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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 ▪ Nonprofit Leadership and Management

Humboldt State University

June 2017 ▪ Advanced Standing Masters of Social Work

New York Council on Problem Gambling

July 2015 ▪ 60-hour Core Curriculum Training

Portland State University

June 2014 ▪ Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Portland Community College

June 2011 ▪ 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 ▪ 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 ▪ 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 ▪ 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)

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