Vanessa Houston
Ferntree Gully,VIC
Summary
I am proficient in administering various therapies, including cognitive techniques such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and the identification of Cognitive Distortions and Therapy Interfering Behaviours (TIBs). My computer literacy and determination drive me to achieve success and deliver quality results. I adopt a practical and sensible approach to daily tasks and time management. I am capable of providing services with a non-judgmental stance through a therapeutic perspective and possess strong communication and organisational skills in client and staff planning, case noting, data entry, and service provision within the judicial system. My enthusiastic disposition is steadfast, and I am eager to work collaboratively or independently. I am adept at following instructions, understand the importance of deadlines, and am committed to fulfilling all objectives and service requirements in my role. I can follow and assign tasks to ensure the correct implementation of policies and procedures, fostering constructive and successful outcomes.I am skilled in recognizing and addressing the diverse needs of clients, showing initiative, leadership, and productivity when necessary. I excel in fostering self-advocacy and self-esteem in others and thrive in team settings to enhance operational quality and service delivery. My expertise in client relations, electronic charting, and assessments is complemented by my training and motivation to surpass expectations, consistently delivering results in dynamic environments. As a dependable employee, I offer outstanding communication skills and sound judgment.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Advisor
Court Services Victoria
03.2020 - Current
- Established rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of substance abuse severity, fostering trust and open communication essential for successful outcomes.
Provided crisis intervention services when needed, ensuring the safety and well-being of clients during difficult moments.Back-fill in the A/Operations Manager Role from 2020-2024 whilst developing strong relationships with all current staff and service providers. - Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Conduct Alcohol and other drug assessments guided by Turning Point assessment tools and internal documenting system praise.
- Determine and advise the Magistrates Court of Victoria of the potential participant's treatment needs and suitability for a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order (DATO).
- Provide tailored support to participant/s on Drug and Alcohol Treatment orders whilst also engaging external services required with over-bridging emphasis on any problematic substance use, therapy-interfering behaviour or risks associated with or leading to a change in physical and mental health.
- Completed thorough assessments to understand current participant conditions, referrals, and care needed once on a DATO.
- Advise participants clinically on suitable detox and withdrawal options, completing referrals for residential treatment services with external stakeholders.
- Maintain daily clinical records whilst formatting and collating clinical documentation to deliver to the Magistrate and multidisciplinary team at case conference meetings and court reviews.
- Chair, develop, and document individual client treatment plans based on a DATO, paying attention to current risks and needs and forming proximal and distal goals to support participants in moving through each phase of their order and reintegrating into the community after being released from incarceration.
- Motivate and advise participants in productive ways to reach each goal set over a maximum 2-year period.
- Monitor medications, pharmacotherapy and MATOD delivery, GP referrals and medical reviews.
- If required, engage external stakeholders and services to provide further treatment and support networks.
- Provide a client-centered approach focusing on therapeutic, non-judgmental, motivational interviewing techniques and disciplines.
- Work successfully within a multidisciplinary team, prioritizing solution-focused thinking and emphasizing collectively delivering a service that fosters self-advocacy and positive behaviour change within the participants and their interactions on the order.
- Maintain successful practice with robust patient load and high satisfaction scores due to quality care and individual service delivery.
- Served as a liaison between participants, families, and healthcare teams, advocating for participant needs and preferences at all times.
Roofing Contractor
Roof Gutter Cleaning Melbourne
07.2019 - 02.2020
- Safely used all tools and equipment to prevent worksite injuries.
- Cleaned, installed, repaired, and replaced roofing structures, tiles, guttering to private, business and commercial properties.
- Installed high-quality roof/solar panel cleaning and systems, paying careful attention to hazards and other safety concerns.
- Expanded knowledge of roofing materials, techniques and cost effectiveness.
- Inspected roofs and identified deficiencies for repair cost estimation.
Disability Support Carer
Healthscope
04.2019 - 06.2019
- Assisted with dressing guidance, grooming, meal preparation and medication reminders.
- Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and companionship.
- Engaged patients in meaningful conversation, socialization and activity while providing personal care assistance.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Maintained clean personal areas and prepared healthy meals to support client nutritional needs.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
AOD Counsellor
DayHab Centre For Addiction Treatment
03.2017 - 05.2019
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Working with complex clients with AOD, gambling, sex and shopping addictions including problematic mental health issues, specializing in Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)-TAC contracts.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently including 1:1 Counselling sessions and joint facilitation and delivery of all drug and alcohol programs, through a therapeutic lenses as one of 3 primary therapists.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere including daily clinical panel meetings along with client progress report writing.
- Primary facilitator of weekly relapse prevention group for post rehabilitation clients.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to clients, handled challenging situations with ease.
- Maintained excellent attendance record, consistently arriving to work on time.
- Improved operations through consistent hard work and dedication.
- Actively and compassionately listened to clients, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
- Established rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of substance abuse severity, fostering trust and open communication essential for successful outcomes.
- Provided crisis intervention services when needed, ensuring the safety and well-being of clients during difficult moments.
Mental Health Support Worker
Private Hospital for Addiction Treatment, DayHab Private Hospital for Addiction Treatment
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Responsible for providing one to one counselling, education, group workshops/lectures and support to clients and their families operating within a frame work of abstinence and recovery orientated practice with a client centred approach
- Assessing practical and emotional needs of clients by conducting assessments and interviews with individuals and their families
- Providing practical and emotional support, information and strategies to families of those in care
- Alcohol and Other Drugs, Evening and Overnight/weekend work supporting clients, administering medications from Webster packs and the overseeing and facilitating of planned events and procedures
- Providing emotional and mental support to the client
- Facilitating the recovery process by taking clients to 12 Step NA/AA Meetings
- Recognizing and responding to crisis situations and behaviours of concern
- Promoting and facilitating self-worth and self-advocacy.
- Worked with family members to develop support networks and multifaceted coping techniques focused on client needs.
- Delivered individualized counselling services to clients working through issues such as mental illness and substance abuse.
- Provided complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients in psychological distress.
Private Nanny
Child Care
01.2002 - 01.2013
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and individualized service productivity and delivery to each family.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help families wherever needed.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts often being contracted to families for multiple years or significant periods of time.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to each family, often handling stressful situations or occurrences with ease.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships with many families i was contracted to.
Child Care Worker
TLC Child Care Centre
02.1994 - 11.2001
- Opening and closing centre role and management.
- Practice Lead Educator for Infant to 2 year olds children/room.
- Prepared and served nutritious and healthy meals and snacks.
- Provided continuous supervision to children during indoor and outdoor activities to maintain safe learning and playing environments.
- Set and enforced rules to maintain children's safety and created welcoming, caring environments for all children.
- Used positive reinforcement techniques to promote patience and other good behaviours in children.
- Consulted with families to discuss activities and behaviours of each child.
- Helped children develop motor skills in preparation for preschool and kindergarten.
- Worked with children individually and in groups to teach social, communicative and problem-solving skills.
- Taught children educational games to reinforce learning of alphabets and numbers.
- Supported children's emotional and social development by encouraging positive self-concepts and understanding of others.
- Developed healthy relationships mainly the infants/toddlers age group provide support and guidance in learning.
- Developed lessons and activities to promote children's physical and emotional development.
- Observed children to proactively identify issues with emotional or physical development and worked with parents and supervisors to address concerns.
- Maintained group discipline through positive reinforcement, behaviour modelling and collaboration with parents.
Model/Promotional Model
Various Agencies
01.1988 - 12.1993
- Promoted products and services by posing for commercials, live shows and photo shoots.
- Modeled garments such as dresses, coats, underclothing and swimwear.
- Maintained readiness for all jobs by keeping up with proper self-care and effective stress management strategies.
- Maintained high levels of professionalism in accordance with agency and job description
- Performed casting calls, fittings, shows and photo shoots and promotional locations.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
Education
RIIWHS302D Implement Traffic Management Plan - Traffic Management
Construction
Scoresby07.2019
Certificate IV Alcohol And Other Drugs -
TAFE, Up Skilled Training Australia
Melbourne, VIC10.2016
Certificate IV Mental Health - Mental Health Services
TAFE, Up Skilled Training Australia
Melbourne, VIC10.2016
Ass Dip - Social Science
Holmesglen Institute
Glen Waverley, VIC04.1998
VCE Year 12 -
Kilmaire College
Kew, VIC11.1992
Skills
- Excellent communication skills that make me approachable to people with AOD, Mental health challenges in early recovery, relapse prevention and beyond
- Sound understanding of the judicial system and how to clinically approach a situation relating to the planning and implementation of treatment pathways, referrals, medication and pharmacotherapy/MATOD knowledge and service implementation within all internal and external agencies
- Excellent organisational and time management skills This is demonstrated in my current role and the allocated backfill position to Operation Manager at Dandenong Drug Court-Court Services Victoria
- Co-developed new onsite AOD programs with external providers to be delivered onsite and tailored to Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order participants
- Contributed to operational models, including developing new policies and procedures relating to Dandenong Drug Court and services delivery
- Current HS Representative at Dandenong Drug Court- since 2021
- Clinical Documentation and Treatment Options Management
- Facilitating appropriate treatment pathways and referrals
- Trained in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Therapy and Counselling- specialising in TAC clients with Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI's)
- Collection, submission and dissemination of client data within judicial practices and policies
- Co-program facilitator and AOD Counsellor at the residential rehabilitation level
Accomplishments
- Current HS Representative-Dandenong Drug Court. Completed training-2020
- KOORI Cultural Awareness Training-2020
- MARAM-Comprehensive Risk Assessment Management training-completed 2021
- FVISS- Family Violence Intervention Sharing Scheme-2022
- Supervised staff members when acting in the role on many occasions as (OM) Operation's Manager at Dandenong Drug Court- 2021-2022. Also whilst in this role, assisted CSV-MCV staff with various planning and management of the onsite visit of current Attorney General to Dandenong Drug Court's Therapeutic Recovery Centre.- 2021.
- Co-producer and supervisor with external agency- Taskforce in the design, development and integration of a new in-house AOD support day program named STEPS at Dandenong Drug Court. This on-site program is the first of its kind to be offered to any DATO participant through Court Services Victoria.
- Collaborated with other CSV roles in the update and implementation of our DATO participant manuals and participant survey's.
Additional Information
Referees:
Jo Finlay
Senior Lawyer, Therapeutic Courts, NJC
Victoria Legal Aid,
t: 0468 359 777
Cherise Donovan
A/General Manager – Community Services
North and West Metropolitan Area
Department of Justice and Community Safety
t: 0425872411
Sharon Hill
AOD Team Leader
Outer East
t: 0418433469
Timeline
Clinical Advisor
Court Services Victoria
03.2020 - Current
Roofing Contractor
Roof Gutter Cleaning Melbourne
07.2019 - 02.2020
Disability Support Carer
Healthscope
04.2019 - 06.2019
AOD Counsellor
DayHab Centre For Addiction Treatment
03.2017 - 05.2019
Mental Health Support Worker
Private Hospital for Addiction Treatment, DayHab Private Hospital for Addiction Treatment
01.2016 - 01.2018
Private Nanny
Child Care
01.2002 - 01.2013
Child Care Worker
TLC Child Care Centre
02.1994 - 11.2001
Model/Promotional Model
Various Agencies
01.1988 - 12.1993
RIIWHS302D Implement Traffic Management Plan - Traffic Management
Construction
Certificate IV Alcohol And Other Drugs -
TAFE, Up Skilled Training Australia
Certificate IV Mental Health - Mental Health Services
TAFE, Up Skilled Training Australia
Ass Dip - Social Science
Holmesglen Institute
VCE Year 12 -
Kilmaire College
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