SAMANTHA CHILUZI
Edmonton,Canada
Summary
Dynamic practitioner, skilled in psycho-social counseling, and crisis management. Proven ability to advocate for families, utilizing trauma-informed care to enhance emotional safety and resilience. Adept at conducting assessments and developing individualized plans, ensuring comprehensive support for individuals facing complex challenges.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Child Intervention Practitioner
Government of Alberta , Ministry of Children and Family Services
Edmonton, Canada
05.2023 - Current
- Provided case management services to families , including conducting initial assessments and developing individualized case plans to ensure the safety of children.
- Utilized an anti-oppressive stance when working with families to ensure that barriers facing families were broken down.
- Practiced from a Signs of Safety framework to ensure that families' strengths were at the core and families were allowed to have a voice in their life.
- Conducted home visits to assess client needs, evaluate progress toward goals, and document service delivery.
- Coordinated referrals for mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and other community resources.
- Collaborated with local agencies such as Multicultural Health Brokers and other CSD partners to ensure access to necessary services for children and families.
- Prepared Legal documentation including TGO, PGO , Supervision Orders, Secure Treatments and Court reports.
- Collaborated with other departments within the agency to ensure that all services are provided in a timely manner.
- Developed individualized service plans such as visit trajectories based on client's strengths and identified needs.
- Responded promptly to phone calls from clients or referral sources seeking assistance or information about available resources.
- Liased with caregivers to provide day to day education on child development , impact of trauma and cultural importance.
- Aended professional training related to best practices in case management techniques such as Delegation training.
- Uphold the principle of family preservation by participation in planning for family and cultural connection in consultation with Band designates.
- Conducted intake interviews and bio-psycho-social assessments to determine clients' eligibility and suitability for the program.
- Used active listening skills and supportive diction to cultivate client rapport and open communication.
- Practiced from a trauma-informed approach and ensured that a family's dignity was maintained throughout the time they were receiving services.
- Gained competency in interpreting the Child , Youth and Family Enhancement Act to establish grounds for intervention.
Child Care Counselor (Full-Time Then Casual)
CASA Mental Health
Edmonton, Canada
06.2022 - Current
- Provided psychosocial counseling and emotional support to clients, drawing on DBT-informed approaches (e.g., distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness) to help individuals build coping skills, process trauma, and work toward personal recovery goals.
- Applied a trauma-informed care approach when working with children, youth, and families experiencing complex mental health challenges, prioritizing emotional safety, trust, and empowerment to foster meaningful therapeutic relationships.
- Facilitated and supported life skills programming that promoted emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience, helping youth navigate transitions within treatment or community-based mental health services.
- Assisted in the facilitation of therapeutic groups for patients (youth), including setup, observation, and detailed clinical note-taking to support assessment, continuity of care, and treatment planning.
- Effectively de-escalated crisis situations using principles from Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), ensuring safety while maintaining a supportive, empathetic presence.
- Acted as a Classroom Behavior Specialist within a children’s mental health day program, collaborating with educators to manage behavioral challenges using evidence-based mental health strategies.
- Maintained collaborative and professional relationships with multidisciplinary teams, including therapists, psychiatrists, and educators, ensuring effective communication and documentation using Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
- Delivered hands-on support and psychoeducation to youth and their families, modeling therapeutic strategies outlined in the treatment plan, and providing consistent coaching to enhance family engagement and outcomes.
- Contributed to team-based quality improvement through active participation in case conferences, problem-solving discussions, and service planning to ensure responsive, effective care.
Field Placement (Master of Social Work Student)
Royal Alexandra Hospital (NICU)
Edmonton, AB
01.2025 - 04.2025
- Conducted psychosocial assessments of NICU families to identify emotional, social, cultural, and financial needs impacting infant and family well-being.
- Provided emotional support and crisis intervention to parents and caregivers experiencing acute stress, trauma, grief, critical illness, or medical complications.
- Applied trauma-informed and culturally sensitive care principles to support families navigating uncertainty and complex medical decisions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, including neonatologists, nurses, lactation consultants, and spiritual care, to ensure integrated and holistic family care.
- Assisted with discharge planning, connecting families with community resources, home supports, and outpatient follow-up care to promote continuity and safety post-discharge.
- Participated in family care conferences and multidisciplinary rounds, advocating for psychosocial needs, and contributing to care planning.
- Documented clinical observations, interventions, and family interactions in Connect Care in accordance with Alberta Health Services policies.
- Engaged in reflective supervision and clinical learning to develop competencies in perinatal mental health, medical social work, and ethical decision-making.
- Consulted with interdisciplinary teams, including psychiatry, to discuss patient and family needs; advocated for timely mental health evaluations, treatment planning, and support services to ensure comprehensive care for both infants and their families.
Child and Youth Care Worker
Catholic Social Services
Edmonton, Canada
06.2020 - 06.2022
- Demonstrated exceptional judgment and critical thinking in resolving conflicts and resident behavioral issues.
- Collaborated with counselors to communicate relevant information.
- Utilized cultural -awareness training to work inclusively and progressively with both clients and team members from inter-cultural perspective.
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Worked with community resources to engage youth in pro-social activities and help individuals access services.
- Advocated for youth during difficult situations by handling various tasks, including filing police reports and following up on treatment when necessary.
- Utilized the necessary non-violent crisis intervention skills to de-escalate incidences.
- Helped clients deal with substance abuse, complex mental health and other concerns by delivering personalized counseling support.
- Selected and compiled relevant information and resources for clients to support individuals in overcoming mental and emotional problems.
- Assisted clients with identifying feelings and behaviors by asking open-ended questions.
- Demonstrated sensitivity and competence in treating patients from diverse backgrounds.
- Collaborated closely with treatment team to appropriately coordinate client care services.
- Assisted clients in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to change and removing bad habits.
- Administered psychotropic drugs and other medications, adhering to medication schedules and making adjustments commensurate with patients' condition and response.
- Performed duties following safety requirements and emergency protocols.
- Aided with crisis intervention by redirecting negative behaviors and offering peer counseling.
- Completed clear and concise documentation of youth behavior and actions.
Child and Youth Officer
Shamwari Yemwana Sikana
Harare, Zimbabwe
07.2016 - 11.2019
- Managed to put in place programs to help eliminate child and youth challenges such as trauma, period poverty.
- Educated caregivers, administrators and general public regarding needs of children and adolescents under stress.
- Performed community outreach, representing organization in professional manner.
- Located the appropriate support services for children and youth dealing with specific issues such as abuse.
- Educated children and youth on various resources, services and programs to maximize care.
- Assisted social workers with building Supervised and participated in training of volunteers and new team members to ensure that the common goal was reached competently.
- Maintained thorough and accurate records outlining program operations and participant progress.
- Partnered with interdisciplinary teams such as family counselors to implement care plans.
Education
Master of Social Work - Clinical Social Work Practice
University of Calgary
01.2027
Bachelor of Science Honors Degree - Sociology
University of Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe01.2016
Skills
- Psycho-social counselling
- Active listening
- Client advocacy
- Critical thinking
- Excellent trauma-informed care practices
- Evaluation and assessment
- Relationship building
- Conducting research
- Data analysis
- Global interviewing
- Mediation
- Intervention, crisis management
- Documentation (CICIO, Connect Care, and EMR)
Certification
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certificate
- Anti-Oppressive Practice Certificate
- Sexual and Gender Diversity Certificate
- Opioids and Substance Use Awareness Certificate
- Foundations of Caregiver Supports Certificate
- Personal Health and Safety Certificate
- Child Intervention Practice in Alberta Certificate
- Domestic Violence Certificate
- Protection Against Family Violence Certificate
- Suicide Intervention Skills Training Certificate
- Assessment and Safety Planning Certificate
- Mental Health First Aid
- Standard First aid and CPR Level C
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
- Intercultural Awareness Training
- Indigenous Awareness training
- Victims Advocate Training (AVS-100 Justice and Solicitor General)
Timeline
Field Placement (Master of Social Work Student)
Royal Alexandra Hospital (NICU)
01.2025 - 04.2025
Child Intervention Practitioner
Government of Alberta , Ministry of Children and Family Services
05.2023 - Current
Child Care Counselor (Full-Time Then Casual)
CASA Mental Health
06.2022 - Current
Child and Youth Care Worker
Catholic Social Services
06.2020 - 06.2022
Child and Youth Officer
Shamwari Yemwana Sikana
07.2016 - 11.2019
Master of Social Work - Clinical Social Work Practice
University of Calgary
Bachelor of Science Honors Degree - Sociology
University of Zimbabwe
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