In addition to being an instructional designer and marketing, I returned to school to receive my Master of Health Science in Addictions and another Masters in Clinical Mental Health, I have my CADC and will be taking my LPC and LCPC exams soon. 

• Rincon, Kankakee IL

• November 2025-present

• Mental Health/Addictions Counselor

  • • ·        Develop, coordinate, and create treatment plans using CIS.

    • ·        Utilize counseling techniques with clients based on assessments, intakes and individual needs.

    • ·        Complete discharges.

    • ·        Conduct individual, family, couples and group counseling, both virtual and in-person.

    • ·        Provide case management.

    • ·        Keep up with required meetings and  trainings.

    • ·        Complete progress notes.

    • ·        Coordinate programs with others such as probation officers and hospital personnel.

    • ·        Maintain or exceed billing quotas.

    • ·        Research information for group activities.

    • ·        Attend supervision and other staff meetings as required.

•                                         

• Rosecrance, Kankakee IL 

• October 2023-December 2024 

• Addictions Counselor

  • • ·        Conduct assessments and intakes using Avatar.

    • ·        Develop, coordinate, and create treatment plans using assessments and intakes.

    • ·        Utilize techniques with clients based on assessments, intakes and individual needs.

    • ·        Complete discharges.

    • ·        Conduct individual and group counseling, both virtual and in-person.

    • ·        Provide case management.

    • ·        Keep up with required meetings and  trainings.

    • ·        Complete progress notes.

    • ·        Coordinate programs with others such as probation officers.

    • ·        Maintain or exceed billing quotas.

    • ·        Research information for group activities.

    • ·        Complete trainings for program.

    • ·        Attend supervision and other staff meetings as required.

•                                                                                      

• Cornerstone Services, Kankakee IL

• June 2022-September 2023

• Assessment Specialist-Community Transitions

  • • ·        Conduct assessments using IM+CANS.

    • ·        Maintain billing quotas every week per state requirement.

    • ·        Complete assessments via UIC web app

    • ·        Develop, coordinate, and create treatment plans using assessments.

    • ·        Communicate the results of the assessments with team members.

    • ·        Attend meetings with other staff members.

    • ·        Coordinate assessment schedules with external staff.

    • ·        Give recommendations to all involved with the care of clients.

    • ·        Maintain IM+CANS and CADC Certification.

    • ·        Conduct Group and Individual Counseling.

    • ·        Work on relapse prevention and substance abuse issues with clients in need.

    • ·        Maintain Crisis Intervention.

    • ·        Provide Case Management.

• Chrysalis Consulting (Aunt Martha’s)- Remote

• September 2021-July 2022

• Crisis CARES Worker

  • • • ·  Answer crisis calls for the CARES line.

    • ·        Complete assessment to determine the level of care and outcome.

    • ·        Document all calls.

    • ·        Respond to crisis calls by dispatching the correct agency.

    • ·        Empathize with the situation by counseling as needed.

    • ·        Give referral sources to callers.

    • ·        Provide Crisis Intervention.

EDUCATION

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Bellevue University. 2023-2026

Master of Health Science in Addictions Counseling, December 2018. Governors State University.4.0 GPA.

Master of Arts in Communications and Training,

May 2004.Governors State University. 3.7 GPA.

Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Minor in Marketing. 

Columbia College Chicago. Dean’s List Honors. 

LICENSES & CERTIFICATES

Applied to take LPC/LCPC exams

Certified Alcohol and Another Drug Counselor (CADC)/Certified Co-Occurring Disorder Professional (CODP

·        2019-reissued September 2025, Illinois Certification Board, Inc

Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning,

·        Issued December 2019.

IM+CANS  

·        Issued May 2026  

Technology Skills

•                   Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Word, Publisher, and Outlook.

•                   Avid and Final Cut Pro.

•                   Adobe Suite: Dreamweaver; Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Captivate, and Flash.

•                   Windows and Macintosh platforms.

•                   YouTube, including uploading and converting slides to video for YouTube.

•                   Google Suite: Google Sites, Google Sheets, Docs, Slides, Gmail.

•                   Created website for Online Teaching and Learning: https://sites.google.com/site/onlinereligiouseducation/home

•                   Created Portfolio for Online Teaching and Learning: https://sites.google.com/view/dawnportfolio/home

•                   Canva

Community/Volunteer Experience

• • • ·        Trustee, Peotone Public Library, Peotone 2015-2025    

    • ·        American Legion Auxiliary Secretary

    • ·        Volunteer for various political campaigns.

    • ·        Member of Kappa Delta PI, Alpha Iota Alpha Chapter.

    • ·        Member of The National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC).

    • ·        Member of American Counseling Association (ACA)

    •       Member of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling 

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

The Behavioral Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Grant through SAMHSA, 2018.  To receive this grant I was required to: 

• Learn about trauma across the lifespan and integrated primary care.

• Attend 3 workshops at GSU related to trauma.

• Attend a professional conference. I  attended the Southern Association  For Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) Conference in Myrtle Beach, October 2018 where I learned topics such as online teaching, empathy, play therapy, mindfulness and dual diagnosis/co-occurring. 

• Complete  online trauma training.

The Gregory Hand Scholarship: Received 2017 through Governors State University Alumni Association. 

Melissa Dean Scholarship: Received in 2016 and 2018 through Governors State University Alumni Association. 

SEVERAL OF MY CERTIFICATES ARE BELOW