PHONE (214) 693-8411 • E-MAIL JEOBRIEN@EMAIL.UNC.EDU
JENNIFER O’BRIEN, LCSW
EDUCATION
NC LICENSE NUMBER: C008198
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD)
Mentor/Advisor- Rebecca Macy, PhD
August 2012 – Present
Smith College
Master of Social Work (MSW)
August 2010
Thesis: Body Image and adolescent male sexual perpetrators: The link and treatment implications
Advisor- David Burton, PhD
Competitive Internship Abroad: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Sept 2009 – May 2010
The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Science: Advertising
Bachelor of Arts: Psychology
Concentration: Spanish
May 2006
Study Abroad: Bilbao, Spain
Spring 2004
EXPERIENCE
Mothers Overcoming Violence through Education and Empowerment (MOVE)
Research Assistant, UNC Chapel Hill (20 hrs/week)
Raleigh, NC
September, 2012- Present
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Oversee data collection for group targeting women who had been victims (and perpetrators) of domestic violence in
order to evaluate program effectiveness
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Aided in data collection for group targeting children from domestically violent homes
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Completed all data input and management using SPSS, STATA and ATLAS TI
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Aided in data analysis, and subsequent dissemination
Securing Resources For Consumers (SRFC)
Outpatient Therapist (12 hrs/week)
Durham, NC
July, 2013 – March, 2014
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Individual and Family work with children, adolescents and adults including weekly sessions, assessments, and
psychiatric referrals.
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Provided trauma focused individual and family therapy for female and child victims of domestic violence using a TFCBT framework
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Advocacy work including I.E.P. development and disability claims for children suffering from diagnoses such as
Autism, Developmental delay, language Delay, and Learning Disorder NOS
Center for Human Development
Holyoke, MA
Team Coordinator and Outpatient Clinician (40 hrs/week)
February 2012 – July 2012
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Conducted intake interviews for individuals receiving treatment through the Department of Mental Health (DMH),
many of whom had legal histories including assault, arson, and theft
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Provided trauma and substance use focused individual therapy for DMH clients suffering from diagnoses such as
Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective D/O, Psychosis, and Bipolar D/O.
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Coordinated mental health services for DMH clients, including leading weekly team meetings with non-licensed
(BSW) employees
ServiceNet
Northampton, MA
September 2010 – July 2012
DBT and Outpatient Clinician (10 hrs/week)
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Individual and family work with adolescents participating in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program, including
phone coaching and family work as needed
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Co-leader in adolescent DBT skills group with average of 8 to 10 participants
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Outpatient work with adults suffering with primarily Axis II disorders, who had participated in adult DBT program in
past
River Valley Counseling Center
Women Seeking Safety Clinician (40 hrs/week)
Springfield, MA
February 2011 – February 2012
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Work on a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funded grant project specifically
targeting women with co-occurring substance abuse and trauma
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Provided trauma and substance use focused individual therapy with 40-60 women using Seeking Safety model,
including handouts and community outreach
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Collected data for grant including intake interview, 3 month follow up, and 6 month discharge for each woman in
order to fully track efficacy of Seeking Safety model
River Valley Counseling Center
Springfield, MA
Outpatient Clinician (40 hrs/week)
 Individual work with children ages 8-21, adults, and families
September 2010 – February 2011
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Development and completion of treatment goals specifically for individuals suffering from BiPolar D/O, PTSD,
Substance Use, Psychosis, and Axis II personality D/O
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Consistently kept caseload of 60-80 clients
Suan Dok Hospital
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Social Work Intern (22 hrs/week)
 Adult Inpatient and Outpatient groups, intakes, family, and individual therapy
September 2009 – May 2010
 Assist in DSM diagnosis for patients suffering from a wide range of Axis I and II disorders
 Conduct individual therapy with English speaking ex-patriots, including those from the UK, Australia, India, US, Canada
 Utilize Motivational Interviewing skills for those clients with substance abuse history and their families
 Development of culturally sensitive treatment goals for patients suffering from psychosis, depression, and BiPolar
disorder
 Complete an anti-racism project focusing on racism within a cross cultural context: Without a Country: Healthcare for Ethnic
Minorities in Thailand (Copy available upon request)
 Gave presentation for medical students and faculty regarding end of life practices in the United States Vs. Thailand
School for the Developmentally Delayed
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Social Work Intern (8 hrs/week)
 Government funded day program for non-verbal children with severe autism and PDD
September 2009 – May 2010
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Led group for children using sensory integration, movement, and art
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Teach youth (ages 8-23) basic hygiene, alternative communication, and life skills
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Observe family interactions and dynamics in order to assess for strengths and struggles
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Assist in teaching families of delayed patients methods to engage and provide basic learning tools at home
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Participate in family centered activities on the unit
Sheppard Enoch Pratt Mental Health Hospital Baltimore, MD
Social Work Intern (30 hrs/week)
 Adolescent inpatient groups, intakes, family, and individual therapy
September 2008 – April 2009
 Case management for 5 children living in the Mann Residential Treatment Program, including diagnosis within a
multidisciplinary team
 Development of treatment goals for patients suffering from Bipolar disorder, PTSD, depression, psychosis, ODD, MR,
autism, Borderline Personality Disorder, and mania
 Lead two therapeutic groups weekly for up to ten children on milieu
 Conduct long-term therapy with residents and their families in accordance with treatment plan goals and requirements
 Developed and led group for transition-aged teens focusing on discharge plans and life skills
 Additional training on cultural competency, home interventions, sand tray therapy, and strength-based techniques
The Settlement Home
Lead Clinical Houseparent (93hrs/week)
 Lived in facility 93 hrs/week
Austin, TX
June 2006 – April 2008
 Supervised the conduct of youth (ages 11-19) suffering from a variety of diagnoses including PDD, Fetal alcohol
syndrome, MR, Autism, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, psychosis, PTSD, OCD, ODD, and substance abuse
 Worked extensively with youth involved in legal system (probation), gang related activities, sexual perpetration, and
truancy
 Developed and utilized one to one counseling skills, group counseling skills, and family counseling skills, including
leading daily milieu group and weekly hygiene group
 Planned and led supervisory meetings for RTC staff weekly
 Trained to administer all psychotropic medications and insulin injections
GUEST LECTURES
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“Trauma within a Cultural Context”, for SOWO class: Trauma and Violence
“Cultural Competency” for Campbell Law School, Human Services Certificate Program
“Motivational Interviewing” for EBP and Social Justice Seminar
“The Three Ps: Poverty, Power, & Privilege”, for APPLES
“Trauma within a Cultural Context”, for SOWO class: Trauma and Violence
June 2014
March, 2014
March, 2014
January, 2014
June 2013
POSTERS
OBrien, J. & Ermantrout, D (2014) “I never knew which way he would swing:” Exploring the Characteristics
and Consequences of Substance Use Among Justice-Involved Intimate Partner Violence Survivors.
UNCG Innovations in Interpersonal Violence Prevention Research Group Annual Conference,
Greensboro, NC
OBrien, J. & Burton, D. (2012) Eating Disorders/Body Disapproval in Adjudicated Males Compared to
Adolescent Male Sexual Perpetrator. Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) Annual
Conference, Denver, CO.
PRESENTATIONS
Killian-Farrell, C., O’Brien, J., & Bledsoe, S. E. (2014, October). New beginnings: The role of neurobiology and
neurodevelopmental knowledge in social work research. Curriculum Workshop to be presented at the Council on
Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Tampa, FL.
O’Brien, J., Rizo, C. F., & Ziemba, N. (2014, October) Substance use among justice and/or CPS involved IPV survivors: A
qualitative study. Paper to be presented at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting,
Tampa, FL.
Bledsoe, S., Killian, C., OBrien, J. (Jan 16, 2013). Adapting Interpersonal Psychotherapy to Treat Perinatal Depression in LowIncome Adolescents: A Trauma Adapted Approach. Oral Paper, Society for Social Work Research Annual
Conference, San Antonio, Tx
Killian, C. & OBrien, J. (Nov. 1, 2013). A New Biopsychosocial Model: Incorporating Neurodevelopmental Concepts into Social Work
Education. Workshop, Council on Social Work Education 59th Annual Program Meeting, Dallas, TX.
OBrien, J., Brigham, R. (Chair), Wessel, J., & Bledsoe-Mansori, S.E. (Nov. 2, 2013). Incorporating International
Experiences in Graduate Social Work Education: From Speed Service Learning to International Field Placements. Think
Tank, Council on Social Work Education 59th Annual Program Meeting, Dallas, TX.
PUBLICATIONS
Killian, C., OBrien, J, & Bledsoe-Mansori, S.E. (in progress). A complex problem: Systematic review and meta-analysis
of interventions for adolescents coping with complex trauma. To be submitted to Journal of the American
Medical Association.
Killian, C., OBrien, J, & Bledsoe-Mansori, S.E. (in progress). Defining complex trauma: A systematic review of the
intervention research literature. To be submitted to Archives of General Psychiatry.
Ermantrout, D., O’Brien, J. & Debabnah, S. (in progress). Exploring the Characteristics and Consequences of Substance
Use Among Legally Involved IPV Survivors. To be submitted to the Journal of Family Violence.
O’Brien, J. & Macy, RJ. (2013) (revise and resubmit). Creating the capacity for change: A qualitative look at human
trafficking service provision. Clinical Social Work.
O’Brien, J. & Burton, D. (2011) Body Image and Adolescent Male Sexually Abusive Behaviors. Forensic Social
Work. 4(2) 114-125.
Burton, D. & O’Brien, J. (2011) Eating Disorders/Body Disapproval in Adjudicated Males Compared to Adolescent
Male Sexual Perpetrators. Journal of Sexual Aggression. 32(4) 225-240.
SKILLS/TRAINING
Dialectical Behavior Therapy- trained and licensed in accordance with MassHealth regulations
Seeking Safety- treatment model for co-occurring PTSD and Substance use, trained by creator Lisa Najavitis PhD
(2/2011)
CBT- Trained at Ellis Institute in Philadelphia (10/2010)
SPSS
ATLAS TI
STATA
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Volunteer work with “Save the Children UK” stopping human trafficking on the Burma/Thailand Border
Volunteer work providing health services and teaching English to Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala, India
Volunteer work reading to children suffering from cancer: Dell Children’s Hospital; Austin, TX
Volunteer work with abused children at the Helping Hand Home; Austin, TX
2009-2010
May 2008
2006-2008
2002-2004