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
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