Beth Daniels
Philadelphia
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience in organizing and managing internship and practicum programs to enhance student career development. Proven ability to train and mentor students, ensuring mastery of clinical skills with an emphasis on assessment, diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. Committed to utilizing evidence-based practices and cognitive-behavioral techniques to promote patient well-being. Recognized for fostering strong therapeutic relationships and maintaining a compassionate approach to care, contributing to positive outcomes in diverse clinical settings.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Internship Program Coordinator
Federal Detention Center
08.2021 - Current
- Responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring, and coordination of the Psychology Internship & Practicum Programs.
- Responsible for the recruitment and selection of candidates for the internship and practicum programs.
- Provides clinical supervision for interns and serves as a mentor in interns professional development
- Provides individual therapy and crisis intervention to incarcerated individuals
- Completes suicide watch and psychological observation contacts, and completes intake screenings for incarcerated individuals.
- Covers psychology 'on-call' responsibilities monthly.
- Provide ongoing training to staff on topics including Suicide Prevention, Trauma-Informed Care, Managing Mental Illness, Employee Assistance Programs, and Self-Care.
Adjunct Professor
Drexel University
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Developed and delivered engaging course content for undergraduate students.
- Facilitated classroom discussions to enhance critical thinking and collaborative learning.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
- Collaborated with faculty to design curriculum aligned with educational goals.
Advanced Care Level Psychologist
Federal Detention Center
11.2012 - 08.2021
- Serves as the Program Administrator for the mental health unit, which houses the most severely mental ill inmates in the facility. Collaborating with Chief Psychologist to implement formal RISE program protocols
- Coordinates local practicum training program for pre-doctoral psychology students, assists candidates by providing information, provides clinical supervision, and mentors students with regard to professional and correctional development
- Collaborates with the Chief Psychologist to recruit, interview, and select practicum program participants.
- Develops and implements practicum training curriculum, supervises students, evaluates their progress, and provides feedback to the students and their universities. Training curriculum includes major rotations including general mental health, severe mental illness, trauma and female offenders, drug abuse programs, and restrictive housing
- Compliant with all standards and guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA) and Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
- Coordinates with cost center manger to track monthly expenditures related to purchases for the mental health unit, ensuring funds are utilized appropriately and within budget
- Provides highly skilled professional services to a wide-range of inmates with both chronic and acute mental health concerns including psychosis, mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse and dependence disorders, and situational crises
- Conducts group and individual therapy using innovative treatment techniques based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles
- Administers, scores, and interprets a wide range of personality inventories to aid in treatment planning and interdisciplinary classification of inmates based on their behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and mental health/substance abuse treatment needs
- Evaluates inmates at risk for suicide, completes clinical reports and develops and implements treatment plans to prevent suicide
- Monitors inmates on suicide watch and provides advice, opinions and knowledge to staff at the local and regional levels regarding high-risk and complex cases
- Coordinate interdisciplinary team meetings with Psychology, Health services, Unit Team, and Correctional Services staff to discuss medication needs, and appropriateness for transfers to Medical Referral Centers
- Serves as resource person to BOP staff and administrators including providing assessments and referrals within the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Provides training to staff on mental illness, suicide prevention, Prison Rape Elimination Act, and Employee Assistance Program services available to staff during Introduction to Correctional Techniques (ICT) and Annual Refresher Training
- Considers and assigns appropriate mental health care level of inmates after intake screenings, suicide risk assessments, and suicide watches
- Participates in SHU meetings and other conferences with Custody, Unit Team, and Health Services staff in order to keep abreast of daily issues related to inmates with mental illness; disseminate information to enhance the management of inmates with mental illness; and highlight the likelihood of potentially disruptive situations due to inmates' mental decompensation
- Assists in the scheduling for the tele-psychiatric Clinic to include identification of inmates to be evaluated and treated and communicates with the tele-psychiatrist in order to update and confer about inmates maintained on psychotropic medications.
- Conducts rounds in the Special Housing Unit and Quarantine Unit to monitor any mentally ill inmates who require their services
- Acts as the Chief Psychologist approximately 16 hours a month and attends Department Head Meetings, SHU meetings, and meeting with Warden and Custody staff to discuss the management of mentally ill inmates
- Interviews, selects, and provides training and supervision to inmate suicide watch companions and mental health companions
Staff Psychologist
Federal Detention Center
10.2009 - 11.2012
- Provided individual therapy to mentally ill inmates
- Completed suicide risk assessments, managed, and provided treatment to chronically suicidal inmates
- Assessed inmates reporting sexual abuse
- Assessed the treatment and management needs of Transgendered inmates
- Provided supervision of practicum students
- Assessed, identified, and referred patients for various treatments including substance abuse treatment, and group therapy
- Conducted various psychological screenings including intake screenings, and Psych Alert screenings
- Provided consultation to Executive Staff, Correctional Services staff, and multidisciplinary teams regarding the management of mentally ill and disruptive inmates
- Implemented interventions with disruptive inmates
- Conducted Confrontation Avoidance and Restraint Reviews as needed
- Consulted with multi-disciplinary teams regarding the need for involuntary medication for severely mentally ill inmates
- Assisted in the development of training techniques and provide training to staff on suicide prevention, mental illness, working with female offenders, sexual abuse prevention, and managing inmates who engage in sexually inappropriate behaviors
- Performed administrative duties as needed including acting for the Chief Psychologist, attending department head meetings and SHU meetings
- Conducted employee panel interviews
- Handled psychological emergencies as the on-call psychologist during off-duty hours
- Provided assessment, brief counseling, and referral services to staff through the Employee Assistance Program
- Participated in threat assessments teams as needed
- Responded to crises including suicide attempts and provide assessment management and treatment of inmates after they attempt suicide
Psychologist
South Woods State Prison
07.2005 - 10.2009
- Managed a caseload and conducted weekly individual therapy with mentally ill inmates with Mood Disorders, Thought Disorders, Co-Occurring Disorders, Personality Disorders, and Dually Diagnosed inmates housed on the mental health unit
- Provided group therapy for depression utilizing cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, and psycho-educational techniques
- Provided group therapy with severely mentally ill inmates that were paranoid and reclusive utilizing behavioral and psycho-educational techniques
- Completed psychological assessments of inmates for the purpose of cognitive and personality functioning, potential malingering, and violence risk potential
- Conducted suicide risk assessments and provided treatment and management of imminently and chronically suicidal inmates and inmates who engaged in self-injurious behavior
- Developed client specific treatment plans with measurable and objective goals
- Provided training for Correctional staff on suicide prevention and management of mentally ill inmates
- Consulted with staff regarding the management of disruptive and/or mentally ill inmates
- Provided coverage for clinical supervisor performing administrative duties as needed
- 40 hours a week
Psychologist
Rowan University’s Child & Family Assessment Clinic
09.2005 - 10.2006
- Conducted court-ordered custody evaluations with children involved with the Department of Youth & Family Services. Assessment techniques utilized included cognitive tests (WAIS, WISC, WASI), Personality Tests (PAI), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder scales, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Child Behavior Checklist
- Conducted court-ordered evaluations of parents involved with the Department of Youth & Family Services. Testing techniques utilized included Personality and Cognitive assessment techniques
Group Therapist
CareLink
06.2004 - 09.2006
- Facilitated a weekly psychotherapy group for adult sex offenders mandated to parole supervision for life utilizing psycho-educational, cognitive-behavioral, and behavioral techniques
- 2 hours a week
Intern
The Keystone Center
07.2004 - 06.2005
- Conducted individual therapy with clients with substance abuse and mood disorders
- Conducted individual, group and family therapy with adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders utilizing cognitive-behavioral, psycho-educational, and behavioral techniques
- Conducted psychological assessments of adolescents utilizing cognitive and personality assessment techniques
- Facilitated group therapy with dually diagnosed inmates utilizing psycho-educational, cognitive-behavioral, and behavioral interventions
- Completed individual treatments plans with objective and measurable goals
- Provided supervision of interns and practicum students who conducted psychological assessments and individual and group therapy
- Provided consultation to staff regarding the management and treatment of dually diagnosed clients
- Participated in multi-disciplinary treatment team meetings
- Identified and referred clients for treatment interventions including psychotropic medication and family therapy
- APA Accredited Internship
Intern
Department of Services for Children Youth & their Families
07.2003 - 07.2004
- Conducted psychological assessments of juvenile offenders
- APA Accredited Internship
- 40 hours a week
Doctoral Practicum Student
J.J.Peters Institute
09.2002 - 05.2003
- Conducted cognitive and personality assessments of juvenile and adult sex offenders
- Conducted individual therapy with adult sex offenders utilizing various treatment interventions including behavioral, cognitive-behavioral and psycho-educational techniques
- Facilitated group psychotherapy with adult sex offenders utilizing behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and psycho-educational techniques
- Completed intake assessments of adolescents and adults with past sexual offenses and referred them to individual and group therapy as appropriate
Doctoral Practicum Student
Girard Medical Center
09.2001 - 05.2002
- Conducted individual and group therapy with chronically severely mentally ill patients
Doctoral Practicum Student
Enable Academic Center, Widener University
09.2000 - 05.2001
- Completed psychological evaluations of college students with learning disabilities
- Met with college students for individual therapy
Education
Psy.D. - Clinical Psychology
Widener University
Chester, PA01.2005
M.A. - Forensic Psychology
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
New York, New York01.2000
B.A. - Psychology
Widener University
Chester, PA01.1998
Skills
- Educational program development
- Active student participation
- Effective training facilitation
- Crisis intervention
- Psychological assessment and diagnosis
- Program coordination
Accomplishments
Created, developed and implemented the Federal Detention Center's Internship Program which achieved accreditation by the American Psychological Association in August 2025
Certification
Psychologist, Pennsylvania License #PSO16660
Timeline
Adjunct Professor
Drexel University
01.2023 - 05.2023
Internship Program Coordinator
Federal Detention Center
08.2021 - Current
Advanced Care Level Psychologist
Federal Detention Center
11.2012 - 08.2021
Staff Psychologist
Federal Detention Center
10.2009 - 11.2012
Psychologist
Rowan University’s Child & Family Assessment Clinic
09.2005 - 10.2006
Psychologist
South Woods State Prison
07.2005 - 10.2009
Intern
The Keystone Center
07.2004 - 06.2005
Group Therapist
CareLink
06.2004 - 09.2006
Intern
Department of Services for Children Youth & their Families
07.2003 - 07.2004
Doctoral Practicum Student
J.J.Peters Institute
09.2002 - 05.2003
Doctoral Practicum Student
Girard Medical Center
09.2001 - 05.2002
Doctoral Practicum Student
Enable Academic Center, Widener University
09.2000 - 05.2001
M.A. - Forensic Psychology
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
B.A. - Psychology
Widener University
Psy.D. - Clinical Psychology
Widener University
COLLATERAL DUTIES
- Crisis Support Team Leader 2015-2024
- Federal Women’s Program Manager, 2014-2023
CONTINUING EDUCATION OBTAINED
- Lessons Learned from Inmate Suicides
- Training for EAP Counselors
- Men in Therapy: The Conflict between Gender, Cultural Expectations, and Search for Psychological Wellness in the Correctional Setting
- Safety Plans: Extending Suicide Prevention beyond the Therapeutic Contact
- Introduction to the MMPI-3
- Competency-Based Clinical Supervision: Foundational Principles and Practices
- Doing the Right Thing: Essential Ethics in Practice
- Pennsylvania Mandatory Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting
- Youth Suicide
- Board Certification for Public Service Psychologists
- Stress, Opioids, and Suicide: Before and Since COVID-19
- Addiction and Opioid Use Disorder Treatment: The Basics
- Addiction in LGBTQ Communities and Crystal Methamphetamine Use Among Gay Men
- Suicide Watch: An Opportunity for Treatment
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Mental Health in Prison: From Challenges to Affirmative Care
- 2022 APPIC Membership Conference
- Group Therapy with an Incarcerated Population
- Staff Suicide Prevention
- Diagnosing Substance Use Disorders: Ethics and Practice
- Sex Offender Civil Commitment and Treatment
- When Training Goes Wrong
- Clearing the Data Hurdle: Leveraging Internship Evaluations for Successful Accreditation Outcomes
- Training Your Interns in APA’s Profession Wide Competencies
- Advertising To Recruit Diverse Interns
- Supervision of Supervision in a Competency-Based Frame: Leadership and Structure
- Community Treatment Services: Reducing Recidivism through Practice
- Assessment & Group Treatment for Battered Women In Prison
- Human Trafficking: Intersection with domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
- APPIC New Training Director Workshop
- Transforming Training: Things Gotta Change Around Here
- A Thoughtful approach to Telesupervision: Opportunities to Engage in Quality Training
- Trainee Experiences of Diversity Considerations within Supervision
- Culturally Minded and Competency Based: Strategies for Provision of Clinically Competent Supervision
- Data-Informed Diversity Practices and Social Responsiveness within a VA Training Program
- APPIC Match & Post-doc Updates
- Anti-Racism Symposium
- Essential Self-Care Practices for Psychologists in Challenging Environments
- Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors and Clinical Perspectives
- Trauma and Healing: Providing Safety and Care for LGBTQI People in Prison
- Trauma Treatment & Evaluation: Recent Developments and Cultural Considerations
- Risk Management from an Ethical Perspective
- Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect
- Ethics in Sex Offender Programs Work
- Resilience for Trauma-Informed Professionals
- Seeking Safety
- Trauma Informed Leadership
- Caring Justice
- Non-SOP Clinical Work with Individuals with Sex Offenses
- Integrated Treatment
- Board Certification in Clinical Psychology
- Continuity of Care: Considerations for Releasing Inmates with Advanced Care Needs