Palas K. Spearman
Cincinnati
Summary
Palas K. Spearman is a passionate and purpose-driven Social Services Professional, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III, and Certified Trauma Professional with over a decade of transformative experience across addictions counseling, foster care, marriage and family therapy, case management, and trauma-informed education. Deeply empathetic and intuitive, Palas creates safe, empowering spaces for clients to explore, heal, and reclaim their personal agency. Her work is grounded in an innate gift for connection and a lifelong dedication to serving others, cultivated from childhood and strengthened through academic and real-world experience. A dynamic leader and advocate, she has inspired change through her work with youth, families, and individuals facing complex trauma and addiction. Palas combines clinical expertise with a compassionate, culturally responsive approach to support meaningful, sustainable recovery and community healing. She is especially skilled in identifying the root causes of dysfunction and guiding others toward holistic transformation.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School-Based Mental Health Therapist
Poppy's Therapeutic Corner
01.2025 - 03.2025
- Assessment and Treatment Planning: Conduct comprehensive assessments of students' mental health needs, including diagnostic evaluation, risk assessment, and development of individualized treatment plans.
- Individual and Group Therapy: Provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions to students, both individually and in group settings, to address a range of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral challenges, and social skills development.
- Crisis Intervention: Offer immediate support and intervention for students experiencing mental health crises, including suicidal ideation, self-harm, or other emergencies, and collaborate with school staff and community resources to ensure safety and appropriate follow-up care.
- Collaboration and Consultation: Work collaboratively with school personnel, including administrators, teachers, counselors, and special education staff, to support students' mental health needs within the school environment. Provide consultation, training, and support to school staff on issues related to mental health and behavior management.
- Family Engagement: Engage with students' families to assess family dynamics, provide support and education, and collaborate on treatment goals and interventions to promote positive outcomes for students.
- Referral and Coordination: Coordinate referrals to external mental health providers, community agencies, and other resources as needed, and facilitate communication and collaboration between school-based and external providers to ensure continuity of care
SUD Counselor
The Recovery Center Of Ohio USA
02.2024 - 10.2024
- Conduct confidential, quality assessments, utilizing ASAM Placement criteria and the Addiction Severity Index to determine the appropriate level of care;
- Use a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach to work collaboratively with clients and internal and external team members to help support clients in their treatment and recovery
- Provide clinical consultation to referral resources, Mentors, family members, and others to help support clients in their recovery
- Work closely with clients to engage them in the decision-making process and help them understand the benefits of assessment and accessing the appropriate level of care as indicated
- Coordinate with the Intake Coordinator as needed to contact clients to confirm appointment dates, times, and assessment locations
- Collect information from collateral resources to aid in determining diagnosis and need for treatment
- Conduct IOP groups Monday through Friday as directed
- Remain in compliance with internal and external policies, procedures, regulations, and standards, including all of the agencies policies and procedures and Quality Assurance Plan, and State Licensing standards
- Participate in all assigned meetings, staff development, and training as required
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
A Ray Of Hope Counseling And Health Services
05.2023 - 11.2023
- Maintained accurate and thoroughly documented notes and client records in accordance with licensing standards.
- Conducted intake and needs assessments to set therapeutic goals and establish professional relationships with clients.
- Assisted clients in locating resources for housing services and financial assistance.
- Performed individual, couple and family psychotherapy in-person and via teletherapy sessions to help clients pinpoint emotions underlying personal, relational and family conflicts.
- Assessed clients' mental health needs, developed treatment plans and monitored progress.
- Introduced meditation, guided imagery, and breathing techniques to patients and families.
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Three Waters Recovery Center
02.2023 - 05.2023
- Maintained accurate and thoroughly documented notes and client records in accordance with licensing standards.
- Conducted intake and needs assessments to set therapeutic goals and establish professional relationships with clients.
- Performed individual and group psychotherapy and conducted teletherapy sessions to help clients pinpoint emotions underlying personal and relational conflicts.
- Conducted intake and assessments to formulate treatment plan and manage client records.
- Countered problematic behavior with healthy alternatives to enhance mental, emotional and physical wellness and increase energy.
- Performs light case management duties such as locating housing, funding, medical and other community supports to help clients with their barriers and needs
Outpatient Case Manager
PATH Integrated Healthcare
08.2021 - 11.2022
- Act as a liaison between therapist, client, and family of the client
- Arrange family visits, coordinate transportation, and ensure clients' needs are met
- Ensure communication between family, referral source and Path Integrated Health is appropriate and ongoing
- Ensure documentation occurs according to policy and Path Integrated Health standards of practice and all applicable compliance standards
- Attend Supervisory and Team meetings; present case management reports that accurately represents services provided and client's response to treatment
- Assist with in-service training as directed by Case Management/QMHS Supervisor
- Assistance in achieving personal independence in managing basis needs as identified by the client and/or parent or guardian
- Facilitation of further development of daily living skills, if identified by the client and/or parent or guardian
Case Manager II
Community Link-Talbert House
01.2020 - 05.2020
- Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs
- Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply
- Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients, and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided
- Provide, find, or arrange for support services, such as child care, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes, to prevent more serious problems from developing
- Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical records, or school reports
- Developed and maintained partnerships with local organizations for supportive services opportunities
- Liaised cross-functionally to develop comprehensive treatment support plans for patients
- Utilized motivational interviewing skills for patient engagement in case management plan of care.
Chief Executive Officer
P.K. Spearman Enterprises, LLC
05.2015 - 04.2019
- Gave presentations at meetings and conventions to promote services and offerings
- Negotiated and approved contracts with suppliers and distributors
- Interpreted and enforced policies and regulations to maintain alignment with corporate objectives
- Analyzed operations to evaluate company performance and to determine areas of potential improvement
- Implemented budgetary control systems to support cost-reduction and budget adherence
- Prepared budgets for approval, including those for funding and implementation of programs
- Organized and approved promotional campaigns
- Screened all referrals and potential talent for company
- Organized all production operations for photography shoots, commercials, video/movie edits, and narration recordings
- Created websites, logo design and other promotional materials
- Participated in public speaking and community outreach
- Served as an advocate and educator for Plussize youth and young women.
ABA Therapist
Trumpet Behavioral Health
01.2019 - 02.2019
- Implement individualized programs for children and young adults based on ABA principles that increase communication, self-help, social and play skills
- Utilize positive reinforcement and antecedent modification to increase appropriate behaviors over time
- Manage inappropriate behaviors that occur through the implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and consultation with our Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)
- Keep the children motivated to learn through preference assessments
Teacher Assistant
The Fun Center
01.2012 - 06.2015
- Maintained safe, educational environment for students during learning and free play time
- Communicated regularly with parents, teachers and administrators regarding student progress and needs
- Occasional assistance with toileting child
- Provide extra assistance to students with special needs, such as those with physical and mental disabilities
- Cleaned classrooms and organized instruction materials in appropriate locations
- Developed and maintained consistent, positive relationships with children.
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN04.2026
Masters of Education - Trauma Informed Education
Columbia College
Columbia, SC03.2025
Master of Science - Marriage And Family Therapy
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN04.2024
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ12.2017
Associate of Arts - Psychology
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ11.2014
High School Diploma -
Covington Adult Learning Center
Covington, KY06.2012
Skills
- Individual Counseling
- Multi-tasking
- Leadership
- Public Speaking
- Psychosocial assessment
- Marriage and family therapy
- Group counseling
- Clinical documentation
- Trauma-informed care
- Treatment Planning
- Motivational interviewing
- Crisis intervention
Certification
- LCDC III - Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III
- CTP - Certified Trauma Professional
- CPR/First-Aid/AED/BLS Certification
- NPI - National Provider Identification
- MPN - Medicaid Provider Number
- Contemporary Theory in Couple and Family Systems Certification
- Mediation Officer
Accomplishments
- Founder and Organizer of the 'Incentive' program, which provided items, assisting with the basic needs of individuals in the chemical dependency population, that showed progressive action in the 4 main areas of: attendance, group participation, class cooperation and behavior.
- Organized and coordinated extra curricular activities, that specialized in the development and application of coping skills and BLS for recovering addicts in recovery.
- Recipient of the 'Rising Star' Award by The Recovery Center of Ohio.
- Chosen President for 'The Ladies of Aiken.'
- Sponsored as a feature in online magazine 'Women In Business' in 2016.
- Featured on WCPO's Facebook and Instagram pages for my photography photo entitled, 'River Lights.'
- Featured as an Exhibitionist in the art exhibit at Maple Knoll Village in 2015 for my photography photo entitled, 'Windpipes.'
- Interviewed by Nora Gouma's Magazine for my Plussize Boutique called, CURVENISTA.
Timeline
School-Based Mental Health Therapist
Poppy's Therapeutic Corner
01.2025 - 03.2025
SUD Counselor
The Recovery Center Of Ohio USA
02.2024 - 10.2024
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
A Ray Of Hope Counseling And Health Services
05.2023 - 11.2023
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Three Waters Recovery Center
02.2023 - 05.2023
Outpatient Case Manager
PATH Integrated Healthcare
08.2021 - 11.2022
Case Manager II
Community Link-Talbert House
01.2020 - 05.2020
ABA Therapist
Trumpet Behavioral Health
01.2019 - 02.2019
Chief Executive Officer
P.K. Spearman Enterprises, LLC
05.2015 - 04.2019
Teacher Assistant
The Fun Center
01.2012 - 06.2015
Masters of Education - Trauma Informed Education
Columbia College
Master of Science - Marriage And Family Therapy
Capella University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Phoenix
Associate of Arts - Psychology
University of Phoenix
High School Diploma -
Covington Adult Learning Center
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Walden University
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