Denise, LCSW-S has been provided counseling services in the community since 1998. She has worked in hospitals, hospice and home health, as well as a geriatric mental health facility. Her experience in the field of geriatric mental health has been her primary focus during this time and has led her to partnering with Russell Gainer in creating GainWel. Denise enjoys working with other professionals and families to improve the quality of life in the senior population.

Denise is a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association, facilitating a Caregiver Support group. She is also a member of the Dementia Friendly Advisory Counsel working to help educate the community about interacting with People suffering from Dementia. She also is enthusiastic about providing Supervision to LMSWs working towards their LCSW licensure.

In Clinical Social Work Supervision, the professional relationship is between two or more persons. The goal is to create a respectful, supportive and confidential environment that facilitates self-reflection and reflection on clinical practice. Supervision will utilize practice experience to encourage and utilize scientific inquiry (research) and research evidence to inform and develop practice. Some examples are article sharing, workshops, and case presentations.

Areas covered during supervision are outlined in the NASW’s Best Practice Standards in Social Work Supervision. Those Standards are: 1. Context in Supervision--Understanding Scope of Practice, Communities of Practice, Interdisciplinary Supervision, Cultural Awareness and Cross-cultural Supervision, Dual Supervision and Conflict Resolution 2. Conduct of Supervision—Confidentiality, Contracting for Supervision, Leadership and Role Mode, Competency, Supervisory Signing Off, Self-Care 3. Legal and Regulatory Issues—Liability, Regulations, Documentation, Other Legal Concerns 4. Ethical Issues--Ethical Decision-Making, Boundaries, Self-Disclosure, Attending to Safety, Alternative Practice 5. Technology--Distance Supervision, Risk Management

Clinical supervision empowers a LMSW to elevate their practice impact. As a clinical supervisor, I find it a privilege to help with the elevation process. I also value partnering with the supervisee to enhance their existing skills and knowledge. I bring over 30 years of social work experience to the clinical supervisory journey, having worked in a variety of clinical settings to include mental health, IDD, long term care, geriatrics, and palliative & hospice care. I am currently an Associate Professor at OLLU along with maintaining a small clinical practice specializing in supporting clients through chronic and terminal illness, trauma events, and complicated grief, with a specialty in working with the veteran and LGBT communities. I obtained my Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from Capella University (2019), Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Kansas (1996) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Colorado State University (1989). I also served in the US Army Reserve from 1989 – 1996.

Montreece is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with children, families, and individuals in various settings over the last 26 years to include juvenile probation, residential treatment, drug court, the child welfare system for over 16 years and most recently in an inpatient hospital setting working specifically in Women’s Services. Montreece’s volunteer experience includes work at the Rape Crisis Center, Uganda Children’s Ministry, Sunday School Ministry, Foster/Adopt Ministry and as a Prayer Facilitator. Montreece received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology at the University of Texas at San Antonio and her Master of Social Work Degree at Texas State University. She has worked extensively with individuals impacted by abuse, neglect, substance use, mental health, incarceration, and illness and is committed to helping others improve their quality of life. Montreece’s philosophy and approach focuses on empowering clients to utilize their strengths and experiences to work through their struggles. Montreece is excited about working with LMSWs in their journey to obtain their LCSW licensure.