David Helling, MSW
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David Helling is a senior clinician at Phoenix Programs, Inc. in Columbia, MO. He received his MSW in 2005.
Q. Can you describe your work history?
A. I have worked for Phoenix Programs, Inc. since December of 2005. I am senior clinician of two federally funded, long-term residential co-occurring treatment programs developed to assist individuals from being homeless to becoming responsible and productive members of our community. I also work as an adjunct instructor at Columbia College with their Human Services/Criminal Justice Department and I am an active volunteer with the Missouri Department of Corrections facilitating an Alternative to Violence program.
Q. What are the typical opportunities you provide to student interns?
A. Working with adult males who have co-occurring mental disorder(s) and substance dependency, as well as meeting the Department of Mental Health's definition of being homeless. Students gain the experience of facilitating educational groups, writing treatment plans and progress notes, assisting with medication management, and observing psychiatric interventions. Students have the opportunity to learn Therapeutic Community as a modality of treatment with some behavior modification and cognitive reframing. Students are introduced to a variety of community resources, as well as other Phoenix Programs operations (i.e., our social detox setting, our residential treatment, our continuing care on an out-patient program, working with adolescents and our Assertive Community Treatment program and other outlying residential recovery homes.
Q. What has been the most rewarding aspects of your field instructor/volunteer work so far with MU School of Social Work?
A. Observing the dedication, enthusiasm and the determination of students who simply want to make a difference in the lives of others reminds me of why I wanted to become a social worker; especially on those long days. Students also refresh me on the basics of theory, model and method of social work practice.
Thanks for taking the time to talk about your experiences with us, David.
If you have any other questions for David, you may contact him at dhelling@phoenixprogramsinc.org.
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