Richard Utama
MSW, RSW
Toronto,ON
Summary
A compassionate and dynamic Social Worker and Counsellor with over 12 years of progressive and innovative mental health counseling and teaching in the social services, clinical setting, and community-based environment. Skilled in anti-oppressive practice and diverse therapy approaches, and lived experience as a member of LGBTQ+ community
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Counsellor (Contract)
Breakaway Community Services
Toronto, ON
10.2021 - Current
- Provide short-term individual (1-on-1) counseling to frontline workers utilizing diverse therapy modalities including: Grief and Loss, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic and Existential Therapy.
- Identified client's risk and resiliency factors and developed appropriate strategies for response and intervention.
Professor
Centennial College
Toronto, ON
01.2021 - Current
- Professor and College Field Supervisor in Addiction and Mental Health Program and Social Service Worker Program teaching Withdrawal Management, Research Literacy, Introduction to Professional Practice, and Fundamentals for Success.
- Engage students to develop critical understanding of political, social, economic, and professional contexts that shape social service work and mental health practice.
- Use variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations, including online, visual, oral and social learning modalities.
- Evaluate students achievement of learning outcome using academic assessment tools such as quizzes, tests and examinations, and provide feedback.
- Modify lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners.
- Create and foster respectful and supportive environment for social diversity, inclusion and equity.
- Liaise with Chair of Community Services Department if any issues arise regarding students' performance.
Professional (Sessional)
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto, Ontario
01.2020 - Current
- Teach "Decolonizing and Anti-Oppression Practice" to Internationally Educated Social Workers (IESW) course using effective learning strategies to increase understanding in anti-oppressive, anti-colonial and anti-racist approaches to practice.
- Increase students' awareness and understanding of colonial practices within various social work contexts and decolonizing approaches that can be used.
- Engage students to develop critical understanding of political, social, economic, legal/legislative and professional contexts that shape social work practice, locally and globally.
- Evaluate students achievement of learning outcome using academic assessment tools such as quizzes, tests and examinations, and provide feedback.
- Modify lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners.
- Create and foster respectful and supportive environment for social diversity, inclusion and equity.
- Liaise with Program Manager if any issues arise regarding students' performance.
Counsellor
Family Service Toronto
Toronto, ON
03.2022 - 09.2022
- Provided culturally competent, trauma informed, evidence-based interventions and harm minimisations, including: Motivational Interviewing, Grief and Loss and Psychodynamic to individuals and couples.
- Provided services to clients from diverse ethno-cultural communities, sexual orientations and gender identities, and to clients who are marginalized by a range of systemic issues.
- Provided professional clinical assessments, case notes and reports in a timely manner using electronic client database.
Clinical Case Manager
Casey House Hospital
Toronto, Ontario
03.2018 - 12.2020
- Responded to and process intake referrals to Day Health Program services and clinically present referrals to inter-professional team for review.
- Managed caseload of 15 clients utilizing specific strategies and approaches along continuum of health and wellness.
- Provided one-to-one and group-based counseling and interventions to support clients with emphasis on harm reduction and life skills which reflect unique experiences of people living with HIV, mental health issues and addiction.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, social workers, and allied health team to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Documented all clients interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
- Responded to crisis situations through use of de-escalation, conflict resolution and community engagement skills.
- Collaborated with larger community and partner agencies to develop and lead programs on topics relevant to clients.
Residential Support Worker
Fife House
Toronto, Ontario
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Conducted supportive counselling with clients living with HIV, mental health, social isolation, substance use, addiction, and physical mobility related issues.
- Conducted resident checks during day and overnight hours on regular schedule to check health and safety status.
- Implemented daily living activities that enhance life skills of clients with complex care needs.
- Supported clients with clinical needs, medication management and financial safeguard program by collaborating with community health centers, hospitals, and government agencies.
- Collaborated with community program leaders and advocated to make resources accessible to clients in need.
- Maintained clients' case notes, statistics, and professional appointment schedules.
Men's Sexual Health Coordinator
Asian Community AIDS Services
Toronto, Ontario
02.2009 - 09.2016
- Planned and implemented culturally appropriate HIV/STIs/Hep C prevention, safer substance use, and health promotion training and workshops for gay, bi, trans, and other men who have sex with men.
- Spearheaded and facilitated community annual health forum with over 50 attendees.
- Collaborated with partner agencies to deliver LGBTQ+ workshops.
- Collaborated with research team and community advisory committees on HIV/AIDS, gay/bi/trans men's sexual health, mental health, and substance use related projects.
- Supervised staff, students, and volunteers.
- Maintained program evaluation, statistics, budgets, funders' reports, and grant proposals.
Education
Master of Social Work - Health And Mental Health
University of Toronto
Toronto Sep 2016 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) -
Ryerson University
Toronto Sep 2014 - 06.2016
Bachelor of Business - Travel Management
Edith Cowan University
Perth, Western Australia Jan 1994 - 01.1997
Skills
Mental health and addiction counseling
Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and STBBIs prevention and transmission
Knowledge of sex work related issues
Biopsychosocial Plus assessment
Diverse therapy modalities including: Motivational Interviewing, Grief and Loss, Psychodynamic, and Existential Therapy
Client-centred, trauma-informed, recovery-focused
Conflict resolution
Crisis response and intervention
Case management proficiency
Program development and coordination
Excellent organizational and time management skills
First Aid and CPR, St John's
Certification
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Ontario Association of Social Workers member
09-2022
Counsellor
Family Service Toronto
03.2022 - 09.2022
Counsellor (Contract)
Breakaway Community Services
10.2021 - Current
Ontario College Workers and Social Service Workers member
06-2021
Professor
Centennial College
01.2021 - Current
Professional (Sessional)
Toronto Metropolitan University
01.2020 - Current
Crisis Prevention Intervention, Casey House
08-2019
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
07-2019
Clinical Case Manager
Casey House Hospital
03.2018 - 12.2020
Clinical Cultural Competence, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
08-2017
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills, Living Works
01-2017
Residential Support Worker
Fife House
01.2016 - 01.2018
Men's Sexual Health Coordinator
Asian Community AIDS Services
02.2009 - 09.2016
Master of Social Work - Health And Mental Health
University of Toronto
Sep 2016 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) -
Ryerson University
Sep 2014 - 06.2016
Bachelor of Business - Travel Management
Edith Cowan University
Jan 1994 - 01.1997