Ava Dorrance
Psychiatry

Websites:

• http://www.visualcv.com/avadorrance

Psychiatric Social Worker

University of Iowa: 1985-1987 - MSW in Social Work - GPA 3.5+ - Thesis on Hospice Program, completed previous to graduation - Art and Museum Science - All of education funded through scholarships and employment. - Course work was taken on a part-time basis while working a full time job

Cass County Community Hospital: Psychiatric Social Worker - Psychiatric Social Worker for the Hospital. Conducted evaluations, worked as a therapist with individuals, groups and families, directly involved in court committals. Designed and implemented full day program for behaviorally disordered children. Conducted counseling sessions in the Atlantic schools for children and adolescents. I enjoyed this position and left in good standing. However, I found working at the hospital far too difficult while giving full attention to my parents who suffered from numerous health problems.

Psychology Associates Genesis Health System: Psychiatric Social Worker Therapist - Assisted in the development of the Moline Clinic. The primary clinic exists in Davenport. Conducted support group for eating disorders. Conducted therapy sessions with individuals and families. Promoted clinic through appearances on TV and written articles. Completed all reports in a timely manner. Developed branch mental health practice. Established a full-time private practice. Promoted the practice in the community. Led three support groups during this period. Developed, staffed, and maintained a full-time practice in the community. This was a wonderfully rewarding experience. However, I moved establish residence in Iowa to take charge of my elder parents care.

Robert Young Mental Health Center: Psychiatric Social Worker - Conducted therapy sessions with psychiatric patients. Led groups, evaluated patients, conducted presentations within the community. Completed reports important to the welfare of patients. Served on various committees, both within RYC and within the community. Contacted insurance companies as an advocate for patient recovery. Served as a member of 4 interdisciplinary teams to promote access to community services, establish the very best treatment for psychiatric patients, and remove bias associated with mental health problems. Mental health evaluations, therapy for individuals, families, and groups. Attendance in team meetings. Supervision of several therapists and graduate students. Program planning. Chart completion. Treatment and discharge planning. Staffings. Directed the Partial Hospital Program within the first 3 months of hire. Achieved advanced status in training for Dialectal Behavioral Therapy. Organized and headed 3 educational conferences for community professionals.

State of Iowa Dept of Human Services: Mental Health Consultant - Consultant for the State of Iowa Dept of Human Services. Evaluated case plans to determine if individuals met standards for Medicaid Group Care. Also involved in educational presentations specifically for employees of the dept. Adhered closely to guidelines. Worked as a well as a team member with other licensed professionals. Trained case 12 workers about diagnostic criteria for mental health clients and behaviors associated. Contract for the State of Iowa ended for all consultants in 1998.

Covenant Medical Center/Cedarloo Psychiatric Clinic: Coordinator of the Eating Disorder Program and Therapist - Led and coordinator of hospital eating disorder program I designed and implemented. Provided therapy for individuals, families and groups. Staffing, therapy, programming, advertising, committee work, appearances on TV, presentations to the community, discharge planning. Designed and implemented full inpatient/outpatient hospital program. Operated a successful practice as a clinician in a private psychiatric clinic affiliated with the hospital. Employee of the Month Project Safe Committee Family Resources Advisory Board. Women's Center Advisory Board. My name at that time was Ava Reynolds. Certified in Advanced Ericson Hypnosis at this time. Certified in Rational Emotive Therapy at this time.