Courtenay Collins, LCSW
Trauma Healing Therapist

Summary

Empathic and strengths-focused licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience providing therapeutic services to individuals affected by trauma, mental health disorders, and substance use issues. Expertise in crisis intervention, biopsychosocial assessments, comprehensive assessments, substance use assessments, evidence-based treatment modalities, and developing individualized client-centered treatment plans. Skilled in cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, anger management, substance abuse counseling, and family/group therapy. Proven ability to build trusting therapeutic relationships and empower clients towards positive change. Committed to trauma-informed, culturally sensitive practices that takes the whole person, their environment and lifestyle into consideration for fully integrated treatment protocols.

Education

  • 2005 Masters of Social Work

    University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 

  • 1999 Bachelors of Arts in Psychology ; Minor in Special Education

    Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL

    • 2023 Florida - Active

    • License No. SW22383

    • 2014 Israel - Active

    • License/Registry No. 30501

    • 2008 District of Columbia - Inactive

    • License No. LG50078886

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

  • Individual, Couples & Group Therapy

  • PTSD & Trauma Therapy

  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Trauma Informed & Cultural Competency

  • Grief Counseling

  • Anger Management

  • Boundary Setting

  • Substance Use Screening & Assessment

  • Suicide Screening, Assessment & Safety Planning

  • Relapse Prevention & Harm Reduction Counseling

  • Executive Functioning Coaching

  • Crisis Intervention & Management

  • Adjustment Counseling with Military & Veterans

  • Self-Esteem & Self Confidence

  • Sleep Hygiene & Stress Management

  • Healthy Lifestyle Choices (Diet, Movement, Community Engagement)

  • Growth & Development Knowledge for Interventions

  • Mindfulness, Gratitude and Positive Psychology Interventions

  • Movement & Exercise Counseling (with & without accommodations)

Therapy Experience

ALL Dates & Locations Withheld for Privacy

LCSW, Forensic Multidisciplinary Team Manager

  • Provide clinical supervision & support to interdisciplinary team for severe and persistent mental illness adult population

  • Provide clinical support and management to care coordinators, therapists, ARNP and RN for Assertive Community Treatment team and Forensics Multidisciplinary Team

  • Complete biopsychosocial assessments, PHQ-9, FARS, Outcomes, SNAP (Strengths, Needs, Abilities, Preferences), HCR20, GAINS, CSSRS (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale)

LCSW Therapist - Virtual Therapist

  • Provide virtual individual or couples therapy for depression, anxiety, lifestyle changes, sexual trauma, anger management, relationship issues, goal setting, grief, substance use harm reduction, and self-esteem

  • Maintain a client satisfaction rating of 4.9 out of 5.0 

  • Utilize trauma assessments the SPRINT (Short PTSD Rating Instrument) and PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5)

  • Utilize mindfulness & breathing exercises and well as positive psychology & gratitude techniques

MSW Author - Self Help Guided Journals & Coloring Books

  • Write and publish therapeutic guided journals on specific self-help and self-discovery topics

  • Published titles with short description:

Figuring Out Faith - set healthy spiritual boundaries

Love Yourself - build confidence and self-compassion

Body Love Mandala Coloring Workbook - transformative guide to improve self talk specific to body image

Grumpy to Grateful - transformative gratitude practice journal for couples

Positive Self-Talk Mandala Coloring Workbook - workbook teaching how to change negative self-talk into positive self-talk

Boundaries for Beginners - a how-to workbook for setting healthy boundaries (2026 release)

Courage and Calm - a how-to workbook for managing anxiety (2026release)

Grouchy to Grateful - transformative gratitude practice journal for parents (2026 release)

Collaborative Virtual Coach - Women Building Businesses

  • Coached and counseled women through resistance to motivation, self-doubt to self confidence and healthy boundary setting

  • Assisted in creating women-owned business around the world through coaching, developing virtual systems and online set-up and management

Independent Registered Social Worker - Private Practice (Israel) 

  • Provided individual and couples therapy regarding relationship issues, communication, fair fighting, adjustment issues, grief, sexuality and confidence and self-esteem. 

Counselor - Weight Loss Counselor

  • Provided weekly weight loss counseling and support for program participants in The Villages, FL

  • Discussed healthy food choices, movement options, sleep hygiene, substance use, harm reduction for the purpose of calorie control, and craving management

MSW Therapist  - Therapeutic Behavioral On-Site Services

  • Provided therapeutic support for behavior management, anger management, fair fighting, executive functioning, ADD/ADHD management and improving communication for children and families at school and in-home.

  • Completed in-home comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments

Licensed Graduate Social Worker - Child Welfare

  • Provided therapeutic support to victims of physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect

  • Crisis management and intervention to resolve critical problems. 

  • Experienced member of an interdisciplinary team to provide written and oral case presentations regarding the psychosocial implications of care and client progress

  • Utilized effective therapeutic relationships to complete comprehensive treatment plans with client

  • Completed biopsychosocial assessments and outcome measures to monitor therapeutic progress

Therapist - Residential Teen Group Home

  • Provided individual & group psychotherapy regarding trauma, sexual trauma and abuse, substance use treatment, anger management, executive functioning, depression, emotional regulation, relationship building, self esteem, and communication 

Oct 06 - Jan 07 Gap due to fatal illness in my immediate family

Counselor III - Adoption Home Studies

  • Completed comprehensive home studies, background screenings, personal reference interviews, comprehensive interviewing on prospective adoptive and foster care parents. Composed comprehensive narrative report of all findings including clinical assessment and comprehensive biopsychosocial. 

MSW Intern - US Air Force Base

  • Facilitator of weekly open-enrollment Anger Management group varying from 3 -12 active duty Air Force/Army members utilizing cognitive behavioral techniques. 

  • Co-facilitated twice weekly Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program (ADAPT) education and aftercare group of 10-15 members utilizing both solution-focused and cognitive behavioral techniques. 

  • Caseload of clients of varying ethnicity, age, rank and socioeconomic status. 

MSW Intern - Area Health Education Centers

  • Taught bike safety, fitness and health in a pilot program.

  • Collaborative team of Public Health and Medical students to create, develop, plan and implement a summer fitness program and curriculum in cooperation with Citrus County Health Department and in accordance with Healthy People 2010 Federal Initiative objectives.

Educator Experience

ALL Dates & Locations Withheld for Privacy

Principal & Teacher - Alternative School

  • Led and managed daily school operations as Principal and Administrator of an alternative inclusion program serving a blended population (approximately 50% special needs and 50% general education students), ensuring equitable access to academic and emotional support for all learners.

  • Supervised and supported a multidisciplinary team of teachers, aides, and support staff — overseeing hiring, scheduling, evaluations, and professional development to maintain a collaborative, trauma-informed, and inclusive school culture.

  • Directed curriculum design and instructional planning for grades 9–12, integrating individualized education plans (IEPs), differentiated instruction, and hands-on learning strategies across academic and vocational subjects.

  • Taught cross-disciplinary courses including History and English (9th–12th grades), as well as Horticulture, emphasizing critical thinking, environmental awareness, and project-based learning that connected academic skills to real-world applications.

  • Coordinated fundraising and community engagement initiatives such as school garden projects, local partnerships, and student-led service events to enhance resources and promote experiential learning opportunities.

7th Grade Varying Exceptionalities Teacher - Public School

  • Design and deliver differentiated instruction aligned with Florida standards to meet the diverse academic, behavioral, and social needs of students with exceptionalities.

  • Develop, implement, and monitor IEPs in compliance with IDEA, state, and district regulations, ensuring appropriate accommodations and modifications.

  • Foster a positive, inclusive classroom environment that supports emotional regulation, social skills, and effective behavior management.

  • Collaborate with general education teachers, specialists, and families to support student success and promote inclusion.

  • Maintain accurate documentation and engage in professional development to stay current on best practices in special education.

GED Teacher - Juvenile Delinquency Alternative School  

  • Plan and deliver engaging instruction aligned with state standards and GED curriculum, addressing varying academic levels and learning needs.

  • Create a structured, trauma-informed, and supportive classroom environment that promotes safety, respect, and self-discipline.

  • Integrate social-emotional learning, life skills, and vocational readiness into daily lessons to support student reintegration and success beyond the classroom.

  • Assess student progress and maintain accurate records, including lesson plans, grades, and behavioral observations, in compliance with state and facility guidelines.

  • Collaborate with counselors, correctional officers, and support staff to ensure coordinated care and consistent expectations for student behavior and achievement.

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