MS. DONNA M. BALDWIN, LCSW
Social Work at Alexian Dr, San Jose, CA

County of Santa Clara Department of Alcohol and Drug Services
Psychiatric Social Worker II Santa Clara County Department of Social Services - San Jose, CA
Social Worker II-Continuing Worker

San Jose State University - San Jose, CA
MSW in Social Work San Jose State University - San Jose, CA
BS in Behavioral Sciences and Psychology-double major San Jose City College and Evergreen Valley College - San Jose, CA
AA in General Education

I have skills in working with substance using clients and dual-diagnosed persons. I provide counseling services using evidenced-based practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, trauma-informed treatment services, narrative therapy, Seeking Safety and many others. The skills I use are rapport building and motivational therapies such as motivational interviewing and motivational enhancement therapy. I am adaptable to individual client's needs and am able to work with them at the point that they are at in recovery, whether they are in the pre-contemplation stage of change or in the action phase of change. The way in which I am able to do therapy currently has some boundaries with respect to a County run system. However, I am fortunate to be able to work for a program that allows for individual skills to be utilized within those parameters. I therefore use engagement skills with clients where they are willing to be part of treatment by developing and focusing upon their goals, as well as teaching clients about how substances are interfering with their goals. This sounds easier than it really is and the process can be a slow and repetitious one, as anyone knows who works with this population knows. My skills have been developed from my educational base in a clinically focused program and over the years have been guided by research and evidenced based practices. Therefore, using an assessment tool that is ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) approved, and best practices of many known proponents of evidenced based practice, I have used substitution of using behavior with coping skills of Najavits, cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, play therapy, educational skill building, 12 step information, and grief therapy to reach clients, among many others, as the situation demanded. Additionally, I have made referrals for my clients to receive mental health services for a medication evaluation, . This means that skills are used as has seemed beneficial at the moment or in the planning of group sessions with substance-using clients.

Counseling

English