MICHELLE NDLOVU, RSW, MSW
Calgary,AB
Summary
Registered Social Worker, and MSW graduate with nine years of experience in social work. Experienced in psychotherapy, crisis intervention and case management. Extensive knowledge of the DSM criteria of mental health disorders. Presently seeking a challenging and fulfilling work environment, working within a multi-disciplinary team.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Addiction and Mental Health Therapist
Alberta Health Services
11.2023 - Current
- Triaged addiction and mental health calls by providing supportive listening, clinical intervention, psychoeducation, referrals and connected callers to urgent emergency services.
- Assessed imminent risk, and de-escalated active suicidal behaviors, assessed risk of violence and substance related concerns.
- Provided brief intervention to callers, and recommendations within the Law Enforcement and EMS shared response team.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Clinical Counsellor
Self-employed
04.2021 - Current
- Performed independent consultations to individuals seeking private therapy
- Assisted clients with gaining insights, establishing clear goals and planning strategies to reach personal targets.
- Supported individuals navigate their mental health diagnosis within varying dynamics in order to empower and build resiliency
Clinical Counsellor
TELUS Health
09.2020 - Current
- Performed intakes and bookings for patients in need of mental health supports
- Provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and DBT to individuals struggling with mild to severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, BPD, substance abuse, somatic symptoms amongst other health concerns
- Provided synchronous treatment plan for 8-10 weeks, focused on providing psycho-education to individuals on short term disability and long-term disability overcoming, work related concerns, this including mental and physical and health limitations
- Worked in collaboration with multiple stakeholders i.e., insurance companies and psychiatrists, with supporting employees to a safe transition back to work.
- Used imaging and relaxation techniques to develop strengthening and safe zones to facilitate processing of trauma.
Mental Health Counsellor
The Centre for Foundational Development
01.2019 - 08.2020
- Assisted individuals identify and overcome societal issues associated with complex mental health concerns, family dynamics, substance abuse, depression and low self-esteem etc
- Employed methodologies such as cognitive behavioral therapy to assist patients.
- Practiced and engaged clients from a trauma informed approach applying interventions that address the effects of trauma and facilitate healing
- Collaborated closely with interdisciplinary team members with providing adequate care to patients
- Provided psycho-education and awareness to clients developing safety plans and strong coping mechanisms to manage their recovery and wellness
- Utilized digital modes of therapy during COVID-19, ensuring the wellness of new and existing clients
- Rendered treatment with the emphasis on prevention, whilst encouraging optimum mental and emotional health.
Children's Advocate
University Of Calgary
05.2019 - 08.2019
- Association for Children's Education in Pakistan, Worked towards sustainable measures and advocacy towards orphan girls susceptible to varying vulnerabilities and oppression in Pakistan
- Critically analyzed frameworks used towards addressing gender inequality, whilst researching environmental factors that have been shaped by cultural ideologies present in Pakistan
- Assisted with implementation of culturally sensitive methodologies amongst the board of directors
- Aided community organizing within local and international communities, through cultivation of professional relationships in Canada and Pakistan
- Identified new social action strategies that could be welcomed within the project
- Created marketing tools for the organization e.g. social media pages, website, and brochures.
Shelter Worker
Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
08.2017 - 08.2018
- Responded to crisis lines, de-escalating suicidal calls whilst offering counseling supports
- Assessed the mental well-being of potential clients, before intake and discharges
- Provided one on one counseling, utilizing a trauma informed approach
- Facilitated educational life skills training once a week for residents
- Assessed risk of families and children calling into the shelter, whilst collaborating closely with community resources available to ensure safety
- Administered prescription medication to residents, according to prescription.
Community Support Worker
International Needs Ghana
05.2017 - 09.2017
- Facilitated educational children's rights meetings in schools, focusing on child protection
- Provided sensitization training for community members, traditional leaders and religious leaders surrounding the excessive dismissal towards children's rights
- Provided educational community meetings outlining the legal mandates on child neglect, child trafficking, child marriage and child labor
- Assisted with identifying child marriage victims in schools
- Offered counseling services to victims of Trokosi, child marriage and child trafficking, whilst facilitating mediation between high risk children and family members
- Re-unified victims with biological parents, ensuring the social and economic supports were in place to care for the needs of the high-risk children
- Utilized assessments tools that determined the probability of child trafficking and child marriage re-occurring
- Assisted in the drafting of proposals and in the submissions of quarterly reports to donor countries.
Housing Support Worker
Housing Help Centre
05.2015 - 09.2016
- Assisted walk-in clients with housing searches and applications for subsidized housing
- Collaborated with stakeholder such as Housing First program's, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support program in effort to provide housing and financial stability for clients
- Assisted clients with budgeting tools with extending our internal Trusteeship program
- Distributed social assistance cheques, whilst provided basic budgeting skills, to aid financial literacy
- Assisted with the replacement of lost birth certificates and I.D cards
Women's Advocate
YWCA
05.2014 - 09.2014
- Processed intakes and discharges of new and existing clients by completing risk assessments
- Maintained documentation of all verbal interactions with clients, in effort to maintain
- Supervised administration of medication, whilst maintaining records of narcotics consumed
- Collaborated with varying social services that would provide financial and housing resources for eligible clients
- Completed internal and external referrals for transitional housing, whilst advocating for further community resources in preparation for discharges
- Facilitated weekly group supportive life skills training
- Collaborated with team members on harm reduction and safety plans i.e
- Facilitated women empowerment and sexual exploitation training workshops.
Education
Master of Social work -
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB11.2018
Honor Bachelor of Social work - Human Rights & Indigenous studies
Wilfrid Laurier University
Brantford, ON04.2018
Service Worker Diploma - Social Work
Niagara College
Welland, ON06.2014
Skills
- Dependable and self-motivated professional who excels independently and as part of a team
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, proven aptitude in building rapport with clients, staff and community partners
- Deep understanding of systemic challenges and contemporary social problems within an array of individuals and communities
- Experience working in global movements advocating towards gender equality, children's rights, acts against humanity, and sustainability development in conflict affected countries
- Knowledge and understanding of social and environmental issues related to homelessness and mental health
- Actively demonstrates cultural sensitivity when communicating with varying individuals
- Compassionate with the ability to relate to people in an objective and empathetic manner
- Effective problem solving and decision-making skills; assesses situations, de-escalates and resolves conflict with a positive and enthusiastic approach to challenges
- Demonstrates a high degree of professional competence and maintains composure in high-stress situations
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal, skilled in creating various office correspondences, proposal writing, facilitating presentations and database management
- Strong technical skills with varying data base systems, assessment tools, program planning, project development, web design and reporting tools
Certification
- Afrocentric narrative therapy certificate (2022)
- Gender based analysis certificate (2022)
- Solution focused training (2022)
- Multiculturalism & Intercultural certificate (2021)
- Grief counseling certificate (2021)
- Indigenous cultural awareness certificate (2021)
- Compassion fatigue training (2020)
References available upon request.
Timeline
Addiction and Mental Health Therapist
Alberta Health Services
11.2023 - Current
Clinical Counsellor
Self-employed
04.2021 - Current
Clinical Counsellor
TELUS Health
09.2020 - Current
Children's Advocate
University Of Calgary
05.2019 - 08.2019
Mental Health Counsellor
The Centre for Foundational Development
01.2019 - 08.2020
Shelter Worker
Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
08.2017 - 08.2018
Community Support Worker
International Needs Ghana
05.2017 - 09.2017
Housing Support Worker
Housing Help Centre
05.2015 - 09.2016
Women's Advocate
YWCA
05.2014 - 09.2014
Master of Social work -
University of Calgary
Honor Bachelor of Social work - Human Rights & Indigenous studies
Wilfrid Laurier University
Service Worker Diploma - Social Work
Niagara College
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