09.2024 - Current
Director/Team Lead Mental Health Therapist
Heart Centred Healing & Counselling Therapy
07.2024 - Current
Director of Community Services
West Central Women’s Resource Centre
04.2024 - 11.2024
Program Manager Supportive Recovery Housing
Siloam Mission
07.2021 - 01.2024
Youth Care Worker
Siloam Mission
07.2020 - 07.2021
Mental Health Support Worker
WRHA Winnipeg
03.2017 - 06.2020
Team Lead
WRHA Homecare Program Self-Managed Care
04.2016 - 07.2020
Home Health Care Provider
WRHA Winnipeg
08.2014 - 03.2017
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy - Marriage and Family Therapy
University of Winnipeg
Bachelor of Social Work - BSW, RSW
University of Manitoba
CCB - Project Management
Booth University
Certificate - Palliative Care Program
WRHA Training Program
Certificate - Food Handler
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
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