Coaching Credentials:
What Are My Coaching Qualifications?
Hire me because you like my philosophy, my spirit and are searching for new directions in your life. Perhaps you wonder, “Why should I trust her?” I want you to find me ethical and credible, thus I’ll give you a little of my history and even a few pictures. Read my Vitae, my life’s work in six pages. Browse my testimonials to see what my clients say. I must also add, life coaching is an unlicensed field. Be wary; hire the best.
As a licensed psychologist for over 25 years, I’ve thought of myself as a healer. My goal was to help people feel better, live more effective lives. I was a helper before I was a psychologist, so I found a great career fit for my nature, much better than the attorney I almost became. But helping people to live better, return to normal functioning, isn’t the same as fulfilling potentials. Now, as a life coach, I want to take you beyond average, beyond normal, to be your absolute best. That’s why I am so excited about this coaching process.
Here’s an informal BIO:
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a history major. My career started as a social studies teacher. Teaching has been a constant, meaningful theme in my life. Then I became an admissions counselor at the University of Colorado while I received my Master’s degree in counseling. I missed working with adolescents and became a junior high and high school counselor. From there I wanted to help families and received my Ed.D. degree in counseling psychology. After that I was an Asst. Professor of Psychology, had a private practice in psychology and worked with families, children, couples, groups, adults. I have competencies from ADHD assessments to hypnosis and probably worked with every clinical disorder diagnosable. I do feel I had the greatest success with people who suffered from severe anxiety. I loved seeing people live better. In Minneapolis, where I grew up and subsequently returned, I worked for eighteen years in the field of psychology. I taught, supervised psychologists and other mental health professionals, directed a behavioral health clinic and later a community mental health center. I’ve shown leadership in every position I’ve held, except for my first year of teaching where I had discipline problems and cried driving home. I held great visions for my students, clients, staffs and for behavioral health internationally. I worked in managed care, public and private sectors. I loved and needed my posh health club. Whew, done in one paragraph.
I think I just felt a power surge writing this, which is in part why I retired early, burned out. I continued to do behavioral health consulting, but mainly worked the stock market to support my Florida island lifestyle. Now the lifestyle is great, but being a stock trader is not my best career fit. Again, I am motivated to do something more meaningful with my life. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be doing coaching. This is no big surprise to my family and friends. Happiness happens when we use our best talents to do our best life’s work. I think there is a cheerleader of life talent that has followed me from high school. I love to inspire people, out of their depressions and now into their best selves.
Take a look at my photo album. I don’t wear business suits much anymore. I have simplified my lifestyle. I love to swim, kayak, fish, practice yoga, walk four miles daily, work in my yard and do anything to be outside. I particularly love my island book club and dear friends and family from the West Coast to New England, can’t forget Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska, who have encouraged me in so many endeavors and like to visit my beach.
Want to increase peace of mind, limit stress, increase flexibility, balance and strength? Learn meditation and yoga!
I am certified by the Chopra Center for Well-Being as a Yoga, Meditation and Perfect Health Instructor. I am also registered as a yoga teacher through the Yoga Alliance. I am available for group and private instruction for Primordial Sound Meditation and yoga. Yoga, the union of mind,body and spirit, is for all ages and body types. Aryuvedic diet and nutrition will improve your mind as well as body. I will tailor make interactional seminars for any audience.
  |
Now on to the serious Vitae, but feel free to opt out any time you are bored.
 |
|
EDUCATION
ED.D. University of Northern Colorado: Greeley, Colorado
Counseling Psychology 1979
M.A. University of Colorado: Boulder, Colorado Counseling 1971
B.S. University of Wisconsin: Madison, Wisconsin History and Education 1967
EXPERIENCE
JOAN DICKINSON CONSULTING 1998 to Present
Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Phoenix, AZ
Wrote guidelines for Mercer’s behavioral health management proposal for the State of Delaware; consulted with Mercer staff.
Prest and Associates, Madison, WI
Provided behavioral health care provider clinical reviews for independent utilization review company.
Health Partners Health Plan: Regions Hospital, St. Paul, MN
Completed a behavioral health assessment of crisis and inpatient services and resources: Examined utilization management data, JACHO compliance criteria, internal and external resources and facilities, interviewed personnel, observed clinical functioning and interfaces with other hospital departments. Made recommendations to increase the quality of patient care and cost effectiveness: decrease inappropriate hospital LOS, decrease in crisis and inpatient holding/waiting periods, decrease inappropriate hospital admissions, increase staff assessment/ clinical intervention competencies, make seamless transitions among medical departments and discharge facilities, create additional levels/facilities for internal and external care.
Allina Behavioral Health Services, Minneapolis, MN
Wrote Utilization Management Policies and Procedures for Allina Behavioral Health Services in compliance with NCQA guidelines and State of Minnesota insurance guidelines. Completed the State of Minnesota 62M application for Utilization Management Certification, necessary for a Medica Health Plan new behavioral health insurance product.
FIVE COUNTIES COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS Braham, MN
Executive Director, Interim 1998
Reorganized and managed five-site community mental health center during transition to Allina BHS. Developed and implemented strategic business and marketing plans with Allina and community stakeholders for Center Board. Provided executive leadership, clinical supervision, initiated performance and productivity standards, targeted CQI projects, such as improved coding for accurate insurance reimbursement, streamlined Center administrative structure, improved responsiveness to community stakeholders through improved communication and programs, measured and improved staff morale, hired new Executive Director. Result: Financial solvency and community support.
UNITED HEALTH CARE Minneapolis, MN 1990-1997
Director, Business Development for International Operations
Researched new international behavioral health/EAP business joint venture opportunities. Developed and integrated behavioral health quality and utilization management products into medical/disease management products such as CHF, diabetes, asthma. Consulted with international operations sites in Germany and South Africa to increase quality of care and cost effectiveness by incorporating behavioral health management strategies into medical management.
Director, United Behavioral Health – Minnetonka
Managed delivery of client and clinical services for multidisciplinary clinic and provider network, budgets, quality improvement, utilization review, customer relations and administrative and clinical supervision. Targeted and evaluated key initiatives set from patient/client satisfaction surveys, CQI and other QA processes. A result of one CQI project was the change of the clinic mission to an urgent care center. Patient appointment access increased: 95% of patients were seen within 48 hours from the request for service. Patient satisfaction, health plan client satisfaction and staff morale all increased as a result of more timely service; hospitalizations decreased. Functioned ¼ time as clinical psychologist and clinical supervisor.
Consultant, United Behavioral Systems – Corporate
Network Development: Interviewed Ann Arbor, MI providers and facilities for inclusion in UBS network.
CIGNA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (Metropolitan Clinics of Counseling: MCC) Minneapolis, MN 1984-1991
Clinical Supervisor and Senior Clinical Psychologist
Developed clinician psychotherapy and case/care management competencies at St. Paul, St. Louis Park, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville and Edina clinic sites. Chaired clinic advisory council and psychologist’s group. Issues examined included ethics of managed care, informed consent, diagnosis and treatment plans, and staff development. Provided psychological assessments, crisis intervention, group and individual treatment for adults, families, couples, adolescents and children.
Coordinator of Marketing and Professional Relations
Wrote MCC policies and procedures, implemented standards, quality assurance processes, created training videotapes and clinical practice guidelines. Obtained MN State Rule 29 status (license and standards governing private, fee for service behavioral health clinics) for the nine MCC multidisciplinary clinics in a six-month period of time. Developed fee for service marketing/ business plan. Wrote articles, press releases and brochures.
LICENSED CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGIST IN PRIVATE PRACTICE Edina, MN 1982-1984 and 1991-1991
Provided clinical licensure supervision for psychology candidates. Provided psychological assessment and treatment for adults, couples, families, adolescents and children.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR/ INSTRUCTOR Minneapolis, MN 1983
University of Minnesota
Developed curriculum and taught Counseling Methods for graduate counseling education students; two terms
Alfred Adler Institute
Developed curricula and taught Theories of Personality, Group Counseling for counseling graduate students; two terms
Normandale Community College
Developed curricula and taught General Psychology and Abnormal Personality; three terms
SCOTT COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES Shakopee, MN 1983-1984
Human Services Supervisor; Licensed Consulting Psychologist for MN Rule 29 licensed mental health center
Supervised family-based reunification service unit. Provided forensic psychological assessments and court testimony for County Attorney’s and Sheriff’s departments. Consulted with central intake, child protection, chemical dependency teams, County Attorney’s Office and St. Francis Hospital. Gave expert recommendations on pre-petition mental health/substance abuse commitment hearings. Provided direct clinical assessment and treatment for children, adolescents and adults.
WAYNE STATE COLLEGE Wayne, NE 1979-1982
Department Head and Assistant Professor of Graduate and Undergraduate Psychology And Counseling
Managed psychology and counseling programs, prepared budgets, wrote NCATE and North Central accreditation reviews, evaluated program effectiveness. Designed curricula and taught General psychology, Mental Hygiene, Group Dynamics, Fundamentals of Counseling, Abnormal Psychology, Individual and Group Assessment, Marriage and Family Counseling, Group Counseling, Practica and Internships . Served as department elected representative to the Graduate Council and Teaching/Learning Center. Received grants for marital enrichment programs and improvement of counselor competencies through videotape instruction.
FT. LUPTON HIGH SCHOOL Ft. Lupton, CO 1974-1975
High School Counselor
Created comprehensive guidance and counseling programs for ethnically/culturally diverse (Hispanic, Asian, Ranching) populations in a conflict-ridden school. Decreased migrant worker expulsions, increased attendance and teacher/student conflict resolutions.
NORTHWEST JUNIOR HIGH Northglenn, CO 1973-1974
Junior High Counselor
Participated in innovative school, based on the philosophy of shared decision-making among students, teachers, parents, and administration. Trained district personnel, facilitated communications workshops and taught teachers problem solving and communication models for individuals and classrooms. Led the Affective Education Committee; developed affective curricula. Counseled students.
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO Boulder, CO 1970-1973
Admissions Counselor
Created and led the first state wide on campus high school student visitation program, “Be a CU Student for a Day”. Trained University student volunteers as tour guides, class and program schedulers; enlisted faculty support. The result was an increase of in-state student applications and high school counselor support. Hosted dinners with Colorado business leaders and received funding for new in state scholarships. Established admissions criteria, worked with Deans of Schools and Colleges on recruitment admissions standards, interviewed prospective students on and off campus, made admission decisions.
Teaching/Graduate Assistant
Assisted Social Foundations of Education and Philosophy of Education Professors in
classes. Supervised student social studies teachers. Worked with Dean.
CARMODY JUNIOR HIGH Jefferson County, CO 1968-1970
Geography and Language Arts Teacher
Wrote proposal, received funding and implemented program for low-achieving, high-risk students. Developed curricula for a geography team teaching practice.
MAPLE AVENUE SCHOOL Sussex, WI 1967-1968
World History and English teacher
Taught grade eight students.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Dickinson, J.A. “The Impact of College Females’ Relationships with Their Fathers and Others Selected Variables on Their Relationships with Males” (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Northern Colorado). Dissertation Abstracts International, 1979
Wayne State College: Wayne, NE 1979-1982
- Alcohol Awareness Programs
- Assertiveness Training
- Time Management Presentations
- Family and Marriage Counseling Workshops
- Instructional Improvement Grant: “ The Effects of Videotape Instruction and Supervision on the Development of Counselor Competencies”, 1982
- Instructional Improvement Grant: “ The Impact of Marital Enrichment Programs on the Quality of Marital Relationships”, 1981
- Trained HERS volunteers
- Family Presentation on Parental Guidance vs. Permissiveness: “Who’s in Charge Here?”
- Family Change Dynamics: “So You’ve Upset the Family Applecart!”
Control Data Corporation: Bloomington, MN 1983
“ Ericksonian Treatment Strategies” for EAP training
American Business and Professional Women: Minneapolis, MN 1983
“Is Life Less Fair Than You Anticipated?”
Minneapolis Community College, Minneapolis, MN 1983
Singles Conference: “New Goals for the Career Woman”
Family Services of Greater St. Paul: St. Paul, MN 1983
“Anger, Hurt and Depression”
Bloomington Public Schools: Bloomington, MN 1983
Eden Prairie Public Schools: Eden Prairie, MN 1983
Wellness Presentations
MINNESOTA LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST: 1983 – Present
Competencies: Psychological assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, adults, families, couples; group therapy; hypnosis; testing; clinical supervision; teaching of psychology.