Dawn Palumbo-Madera LMHC

That I am a professional whose personal story directly outlines everything I am today, and sometimes I cuss.

• Florida, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MH16816

I started as a "tech" at a residential facility for women dealing with substance abuse issues where I honed my skills at clinical documentation (winning the 2004-2005 human services and counseling award for excellence in clinical documentation while attending community college. As I gained more knowledge and understanding of the behaviors I witnessed as as a driver for the mobile crisis response team in Hillsborough County. Having all access to licensed persons (mental health and social work), who have been "in the field" for decades while traveling to an individual's home performing assessments for a possible Baker Act; we were able to discuss the information and here is where I gained my diagnostic skills. It was also during this time I became fully aware of what is entailed when your rights are taken from you and what is required before they are fully restored. This is not something I take lightly. I also became more culturally aware working with different "populations" within the county. It is important to note that many persons also had to manage other issues such as: medical, legal, violence, child welfare, housing, employment because these "things" don't happen in a bubble. As I moved on academically to the masters level I began working specifically with individuals addicted to opiates who were being treated with Methadone (Subutex, etc) where I rounded out my skills related to treatment development/planning. Being able to develop a working relationship with people based on the concepts of honesty, openness, and a willingness to change