Sara Bardy
Volo
Summary
Dynamic therapeutic professional with extensive experience in addressing mental health challenges and fostering client growth. Renowned for a collaborative approach and unwavering dedication to achieving meaningful outcomes while consistently demonstrating reliability as a team player. Strong conflict resolution skills and adaptability ensure a client-centric focus in all interactions. Proven leadership capabilities in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and aligning efforts with strategic objectives enhance organizational effectiveness and drive success.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Therapist
Lodestone Center for Behavioral Health
Woodstock, IL
01.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented treatment plans tailored to client goals and progress.
- Conducted individualized therapy sessions, addressing diverse mental health needs of clients.
- Utilized evidence-based therapeutic techniques to promote positive behavioral changes.
- Assessed client progress through regular evaluations, adjusting treatment approaches as necessary.
- Built strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and open communication for effective therapy sessions.
- Maintained detailed case notes and documentation, ensuring effective tracking of progress and continuity of care across providers.
- Established clear boundaries with clients, maintaining ethical practice standards while preserving the therapeutic relationship.
- Developed strategies to help patients cope with stress and anxiety and build resilience.
- Provided crisis intervention services, stabilizing clients in distress and connecting them with necessary resources.
- Continuously updated professional knowledge through ongoing research, training, and participation in industry conferences and workshops.
Team Leader, Community Support Team II
Thresholds
Crystal Lake, IL
01.2019 - 01.2024
- Modeled evidence-based practices and recovery to ensure team adherence and understanding to fidelity scales.
- Served as Senior Clinician meeting individual needs of adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
- Led team in implementing best practices for client engagement and service delivery.
- Developed training programs to enhance staff skills and improve service quality.
- Streamlined operational workflows, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced turnaround times for accuracy and high quality documentation practices.
- Mentored junior team members, fostering professional growth and enhancing team performance.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
- Analyzed performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and develop actionable plans.
- Facilitated regular team meetings to promote communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement efforts.
- Set performance expectations for the team, monitoring progress towards goals and providing constructive feedback as needed.
- Empowered team members by delegating responsibilities according to individual strengths and areas of expertise.
- Managed conflict resolution among team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Maintained an inclusive and diverse team culture, promoting respect and understanding among all members.
- Evaluated team member performance against established objectives during regular reviews, offering praise for achievements or identifying areas requiring further development.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies during service delivery processes.
- Fostered positive work environment, resulting in decreased employee turnover and increased team cohesion.
- Interviewed, hired, and trained new employees in accordance to agency policy and quality standards.
Community Support Specialist
Thresholds
Crystal Lake, IL
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Collaboratively provided supportive interventions to 60+ adults with severe and persistent mental illness through case management, therapy, crisis intervention, and psychosocial rehab services.
- Completed annual comprehensive mental health assessments and developed individual treatment plans for LPHA review.
- Completed documentation in a timely manner.
- Enhanced client well-being by providing personalized support and resources tailored to individual needs.
- Coordinated with external agencies to establish partnerships for expanded service offerings and collaborative initiatives.
- Educated clients about available resources within the community, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care plans.
- Exceeded productivity targets every quarter.
- Worked cooperatively with inpatient hospital staff and other mental health professionals to ensure continuity of care.
- Taught independent and community living skills as well as the development of functional, interpersonal, support system and coping skills.
- Wellness Management & Recovery Practitioner
- Smoking Cessation Specialist assisting members in reducing/quitting smoking.
Child Outpatient Therapist
Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Provided individual & family therapy to children and adolescents age 3-18.
- Maintained an individual caseload of 120+ Medicaid funded clients.
- Completed mental health assessments and developed individualized treatment plans.
- Participated in on-call for Crisis Services within County borders.
- Collaborated with other mental health professionals, hospital staff, and psychiatric providers for continuity of care.
- Prevented crisis situations by proactively monitoring client behaviors and implementing early intervention strategies when necessary.
- Provided psycho-education to parents/caregivers.
Advisor, TRiO Upward Bound
John Wood Community College
Quincy, IL
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Recruited and retained 50-100 participants across Adams, Morgan, and Pike Counties, IL.
- Executed weekly meetings for program participants to develop academic, social, and emotional skills to be successful in high school and post-secondary education.
- Taught Summer Programming courses.
- Provided mentoring, coaching, counseling, and career planning to program participants.
- Coordinated workshops and events, fostering community involvement and support for student success initiatives.
- Advised students on course selection and career planning, ensuring alignment with personal goals and educational objectives.
- Implemented new advising strategies to improve retention rates and student satisfaction across multiple programs.
- Analyzed student feedback data to refine advising processes, leading to improved service quality and responsiveness.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices.
Education
Organizational Leadership - Master of Business Certificate
Quincy University
Quincy, IL2027
Master of Education - Counseling School Counseling
Quincy University
Quincy, IL01.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Quincy University
Quincy, IL01.2007
Skills
- Leadership
- Active Listening & Empathy
- Advocacy
- Crisis De-Escalation
- Problem-solving
- Use of Evidence-Based Practices
- Understanding of Outcome Measures
- Relationship Building
- Goal Setting
- Assessments & Treatment Planning
- Strength-Based Approach
- Resource Navigation
Certification
- National Certified Counselor NBCC
- Professional Educator License ISBE
- Certified Recovery Support Specialist, Expired
- Empower Yourself Coaching Leadership Series
- In Progress: Women’s Mental Health Specialist Certificate, Personality Disorder Certification Training, & ADHD Clinical Services Provider Certificate
- LCPC - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Timeline
Therapist
Lodestone Center for Behavioral Health
01.2024 - Current
Team Leader, Community Support Team II
Thresholds
01.2019 - 01.2024
Community Support Specialist
Thresholds
01.2016 - 01.2019
Child Outpatient Therapist
Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois
01.2012 - 01.2014
Advisor, TRiO Upward Bound
John Wood Community College
01.2010 - 01.2012
Organizational Leadership - Master of Business Certificate
Quincy University
Master of Education - Counseling School Counseling
Quincy University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Quincy University