top of page

Curriculum Vitae

 
 
 
Tana Howtopat, CADC3; CAGC; LCSW
Co-Executive Director
Medicine Wheel Recovery Services, Inc.
58147 Columbia River Highway, Suite C
St. Helens, OR  97051
(503)396-5322 or (503)753-8035
thowtopat@medicinewheelrecoveryservices.org
 
 

Practicing from a trauma informed, culturally sensitive perspective.  Specializing in the co-occurring treatment of substance abuse disorders, pathological and problem gambling, and mental health issues.

"As a co-founder of Medicine Wheel Recovery Services, my vision was to create an environment where people felt safe to be vulnerable, to share, and to heal.   MWRS has evolved into a "family" and a "home" of recovery.  MWRS has her own spirit, which has grown from the love of the treatment team and the people that we serve.  I am blessed to be a servant to my community and to MWRS."

​

Education

Arizona State University

Current â–ª Nonprofit Leadership and Management

Humboldt State University

June 2017 â–ª Advanced Standing Masters of Social Work

New York Council on Problem Gambling

July 2015 â–ª 60-hour Core Curriculum Training

Portland State University

June 2014 â–ª Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Portland Community College

June 2011 â–ª Associates of Applied Science in Alcohol and Drug Counseling

Professional Experience

Co-Executive Director (2015-Current)

Medicine Wheel Recovery Services • 58147 Columbia River Highway St Helens, OR 97051                                        

  • Establishing the organization and completing licensure requirements

  • Establishing compliance with Medicaid and various private insurances

  • Program Development

  • Managing and supervising all staff; Staff training

  • Creating and maintaining community relationships and contracts

  • Co-Occurring, Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Gambling Service Delivery

  • Creating Policies and Procedures

  • Creating and implementing productivity strategies

  • Managing complaints and grievances

  • Payroll

  • Managing records requests

  • Grant Writing, Grant Management

 

Quality Management Specialist (2014-2015)

NARA NW • 1310 SW 17th Portland, OR 97201

  • Population management/building databases

  • Creating/standardizing forms

  • Policies and Procedures

  • Grants/Evaluations

  • Internal investigations

 

Outpatient Program Manager (2013-2014)

NARA NW Outpatient • 1631 SW Columbia Portland, OR 97201

  • Program Development

  • Creating and maintaining community partnerships

  • Managing a program with approximately 40 staff

  • Interviewing and hiring

  • Clinical supervision for CADC staff

​

Addictions Counselor (2010-2013)

NARA NW Outpatient • 1631 SW Columbia Portland, OR 97201

  • Case Management/Documentation

  • Multidimensional assessments/ISSP treatment planning

  • Resource referral and case management

  • Group facilitation

  • Client advocacy/community partner collaboration

  • Individual therapy

  • Discharges

  • Curriculum Development

Volunteer Experience

Internship (2016-2017)                                                                                                                                                                  MWRS Outpatient Mental Health â–ª 58147 Columbia River Highway, Suite C, St. Helens, OR 97051

  • Assessments/ISSP treatment planning

  • Individual therapy (focus on historical trauma/grief and loss)

  • Developing staff training regarding the role of historical trauma in mental health

  • Creating hybrid, co-occurring  curriculum for sessions that incorporated DBT skills and Relapse Prevention skills

  • Developed a way to use Talking Circle as a mental health process group and skills training group

​

Internship (2009 & 2013) 

NARA NW Outpatient Mental Health â–ª 1631 SW Columbia Portland, OR 97201

  • Assessments/ISSP treatment planning

  • Individual therapy (focus on historical trauma/grief and loss)

  • Group facilitation

  • Discharges

  • Census data entry

 

Crisis Line Operator (2010-2011)

Oregon Partnership â–ª 5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 400 Portland, OR 97239

  • 56 hours of specialized training

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Certificate

  • 225-hour commitment to service

  • Immediate assistance, referral services, and follow up

  • Specialized support for military service persons and their families

  • Assist callers in crisis, assess suicidal ideation, and provide unbiased support and validation of feelings.

  • Access alcohol, drug and mental health referral information from data base while engaging in conversation with caller.

  • Use listening skills and reflect feelings to invite self-disclosure.

  • Research internet for information to supplement referral information.

  • Document nature of call and follow up activities

  • Participate in monthly trainings to increase knowledge of special populations and alcohol, drug and mental health concerns.

 

Veteran's Advocate (2013)

Columbia County Veteran’s Stand Down

  • Assisting Veterans to access services during the Columbia County Veterans Stand Down

  • Assisting with setup and break down of the service facility

  • Assisted with fundraisers leading up to the Stand Down

 

Special Projects

  • PPE for Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (2020)

  • Collaborative Member of the Columbia County JRI Team (2020)

  • Member of the Rules Advisory Committee for OAR 309-019-0195 DUII Provider Rules (2017)

  • Member of the Columbia County Substance Abuse Steering Committee (2017)

  • The MWRS Participant Workbook (2017)

  • Cultural consultant for research collaboration between OHSU and Columbia University (using technology to deliver Relapse Prevention Modules to Outpatient service recipients (2013-2014)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

bottom of page