Venita N. Qualls, Psychotherapist
PhD Candidate, M.M., M.Ed., LMHC, LADC1, CADC
Therapy for Individuals, Couples, & Families
ABOUT VENITA QUALLS
Venita is a seasoned licensed mental health and licensed addiction clinician with many years of counseling experience. Venita specialty is treating trauma due to ACEs-Adverse Childhood Experiences, Substance Use and Mental Health counseling working with individuals, families and couples who are suffering from Addiction, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety and other disorders. Venita maintains a group practice in the state of Massachusetts.
With over 40 years of human services experience, Venita has worked with other mental health agencies, as well as, working for the Massachusetts Probation Department. She is a graduate of Cambridge College specializing in Mental Health, Addiction and Trauma. Venita works with a broad spectrum of clients to help assist them in their healing process.
Venita is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates complementary holistic methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
Education
Doctorate & Ph.D Student in Integrative Medicine
Quantum University, Hawaii
Master of Education in Mental Health and Addiction
Cambridge College, Cambridge, MA
Master of Management
Cambridge College, Cambridge, MA
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Paralegal Option
University of Massachusetts-Lowell Campus, Lowell, MA
LICENSES
- State of Massachusetts Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- State of Massachusetts Licensed Addiction Counselor
- State of Massachusetts Licensed Cosmetologist
- State of Massachusetts Licensed Esthetician
CERTIFICATIONS/TRAININGS
- International John Maxwell Team Certified Speaker, Coach, Trainer & Behavior Assessor
- Brainspotting Therapist Phase 1,2,3 Masterclass
- Certified Anger Management Specialist
- Certified Domestic Violence Specialist
- IFS-Internal Family Systems Level 1&2
- EMDR Trained Therapist Part 1&2
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Emotional Intelligence Coach
- Positive Intelligence Coach
- Energy Medicine Healer
- Sound Bowl Healer
- Enneagram Coach
- Usui Reiki Master
MEMBERSHIPS
- MaMhca – President-Elect of the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselor’s Association
- National Anger Management Association
- Massachusetts Women of Color Network
EXPERIENCE
Psychotherapist
CEO/Owner of Soulful Essentials, Inc.
Fall River, MA 02721
EXPERIENCE
Psychotherapist
CEO/Owner of Soulful Essentials, Inc.
Fall River, MA 02721
- Experienced holistic clinician providing therapeutic services to individuals, couples, and families
- Provide clinical supervision to counselors and conduct chart reviews, clinical support to improve counselor’s skills and provide insight and advice to complex case issues
- Experience in conducting staff training and creating group curriculum. Provide support to ensure appropriate aftercare and discharge planning
- Skilled in finding and identifying the root problem, and developing measurable and objective treatment plans with the intent to reduce client’s mental health symptoms
- Conduct intake and diagnostic comprehensive assessments. Using Phq-9 for Depression, GAD-7 for Anxiety, Mood Disorder for assessing Mania, Suicide Assessments,
Life Events and PTSD assessments
- Monitor and document client’s progress and adjust treatment plan according to client’s progress and needs. Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, and help them develop insight into themselves and their relationships
- Apply therapeutic skills & interventions, such as, Brainspotting, EMDR, & IFS to help
address mental symptoms
- Conduct substance abuse evaluations and counseling services
- Implement behavior interventions that assist clients with developing positive coping and life skills that can assist in enhancing their daily functioning
Educational Consultant for BACE Program
Black Addiction Counselor Educator
Adcare Educational Institute - Boston, MA 02114
- Teach mental health and substance use curriculum and provides educational programing to
participants for proper class objectives using adult learning methods
- Assist in writing educational curriculum, Establish, maintain, mentor, and develop educational
relationships to support attendance and program completion.
- Provide and assist with any data collection needed for the purpose of evaluating the program
effectiveness. Monitor, track and prepare statistics for program. Prepare and submit weekly
reports
Substance Use Clinician/Group Facilitator
Old Colony YMCA/Bristol County Community Corrections Dept.
Taunton, MA 02780
- Group facilitator to men and women involved with the criminal justice system
- Provide programming services to help clients work on gaining self-insight so they can
work on reducing recidivism, and decrease/eliminate drug and alcohol use
- Educate on topics that include, but are not limited to: The biopsychosocial of Mental
Health and Addiction, Concepts of the 12 Steps, The Stages of Change, The Stages of
Grief, Relapse Prevention, HIV and other health matters. Education on the effects of
alcohol and drugs on the mental and physical well-being of a person
- Make referrals to other community agencies and resources for coordination of care
Substance Use Clinician/Group Facilitator
Community Substance Abuse Centers-CSAC
New Bedford, MA 02740
- Group facilitator on mental health, substance use, and health issues
- Provide counseling, education, and case management to chemically dependent patients
- Conduct assessment and evaluation interviews for service eligible determination
- Conducts biopsychosocial evaluations, treatment plans, and quarterly reviews
- Develop aftercare and discharge plans
Substance Use Clinician/Group Facilitator
Pine Street Inn – Men’s CSS Unit
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
- Group facilitator for SOAP program for 50 men in Stabilization Unit
- Educate on topics that include, but are not limited to: The Disease Concept of Addiction,
Concepts of the 12 Steps, Opioid overdose education, HIV/Viral Hepatitis education,
relapse prevention, and educate on the effects of alcohol and drugs on the mental and
physical well-being of a person, referrals to health care and behavioral health facilities,
recovery resources to other social service agencies
Clinical Case Manager
High Point Treatment Center – Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Plymouth, MA 02360
- Group facilitator. Educate on topics that include, but are not limited to: Disease
Concept of Addiction, Concepts of the 12 Steps, Opioid overdose education, HIV/Viral
- Hepatitis education, relapse prevention, and educate on the effects of alcohol and drugs on the mental and physical well-being of a person
- Conduct interviews and intakes of newly admitted patients. Perform crisis interventions and participate in treatment team meetings
- Conduct bio-psychosocial evaluations, treatments plans, referrals, and discharge planning
- Manage caseload by providing direct case management, that includes mental status assessments of new patients, individual counseling, groups, and complete progress notes
Clinical Stabilization Coordinator
Homestart, Inc.
Cambridge, MA 02138
- Provide Cambridge Directors with back-up coverage for Cambridge team, assisted
with administrative duties. Train and give leadership to stabilization team as team
leader
- Give clinical expertise and advocacy by providing supportive counseling skills to
persons with severe and persistent mental illness. Conduct home visits
- Assisted formerly homeless, and dual diagnosed adults to become independent and
successful by providing follow-up case management by implementing plans, and
behavioral interventions that assisted participants in learning new coping and life skills,
which enhanced their daily life functioning, such as, learning financial budgeting
- Conduct brief crisis counseling. Monitored mental health, and substance abuse
recovery plans by implementing, and creating Individual Service Plans by assessing
client’s risk needs and creating plans to contract for safety when needed
Case Manager
Lynn Shelter Association, Inc.
Lynn, MA 01902
- Provide clinical expertise by providing advocacy and supportive counseling skills to
Individuals with dual diagnosis, co-occurring disorders and persistent mental illness
- Give ongoing advocacy and supportive services to clients by assisting clients in learning
coping skills and life skills that can help to reduce recidivism, eviction and assist in
enhancing positive behaviors so that clients can become more self-sufficient
- Assist clients with housing search activities, and worked with each individual/family to
develop individual service plans, and treatment plans that included needs assessment,
objectives and plan of action. Conducted urine screens
- Maintain client records and HMIS data needed for case management, treatment review
and program evaluation. Scheduled and performed weekly groups as needed
Associate Probation Officer
Middlesex County Juvenile Court
Lowell, MA 01852
- Conduct investigations, prepares appropriate reports focused on the “why” of the
individual’s behavior, and is prepared to make recommendations based on these
investigations. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of
rehabilitation treatment plans and goals
Probation Case Specialist
Essex County Juvenile Court
Lawrence, MA 01841
- Provide administrative, casework and counseling, and carefully document facts and
testifies in court with respect to the probationer’s activities, behavior, and quality of
adjustment while under supervision
