Social Work
General Services
Welcome to the Clinical Social Work Department at the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute! We are a dynamic group of mental health professionals with training in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of emotional disorders and mental illness. Clinical social workers are skilled in helping with problems of living and facilitating personal growth and development. Our social workers are all Master’s level graduates of accredited schools of Social Work.
Clinical Social Workers
- Develop, implement and maintain individualized treatment plans for clients, serve as members of interdisciplinary teams and provide linkages with families/significant others and community agencies
- Assess the psychosocial needs of the patients and their support system, and, based on the assessments, provide treatment which facilitates the discharge of patients at their highest level of functioning in order that patients effectively adapt within their family and community
- Provide social work services to support the recovery of individuals with serious mental illness
Social Work Department Mission/Vision/Values
Mission
The Social Work Department supports the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute's mission by providing social work services to support the recovery of individuals with serious mental illness.Vision
Through partnership with other Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute departments, our consumers, their families, and community service providers, the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute Social Work Department will become an exemplary department for those who need and those who provide our services.Values
Patient Centered Quality Services........Teamwork.......Respect
Frequently Offered Social Work Groups
Active Treatment Group therapy has many advantages. Group members often develop a common bond and affirm one another’s feelings. Group members no longer feel isolated and alone. They feel supported by others who share similar experiences.
- DBT Skill Building
- Co-lead Substance Abuse Education Group
- Anger Management
- Grief/Loss Issues
- Storytelling
- Patient Resources in the Community
- “Ask the Social Worker”
- Relationship Skill Building
- Family Dynamics
- Discharge Issues
- Family Groups
- Women's Issues
- NAMI Corner every 3rd Thursday 6 - 7 p.m.
- Multi-family Group every Wednesday 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Please see a current group schedule. Other groups may be introduced if a topic is suggested by patients or referring physicians/other caregivers and a significant need is evident.
Other Social Work Interventions
- Supportive counseling and family meetings
- Participating in best practice clinical services development to ensure continuity of care regarding discharge planning
- Outreach regarding community reintegration (i.e. Social security, Medicare Part D enrollment, Work Adjustment Training, arrange participation at LMEC (Laurie Mitchell Employment Center), and other services that support a successful transition to the community
- Working with the RCSC (Regional Community Support Center) partnering with the Regional Peer Bridger Specialist to provide a smooth transition and bridge individuals back into the community
Contact Information
Social Work Department
(703) 207-7100Director Clinical Social Work
Melissa Preston, LCSWExecutive Secretary
Peggy PavoneClinical Social Work Staff
Naomi Bartakke, LCSWYvonne Copeland, LSW
Valerie Keogh, MSW, LCSW
Robert Lovelace, MSW
Kathleen Luisa, LCSW, CSAC
Megan McMillan, LGSW
Wendy Miessler, MSW
Kristin Scholl, LGSW, LCSW
Erin Shaffer, MSW, LCSW
Zita Stonick, MSW, LCSW
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