Social Services & Psychological Crisis Care Professional (612) 217-0425 | cindy@cindybreen.

com

Cynthia Breen

Career and Skills Summary

I have dedicated my entire professional life to working directly in the social service system: providing care for those affected by mental illness or needing psychological crisis services; assisting the developmentally disabled; working with disadvantaged communities; and delivering services and advocacy for underserved populations. Whether as an employee, volunteer or individual, I believe in and practice individualized care in dynamic team environments, recognizing the importance of flexibility; adaptable skills; collaborative problem-solving and strict adherence to regulatory and licensure protocols in all aspects of my profession.

Employment History
People Incorporated / Nancy Page Crisis Residence
Mental Health Practitioner Minneapolis, MN / 612-870-3787 Mental health crisis care team member working in high-volume, fast-paced short-term crisis residence, working directly with clients spanning the diagnostic and functional spectrum in individual and group settings. On a daily basis, responsible for conducting individual crisis assessments, treatment planning and empowering clients to complete their treatment goals. Collaborate in assisting clients in mental health crisis develop and complete Crisis Response Action Plans, Relapse Prevention Plans, Wellness Plans and other assignments to mitigate the individuals crisis environment . Ongoing responsibilities include providing treatment interventions to clients in accordance with their treatment plans; this involves promoting, encouragement, and training clients to develop the skills they need to gain independence, self-sufficiency for their basic living needs.

(Dec 2008 - Present)

Advanced Behavioral Health

Therapist (Practicum Intern) Brooklyn Park, MN / Joanne Williamsen, Director / 612-560-8331

(Jan 2008 Aug 2008)

As an interning therapist for my Masters Degree practicum, I was actively involved in therapy sessions both in group and individual settings for adults with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and autism spectrum disorders, completing 700 hours of internship in conjunction with my Masters Degree in Psychology. I lead multiple group sessions within ABHs Pilot Program, a therapy based on Dialectical

Resume of Cynthia Breen

Mental Health & Social Service Professional

cindy@cindybreen.com

612-217-0425

Cynthia Breen Resume

Page | 2

Behavior Therapy (DBT) and the Pesso Boyden System (PBSP) method; this approach was designed to complement the concrete thinking patterns of the people we served. The Pilot Program is a process that required the entire team to serve each individual, offering broad learning opportunities with diverse clientele needs. As appropriate, I provided individual clientcentered counseling, gestalt therapy, strengths-based counseling, cognitive therapy, anger management training and behavioral analysis.

Hennepin County Mental Health Local Advisory Council

Advisory Board Member (Appointee) Minneapolis, MN / Kelsey Walton, Assistant to Commissioner Gail Dorfman / 612-348-4304

(Feb 2008 Present)

By annual appointment by the full County Board, I advise the Hennepin County Commissioners on adult mental health issues as part of the countys Local Advisory Council (LAC). In addition to serving the full Hennepin County Board, my role allows close work with Commissioner Gail Dorfman, a long-time advocate for those affected by mental illness. As a designated advocate for consumers of county mental health services, my responsibility within the greater LAC body includes ensuring that policy and planning recommendations from the council reflect present and future needs by consumers for services; addressing shortcomings in the existing system; and facilitating interagency cooperation with social service providers at the neighborhood, city, regional and state level to optimize consumer quality of care, efficiency and proper budget allocation. My commission also involves research and presenting findings to the board to determine if findings meet policy guidelines. In December 2008, I was elected co-chairperson of the advisory group through the end of 2009; I was re-elected chair in 2010, and remain on the council following renewal of my appointment in 2011.

Hazelden Center for Youth and Families

Admissions Specialist / CD Technician Plymouth, MN / 651-213-4200

(Aug 2003 Aug 2007)

Responsible for initiating and managing the client admission process; this involved extensive records management, including confidential client medical records, financial materials, payment instruments and discharge information. I often worked with clients and their families to arrange special financing, hybrid insurance coverage and other mechanisms to allow less-affluent individuals to access Hazeldens programs Additional responsibilities included lecturing on chemical dependency issues; implementation of and coordinating the completion of treatment plans. I was involved regularly in direct client counseling, including 12-Step education; dual-diagnosis awareness; anger management; grief/loss counseling; and off-site meeting supervision

Resume of Cynthia Breen Mental Health & Social Services Professional

612-217-0425 cindy@cindybreen.com

Cynthia Breen Resume

Page | 3

Minnesota State Senate

Legislative Intern St. Paul, MN / Secretary of the Senate / 651-296-0504

(Fall 1997 Winter 2002)

I have diverse and multi-faceted experience working for individual Senators well as the Senate Page Program in Minnesota's state capital with political figures across the ideological spectrum. As a Legislative Intern, I corresponded with Senators constituents and the media to educate and provide awareness of legislation in committee or facing a vote. I also provided political guidance on particular issues in the Senators district, utilizing statistical research to target constituents so that customized and tailored communications would be sent based upon a given citizens interests, concerns and hot-button issues.

Education & Certifications

Northwestern College St. Paul, MN Bachelor of Science in Psychology Graduate (2004) Saint Marys University/Minnesota Minneapolis, MN Masters of Arts in Psychology Graduate (2008)

Skills & Training

Group therapy management, individual therapy and applied psychological assessment Experience working with challenging client populations, including the autistic, intellectually disabled youth, adults with SPMI /chemical dependency issues Proven success in project coordination, including special events; donor/fundraising initiatives; multi-departmental internal projects; and integrated projects with internal and external stakeholders Extensive experience working with senior executive and political figures; long-term relationships with current and former elected officials throughout Minnesota (including many involved in the funding, planning and oversight of social services programs at local, county and state levels) Demonstrated skill in political operations and campaign management, including leadership position with Al Frankens 2008 Senate campaign in which I worked with Franni Franken (Sen. Frankens wife) to organize Women for Franken, which mobilized women donors, enabled

Resume of Cynthia Breen Mental Health & Social Services Professional

612-217-0425 cindy@cindybreen.com

Cynthia Breen Resume

Page | 4

voter registration for first-time voters and utilized cell-phone parties to enable Frankens female supporters to connect with undecided or unaffiliated potential voters prior to Senator Al Frankens election in 2008 Strong communication and organization skills, with proven experience in high-volume and task-intensive work environments. Excellent written and verbal communications, including fluency in APA style and extensive charting/patient records environments, including Procentive Self-guided independent contributor, as well as proven abilities as team-oriented contributor Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); Advanced skill in Google Apps (Docs, Apps, Sites, Collaboration) cloud-based content management; advanced skills on PC Windows 7 and Mac platforms, as well as the Android mobile OS

References & Resources

Additional information and references on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/cindybreen) Further references gladly provided upon request. Please contact me at your convenience cindy@cindybreen.com (612) 217-0425 (612) 396-3852

Thank you for your time and interest! Cynthia Breen

Resume of Cynthia Breen Mental Health & Social Services Professional

612-217-0425 cindy@cindybreen.com