Zion Perry-Hodges

I am a licensed clinical social worker with 15 years of experience in the mental health field. I have served in directorship and direct-care roles, serving diverse populations in the U.S. and abroad. I specialize in neurodivergence, trauma, addictions, and the LGBTQ+ population, and I have a passion for training the next generation of social workers to be change agents in our world. 

Professional Experience

Co-Founder, Psychotherapist

Embodied Therapy Collective - Virtual in TN, GA, and IL

October 2024 to Present

• Direct all clinical programming for practice specializing in neurodivergence, LGBTQ+ issues, & somatics

• Provide psychotherapy for individuals & partners utilizing integrative, narrative, ACT, and other evidence-based approaches

• Complete comprehensive assessments including biopsychosocials & crisis planning

• Formulate client-centered treatment plans & interventions according to client needs & NASW code of ethics

• Develop & engage in community workshops and events to advocate for social justice for LGBTQ+ and other  marginalized communities in east Tennessee and Southeast region

Director of Admissions 

Yellowbrick Consultation and Treatment Center - Chicago, IL

May 2023 to October 2024

• Directed and executed the clinical processes and administrative frameworks within the Assessment Center treating young adults with complex psychiatric and behavioral diagnoses

• Developed strategic clinical partnerships with top national psychiatric and behavioral hospitals and providers

• Conducted, synthesized, qualitative and quantitative clinical assessments and data to present to key stakeholders via written, scholarly report and oral conference

• Responded to and guided all inquiries into the clinical services across programs with expertise and empathy

• Ensured the integrity of the clinical experience as related to the assessment and admissions process for patients and families as well as the corresponding business, legal, research data, evaluation, referral, or admissions to treatment

• Conducted neurobiological-developmental-focused individual and group therapies

Key Achievements:

• Increased patient admissions across the two programs by 45% in under one year (2023-2024).

• Spear-headed inclusive organizational policy changes for minority patients and staff (2023-2024)

.• Developed and implemented therapeutic play-centered experiential group for young adults (2024).

Director of Operations & Speciality Programs

Weatherstone Collaborative - Remote, Contract

July 2022 to July 2023

• Developed new and expanded existing client-responsive eating disorder services

• Audited, developed, and directed inclusive, data-driven operational procedures, strategies, andsystems

• Wrote and oversaw state and federal grants and managed corresponding organizational budgets

• Collaborated with universities to engage in clinical research processes and develop internship programming

• Developed strategic partnerships with key local and national stakeholders to expand access to services

Key Achievements:

• Increased organizational referrals and organizational revenue by 300% in 6 months (2022-2023).

• Increased programmatic role acquisition and patients served by 65% in 9 months (2022-2023).

Director of Program Services 

McNabb Center Great Starts & Family Treatment - Knoxville, TN

May 2019 to July 2022

• Directed, developed, and expanded clinical inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment programs for pregnant and parenting persons serving over 100 families each year

• Supervised a team of over 25 staff including hiring, training, and ongoing clinical support across multiple teams

• Managed multi-million dollar state and federal grants and corresponding budgets

• Conducted qualitative and quantitative research to assess program effectiveness and ensure appropriate grant outcomes were achieved

• Presented data and findings to key local, state, and federal stakeholders

• Collaborated with community partners including juvenile court and child welfare systems to advocate for appropriate client care and ensure effective service delivery and communication

• Provided trauma-informed, family-centered clinical services to infants, children, families, and groups

Key Achievements:

• Exceeded all clinical program revenue and productivity goals for 44 out of 46 months (2019-2022).

• Received 97% programmatic satisfaction rate per anonymous client surveys for 3 consecutive years (2019-2022).

• Maintained the highest rate of programmatic retention and diversity across a 2,000+ person agency (2019-2022).

• Empowered 100+ families to gain sobriety within 1 year of starting treatment with a 60% maintenance rate 6 post-treatment (2019-2022).

Program Supervisor, Intervention Specialist

Youth Villages - Knoxville, TN

October 2015 to May 2019

• Supervised team of 5 staff that provided behavioral intervention and to children and youth in the child welfare system

• Provided behavioral intervention to youths, resource families, and biological families in the community and home

• Advocated for youth and families in local child welfare court systems via testimony or written report

• Provided trauma-informed, positive-parenting supervision of parent-child interactions and visits

• Provided on-call and crisis de-escalation support as needed

Advocate & Case Specialist

Arrow Child & Family - Austin, TX

November 2012 to September 2015

• Provided on-site independent living and behavioral support to pregnant and parenting women facing homelessness

• Provided behavioral intervention and support to infants, children, and youths placed in the child welfare system

• Advocated for families and youths in the local court systems to promote family reunification and stability

• Led individual and group sessions centered on independent living skills such as positive parenting,healthy lifestyles, budgeting, and relationships

• Provided on-call and crisis de-escalation support as needed

Certifications

• Theory of Change and Organizational Leadership

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

• Hazelden Substance Abuse Treatment Model

• Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)

Skills

• Bilingual English/Spanish

• Nonprofit and For-Profit leadership

• Advocacy and Community Action

• Program Development and Directorship

• Individual, Couples, Group, Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychotherapies

• Strategic Planning

• Grant Writing and Management 

Masters of Science in Social Work, University of Tennessee (2019)