Avril Lindsay Dennis, LCSW, CGP®, QS, has been a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over twenty-five years. After earning her graduate degree from Fordham University, she pursued postgraduate training, including a certificate in Interpersonal Trauma. This became a passionate area of specialty for her, which also includes understanding the needs of individuals with substance use disorders and providing care for those in twelve-step programs.

Currently licensed and practicing in New York and Florida, Avril believes in a person-centered approach to treatment. She understands that life presents its challenges—such as divorce, caring for aging parents, medical issues, marriage, or raising teenagers—and that there is no "one size fits all" solution. She is guided by the social work principle of people helping people and fostering important connections.

Over her career, Avril has specialized in treating and supervising the care of children and adolescents with trauma and psychiatric illnesses within child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health settings. She has served in various roles, including direct support professional, case manager, and therapist, before moving into operations, program administration, and quality and risk management.

Additionally,Avril provides consulting services to programs seeking to streamline operations, policies, and overall services within child welfare systems. She has spearheaded program startups and licensing transitions, with a focus on exceeding accreditation and policy requirements. Her experience includes leading teams through Joint Commission accreditation cycles, demonstrating her deep knowledge of standards and her keen awareness of risk management. Avril is a Certified Praesidium Guardian, diligently working with agencies to prevent sexual abuse in those settings. 

Avril has also served on professional boards and oversight organizations. She has been a COA peer reviewer and team leader since 2012. Her collaborations include publications and presentations on creative treatment options for youth, such as teaching a course on community care for NGOs in Baghdad, Iraq, and specializing in animal-assisted therapies. In 2016, after a successful career in New York City, she relocated to Central Florida to continue her public service work.

In her spare time, Avril enjoys spending time with her spouse and dogs, relaxing at home, camping, visiting the beach, and crafting. She is grateful for every moment life presents.