Karen Hester

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) seeking a part-time position to provide ethical client-centered mental health services using evidence-based interventions. To assist with transforming lives by helping individuals to meet their full potential by implementing the skills, education and knowledge I have obtained in the behavioral and mental health field.

Mental Health group facilitator - charlie health - remote

(2025-05)

• Lead virtual mental health groups using Charlie Health's curriculum, ensuring client participation and fostering a positive group environment.
• Implement and adapt to assigned curricula, which include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), trauma-informed approaches, and adventure-based practices.
• Complete accurate and timely clinical documentation within the electronic health record (EMR).
• Participate in group supervision sessions.

School social worker - Cobb county public schools - Marietta, GA

(2005-08)

• Serve as a liaison between students, staff, parents, and community agencies.
• Assist with identifying and eliminating barriers that are preventing students from reaching their academic potential.
• Provide crisis intervention, as needed.
• Facilitate bi-weekly social skills group with middle school students.
• Provide weekly individual social skills and emotional regulation sessions for identified students.
• Facilitate and document weekly treatment team meetings.
• Assist families with identifying and obtaining available community resources.
• Present/train staff and parents in the areas of mental health and trauma.
• Work collaboratively with staff, parents, and outside community agencies.
• Maintain organized documentation for every student on case load.

Social service foster/adoption specialist - Henry County department of family and children services - McDonough, GA

(2004-05 - 2005-08)

• Managed structured intensive in-home programs to support foster families and the children in care.
• Maintained and completed required documentation to ensure compliance and the safety of the children in care.
• Work collaboratively with court personnel, outside agencies, birth families and foster families to serve the whole child.
• Facilitated IMPACT orientations and classes.
• Conducted and completed re-evaluations and initial home studies.
• Assessed and identified any risk-factors within the placement of a child.
• Developed case plans that ensured adequate care and services were provided to both the foster parent and children.
• Attended regular court appearance on the child's behalf as required by the courts.
• Monitored activities, progress, and adjustment of children while completing health and safety inspections in the foster home.

Social service foster/adoption specialist assistant-intern - Liberty County department of family and children services - Hinesville, GA

(2003-04 - 2004-04)

• Assisted with conducting and completing foster and adoptive re-evaluations and initial home studies.
• Assisted with facilitating the MAPP program.
• Assisted with screening potential foster and adoptive parents.
• Spearheaded networking with community agencies.
• Worked with foster/adoptive families to ensure that adequate services were in place to maintain placement of the child.

Bachelor of Art - sociology with a minor in social welfare - dillard university (2002)

Master of social work - savannah state university (2004)