Michele Gill McKenna

Michele Gill McKenna
Resume / CV
Play Therapist in Philadelphia. To schedule an appointment please call 267-324-9564

233 S. 6th Street, Suite C-33
Philadelphia PA 19106

Michele Gill McKenna ‘s Educational Degrees

• University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work Philadelphia, PA
  Graduated with a Masters in Social Work in May of 2004.  GPA:  3.98
• Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research  Bryn Mawr, PA
  Certificate in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
• Dickinson College Carlisle, PA
  Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Religion in June of 1999.  Two-time recipient of the John Wesley Clark Scholarship, Dickinson College’s scholarship for scholastic achievement and campus involvement.  Received first honors while studying abroad at the University East Anglia in Norwich, England during the 1997-1998 Academic Year.  Served as Residential Advisor for the 1996-1997 Academic Year.

Michele Gill McKenna’s Professional Associations and Licensures          

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania CW015713
• Active Member of National Association of Social Workers, Philadelphia Chapter since 2004

Michele Gill McKenna ‘s Work Experience   

• Center for Growth   May 2008 — Present
  Child, Adolescent and Family Therapist                           Philadelphia, PA
  Provide individual, family and group therapy to children and adolescents for the treatment of various mental health and behavioral difficulties. Specializing in traditional play therapy techniques and behavioral oriented treatment modalities.
• CASTLE Program-Center for Family Guidance                                            December 2004 — April 2008           Clinical Child and Family Therapist                                                                                Camden, NJ
  Provided individual, group and family psychotherapy for children with severe mood and behavioral disorders in partial hospitalization setting.  Gained clinical experience in multiple aspects of play-therapy and sand-tray therapy. Conducted comprehensive assessments to evaluate patients’ social, educational, and psychiatric history upon admission.  Responsible for case coordination among patients’ partial care staff, school personnel, DYFS social workers, and primary care doctors. Additional responsibilities include: weekly case presentations to the treatment team, design and completion of treatment plans and discharge summaries, and after care planning prior to patient discharge.  Facilitator of clinical training “Verbal De-escalation Techniques.”  Principle member of Therapeutic Hold Committee designed to review efficacy of physical interventions and educate staff on alternative de-escalation techniques.
•  Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia                                                                  September 2003 — May 2004           Oncology Medical Social Work Intern                                                                                           Philadelphia, PA
• Further developed skills in psychosocial assessment and medical social work services with full caseload of inpatient and outpatient pediatric oncology patients.  Gained additional skills in parent support group facilitation.  Organized and participated in interdisciplinary family meetings.  Active member of oncology psychosocial rounds.  Pursued further skill development by frequent attendance at Continuing Education Unit (CEU) workshops. Co-led Delaware Valley American Cancer Society Parent’s Conference Survivorship forum.  Developed and maintained comprehensive oncology social work patient database.  Provided consistent family-centered supportive counseling, resource coordination and advocacy for oncology patients and their families.
• CASTLE Program-Center for Family Guidance                                                 June 2003-September 2003           Therapeutic Day Counselor                                                                                                      Camden, NJ
  Designed, organized and facilitated daily creative and therapeutic educational, psychosocial activities for adolescents with severe behavior disorders in partial hospitalization program.  Gained experience in group facilitation and furthered skills in conflict mediation.  Collaborated with interdisciplinary professional staff and actively participated in team meetings and consultations.
• St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children                                                            September 2002 — May 2003           Hematology Medical Social Work Intern                                                                           Philadelphia, PA
  Empowered individuals and families coping with hematological disorders and the associated psychosocial issues so that they may realize their fullest possible physical, emotional and social functioning.  Made selective and extended use of social work knowledge, practice and skills which were relevant to helping patients and families through the transitions caused by chronic illness.  Gained understanding of assessment process and coordination of services in a fast-paced pediatric hospital setting.  Advocated for services on behalf of patients and families.  Developed a special interest in transitional programming for young adults with chronic illnesses.  Instrumental in planning week long residential summer camp programming for Sickle Cell Disease patients.

• Cathedral High School                                                                                                        August 2000 — June 2002           Religion Teacher and Service Coordinator                                                                               Boston, MA
  Designed and implemented a challenging adolescent centered curriculum, integrating all disciplines and learning modalities for urban youth.  Broke away from conventional learning structures and created an experiential justice through service based theology curriculum.  Instrumental in organizing and implementing peer conflict mediation counselors and peer review board for Cathedral High School.  Moderated Yearbook production and fundraising as well as school wide service and retreat programs.
• New England Home for Little Wanderers                                                              August 1999 — May 2000
  Team Leader                                                                                                                               Boston, MA
  Managed a team of six mental health direct care counselors as well as a residential treatment program with 11 mentally ill children ages 6-13.  Facilitated team building and supervision of counselors.  Excelled in conflict mediation and quarterly presentations on patient progress.  Directed the structure and safety of daily schedules.  Had authority over all physical and mechanical behavioral crisis interventions.  Worked closely with Department of Mental Health and Social Services.  Gained experience in managing diverse populations.
• The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp                                                                                Summer 1999 — 2001
  Unit Leader and Behavior Specialist                                                                                         Ashford, CT
  Directed leadership development, management and unit programming for a group of 20 staff members at a residential summer camp serving the needs of multicultural children ages 6-16 with life-threatening hematology/oncology disorders.  Specialized in addressing and diffusing crisis situations involving children with behavior issues.  Worked extensively with counselors and the campers themselves to develop and implement personalized behavior plans for campers who required such services.  Active member of senior staff team focusing on camp-wide diversity issues, conflict mediation and crisis intervention.  Influential in the development and implementation of camp behavior management policies.

 Michele Gill McKenna ‘s additional training

Received formal training in the following fields:

• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention,
• Conflict Mediation in Supervision,
• Behavior Management and Modification,
• Diversity Sensitivity Facilitation,
• Sand Tray Therapy