Derek Breslin

Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit with graduate training in counseling and community psychology, current psychiatric crisis experience, and 20 years of public-safety service. Experienced in crisis assessment, de-escalation, suicide and safety screening, trauma-informed communication, documentation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and work with adolescents, adults, families, vulnerable populations, and individuals experiencing acute behavioral-health concerns. Brings a calm, collaborative, and person-centered approach informed by CBT, DBT skills, and crisis intervention principles.

Psychiatric Crisis Worker / Crisis Clinician at Ellis Hospital (2025-06 – Present)

• Conduct mental-health screenings and crisis assessments for Emergency Department patients, identifying acute needs, risk factors, safety concerns, and appropriate levels of care.
• Support patients presenting with suicidal ideation, self-harm concerns, mood symptoms, psychosis, substance-use concerns, behavioral dysregulation, trauma-related distress, and other psychiatric emergencies.
• Collaborate with social workers, nurses, psychiatrists, physicians, and hospital staff on de-escalation, safety planning, disposition, discharge planning, and community referrals.
• Use trauma-informed, person-centered communication to establish rapport with patients and families during high-stress encounters.
• Complete timely clinical documentation consistent with hospital policy, confidentiality requirements, and continuity-of-care needs.
• Completed a 600-hour graduate clinical internship in the Ellis Hospital Crisis Unit as part of the M.A. counseling program.

Police Officer at Niskayuna Police Department (2022-12 – 2026-07)

Retired in July 2026 after 20 years of New York law-enforcement service.

• Responded to emergency calls, domestic incidents, welfare checks, behavioral-health crises, and community safety concerns requiring calm communication, sound judgment, and rapid risk assessment.
• Applied de-escalation, crisis-management, interviewing, and trauma-informed communication skills in high-pressure situations involving individuals and families in distress.
• Prepared detailed incident reports, investigations, court documentation, and interagency communications while maintaining confidentiality and evidentiary standards.

Police Officer / Patrol Sergeant / Investigator at Colonie Police Department (2006-07 – 2022-12)

• Promoted through patrol, investigative, administrative, and supervisory assignments, including Patrol Sergeant and Youth and Special Victims Investigator.
• Investigated cases involving juveniles, sexual assault, domestic violence, trauma exposure, vulnerable victims, and other sensitive or complex circumstances.
• Conducted interviews with victims, witnesses, suspects, youth, and family members while gathering statements, assessing credibility, preparing warrants, and coordinating next steps.
• Supervised patrol operations, personnel assignments, report review, citizen complaints, internal matters, mentoring, and day-to-day decision-making in a public-safety environment.
• Managed crime-scene documentation, evidence collection, case preparation, courtroom testimony, background investigations, training, and field-training responsibilities.

Master of Arts in Counseling and Community Psychology – Russell Sage College (2026)

Master of Public Administration – Marist College (2019)

Bachelor of Arts – Siena College (2006)