Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Professional Development
Characteristics
Locations
References
Personal Information
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Jessica Steijn

Nightcliff

Summary

I am a 39-year-old woman from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and I moved to Australia 13 years ago for work and travel. I have lived in Perth, WA, and Darwin, NT. I hold an Australian driver’s license and am proficient in English (IELTS academic band score of 7.5) and fluent in Dutch.


My professional background as a social worker encompasses coaching, counseling, team management, and the development of innovative methods and courses.


I have extensive expertise in forensic work, crisis intervention, mental health and disability challenges, including aggression, as well as prevention and rehabilitation within (forensic) psychiatric settings and the community.


I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and have over 17 years of experience working with various methodologies. My strengths lie in coaching, observation, problem analysis, and devising step-by-step solutions. I excel in organization and planning, and I believe that effective teamwork is rooted in communication, feedback, transparency, coaching, and a sense of humor.

I adapt my communication style to build strong rapport with clients and their families, employing active and reflective listening techniques. I am adept at collaborating with both government and non-government organizations, as well as liaising with lawyers, police, and other professionals to ensure clients receive the appropriate support. My experience includes working with individuals with complex needs and diverse cultural backgrounds, including Indigenous Australians. In my roles as a Senior Mental Health Social Worker and Residential Manager, I have provided tailored support based on individual needs.


Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Residential Manager

Department of Attorney-General and Justice
10.2017 - Current

* Coordinating, implementing and facilitating the development of policies and procedures, relevant to residents with complex mental health, behavioral and disability support needs

* Providing advice and contribute to a multi-disciplinary team of stakeholders regarding the day to day management of residents including transition planning.

* Maintaining, record and reporting accurate statistical date related to the delivery of services

* Work collaboratively with the Department of Health and Northern Territory Corrective Services in the delivery of a culturally appropriate best practice Secure Residential Facility that accommodates residents with mental health needs and disabilities.

  • Oversaw daily operations within the facility, ensuring that all tasks were completed accurately and on time.
  • Evaluated employee performance regularly, identifying areas for improvement and developing targeted action plans accordingly.
  • Improved resident satisfaction by addressing concerns and implementing necessary changes in residential programs.
  • Served as an advocate for residents, ensuring their rights were protected and their voices were heard in matters that affected them directly.
  • Implemented individualized care plans for each resident, resulting in improved overall well-being and personal growth.
  • Continuously sought opportunities to improve the overall quality of life within the facility by staying informed on industry trends and best practices in residential care management.
  • Managed budgets effectively, ensuring the allocation of resources to meet the needs of both residents and staff members.
  • Reduced turnover rates for staff by providing ongoing training, support, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Increased resident participation in activities by creating diverse programming tailored to individual interests and abilities.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive strategies for meeting each resident''s unique needs.
  • Fostered a positive work environment by consistently recognizing staff achievements and offering constructive feedback as needed.
  • Streamlined administrative processes, improving efficiency within the facility without compromising on quality of care or service delivery.
  • Facilitated smooth transitions when admitting new residents into the facility by working closely with their families during this challenging period of adjustment.
  • Promoted a safe living environment by conducting regular inspections and addressing potential hazards proactively.
  • Implemented and enforced policies and procedures to maintain properties to highest standards.

Senior Mental Health Clinician

Top End Mental Health Services
10.2016 - 10.2017

Acute Crisis Team

* Assessment and short term management of acute mental illness and risks within Royal Darwin Hospital Emergency Department and community setting.

  • Provided crisis intervention services, de-escalating high-risk situations and connecting clients with appropriate resources.
  • Conducted thorough assessments and liaise with psychiatrists to diagnose mental health disorders and develop appropriate treatment plans.
  • Strengthened client coping skills by providing psychoeducation on stress management techniques and self-care strategies.
  • Reduced hospital readmission rates through effective discharge planning and follow-up appointments.
  • Maintained ethical boundaries while demonstrating empathy to address sensitive topics during group or individual therapy sessions.
  • Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.

Senior Mental Health Clinician

Top End Mental Health Services
09.2014 - 05.2016

Community mental health team

* Providing allied health services and case management to clients, carers and community based partners.

* Pursuant to section 23(2) of the Mental Health and Related Services Act, assigned as a Designated Mental Health Practitioner.

  • Coordinated referrals to community resources, addressing clients'' social determinants of health needs effectively.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members for comprehensive mental health care plans.
  • Strengthened client coping skills by providing psychoeducation on stress management techniques and self-care strategies.
  • Advocated for clients'' needs within the broader mental health system, ensuring access to necessary services and resources.
  • Assisted clients in achieving personal goals through individualized case management services.
  • Maintained ethical boundaries while demonstrating empathy to address sensitive topics during group or individual therapy sessions.
  • Promoted a supportive environment by establishing rapport and trust with diverse clientele.
  • Documented clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status.
  • Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
  • Stayed current on mental health research to follow new developments and research in mental health field.
  • Managed patients with substance dependence and co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders.
  • Prepared reports to summarize clients' mental health status and treatment progress.
  • Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.

Drug & Alcohol Social Worker

Department of Health
06.2013 - 09.2013

Providing specialist alcohol and other drugs client assessments, interventions and counseling with the aim to reduce the risk of harm arising from the misuse of alcohol and/or other drugs.

  • Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure appropriate care coordination and resource allocation for clients.
  • Educated families on available community resources, connecting them with essential services
  • De-escalated stressful situations through individual and family crisis interventions.
  • Supported clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
  • Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating informed decision-making by team members.
  • Advocated for clients to assure respected rights and wishes.
  • Monitored clients' progress and adapted treatment plans to meet changing needs.

Support worker

Dutch Aged Care
08.2012 - 05.2013

The Dutch aged care is now called 'Cura in home care'.

The principal aim of the Dutch Aged Care organization is to assist in maintaining and improving the quality of life of elderly people with dementia in Perth, Wa.

Senior Mental Health Clinician

Astare in the zorg
05.2011 - 05.2012

Astare is an employment agency for psychiatric work.

Via Astara I worked for organizations such as Jellinek (addiction clinic) and Inforsa (short intensive treatment and actue care).

  • Provided crisis intervention services, de-escalating high-risk situations and connecting clients with appropriate resources.
  • Provided support to colleagues during times of instability in the teams due to incidents in the unit.
  • Creating safety and securtiy for clients and colleagues and support with their workload.

(Senior) Mental Health Clinician

Oostvaarders clinic
02.2008 - 05.2012

Forensic Psychiatric Centre the Oostvaarders Clinic, is a centre for Forensic psychiatry. The clinic is part of the Custodial Institutions of the Ministry of Security and Justice in the Netherlands. They accept admissions of individuals with Axis I and Axis II diagnoses.

  • Provided crisis intervention services, de-escalating high-risk situations and connecting clients with appropriate resources.
  • Conducted thorough assessments to diagnose mental health disorders and develop appropriate treatment plans.
  • Trained new clinicians in agency policies and procedures, ensuring consistent service delivery across the organization.
  • Developed tailored treatment plans by utilizing various therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, and solution-focused therapy.
  • Evaluated treatment outcomes using standardized assessment tools and adjusting therapeutic interventions accordingly for optimal results.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members for comprehensive mental health care plans.
  • Contributed to ongoing professional development programs for staff members, sharing knowledge of current best practices in the field of mental health counseling.
  • Coordinated referrals to community resources, addressing clients'' social determinants of health needs effectively.
  • Participated actively in weekly case conferences discussing progress/needs of clients to inform overall treatment approach.
  • Strengthened client coping skills by providing psychoeducation on stress management techniques and self-care strategies.
  • Advocated for clients'' needs within the broader mental health system, ensuring access to necessary services and resources.
  • Assisted clients in achieving personal goals through individualized case management services.
  • Promoted a supportive environment by establishing rapport and trust with diverse clientele.
  • Maintained ethical boundaries while demonstrating empathy to address sensitive topics during group or individual therapy sessions.
  • Facilitated support groups, fostering peer connections and promoting open communication among participants.
  • Documented clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status.
  • Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy.
  • Attended trainings to participate in regular supervision and continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards.
  • Conducted crisis interventions to respond to clients in crisis, assess immediate needs and provide support and resources.
  • Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.

Volunteer

Foundation Tendens
06.2006 - 07.2009

Tendens organizes holidays for people with intellectual disabilities/challenges.

I was group organizer and mentor of a group of 9 individuals age 17 - 25 years with various support needs such as; ADHD, Autism, PTSS, Prader Willi Syndrome, and Down Syndrome (2006).

I also organized a group holiday with mental health challenges and disabilities age 35 - 70 years.

  • Assisted with special events and day programs
  • Supported engaging, fun, and smooth-running events by helping with organization and planning
  • Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others
  • Money management and support
  • Supplying medication

Social worker

Lindenhout
01.2007 - 06.2008

Lindenhout provides supports and guidance to children and adolescents who grow up in disadvantaged areas.


* Providing care and support to young people between 12 - 18 years old to become self sufficient

* Organizing structure, creating a safe environment, addressing behavioral issues, providing advice and practical support whilst living in the same apartment as the clients











Volunteer

Foundation Humanitas
02.2007 - 02.2008

Humanitas is one of the main social service organizations of the Netherlands. Humanitas is a non-profit organization which aimsa to support people who, for a range of different reasons, cannot manage on their own.

  • Supported clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
  • Educated families on available community resources, connecting them with essential services such as housing assistance, financial aid, or healthcare providers.

Education

Bachelor of Social Work - Ethics, Psychopathology, Management And Policy

The Hague University
The Hague, The Netherlands
01.2010

Skills

  • Suicide risk assessment
  • Psychosocial assessments
  • Clinical assessment
  • Client advocacy
  • Mental health counseling
  • Supervisory skills
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration
  • Behavioral management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Risk assessment
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Crisis intervention
  • Clinical supervision
  • Biopsychosocial assessments
  • Strengths-based solution-focused therapy
  • Educational support
  • Disability support

Certification

Registered Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Registered Social Worker with the Social Work registration board of New Zealand (SWRB)

Accredited Clinical Supervisor with The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)

Languages

English
Dutch

Professional Development


  • Aggression prevention
  • Designed and delivered course social skills course for forensic clients (Netherlands)
  • Developed and delivered training in psychopathology for forensic clinicians (Netherlands)
  • Inspection for contraband (Netherlands)
  • Designated mental health practitioner
  • AED
  • Basic Life Support
  • Managing under performance
  • Escorting patients on leave (the Netherlands)
  • Safe supplying of medication (The Netherlands)
  • The essentials of management



Characteristics

  • Loyal
  • Honest
  • Ambitious
  • Straightforward
  • Trustworthy
  • Independent
  • Responsible
  • Reflective
  • Accountability
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Conflict resolution

Locations

  • Perth, WA
  • Darwin, NT
  • Amsterdam, North Holland

References

  • Yvette Nicholls, Manager Offender Development, NT Correctional Services, Department of Attorney-General and Justice, Yvette.nicholls@nt.gov.au
  • David Chapman, Consultant psychiatrist, Mental Health Acute Crisis Team, +61 (08) 89994988, david.chapman@nt.gov.au
  • Peter Dobbinga & Pepijn van de Weide, Director, Astare in de Zorg, +316 211 73011, peter@astare.nl, pepijn@astare.nl

Personal Information

  • Age: 39
  • Nationality: Australian Dutch

Additional Information


Currently part time studying Masters of Sexology on Curtin University, Perth WA


Timeline

Residential Manager

Department of Attorney-General and Justice
10.2017 - Current

Senior Mental Health Clinician

Top End Mental Health Services
10.2016 - 10.2017

Senior Mental Health Clinician

Top End Mental Health Services
09.2014 - 05.2016

Drug & Alcohol Social Worker

Department of Health
06.2013 - 09.2013

Support worker

Dutch Aged Care
08.2012 - 05.2013

Senior Mental Health Clinician

Astare in the zorg
05.2011 - 05.2012

(Senior) Mental Health Clinician

Oostvaarders clinic
02.2008 - 05.2012

Volunteer

Foundation Humanitas
02.2007 - 02.2008

Social worker

Lindenhout
01.2007 - 06.2008

Volunteer

Foundation Tendens
06.2006 - 07.2009

Registered Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Registered Social Worker with the Social Work registration board of New Zealand (SWRB)

Accredited Clinical Supervisor with The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)

Bachelor of Social Work - Ethics, Psychopathology, Management And Policy

The Hague University
Jessica Steijn