Susan M. Self, MA, CCGC, CCW, LCSW, is VP of Telephonic Services for Provident. In this position she serves as Program Manager of Missouri’s problem gambling helpline (888-BETS-OFF) and Director of Life Crisis Services (LCS), one of the nation’s oldest crisis hotlines (314-647-HELP).
Ms. Self is a mental health professional with extensive background in agency and program management, crisis intervention, critical incident stress, HIV/AIDS, individual and group therapy, problem gambling, suicide intervention and teaching/training.
Ms. Self has 17 years experience working with clients in face-to-face and telephonic settings. Since May 2003, she has served as Director of LCS and substantially strengthened its positive impact. In addition to supervising a professional staff of 10 and nearly 80 volunteers that serve more than 28,000 callers in crisis per year, she trains 60+ volunteers in telephonic crisis intervention each year, including more than 50 graduate student interns from nine area universities. She also provides both basic and in-service training to police officers who serve on the area’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).
Ms. Self received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Webster University in St. Louis and her Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She has completed post-graduate study in Gestalt Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. Other qualifications include:
•   Certified Crisis Worker (American Association of Suicidology)
•   Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor (State of Missouri)
•   Certified HIV Counseling and Testing (State of Missouri)
•   Licensed Clinical Social Worker (State of Missouri)
Ms. Self has participated in six empirical research efforts including studies in pathological gambling, suicide and telephone-based therapy. Since 2002, she has consulted the Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, on clinical trials for medication to control compulsive gambling. She also has used her professional skills in various volunteer capacities, such as Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build and the National MS Society. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of St. Louis Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma, and was recognized as the CIT volunteer of the year in 2008.
