Avril Lindsay Dennis
Avril Lindsay Dennis, LCSW-QS(FL), CGP®, LCSW-R (NY), 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 & providing mental health support for those in twelve-step programs.
Currently licensed & practicing in New York & 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—& that there is no "one size fits all" solution. She is guided by the social work principle of people helping people & fostering important connections.
Over her career, Avril has specialized in treating & supervising the care of children & adolescents with trauma & psychiatric illnesses within child welfare, juvenile justice, & mental health settings. She has served in various roles, including direct support professional, case manager, & therapist, before moving into operations, program administration, & quality & risk management.
Additionally, Avril provides consulting services to programs seeking to streamline operations, policies, & overall services within child welfare systems. She has spearheaded program startups & licensing transitions, with a focus on exceeding accreditation & policy requirements. Her expertise includes leading teams through Council on Accreditation & Joint Commission accreditation cycles, demonstrating her deep knowledge of standards & 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 & oversight organizations. She has been a COA peer reviewer and team leader since 2012. Her collaborations include publications & presentations on creative treatment options for youth, such as teaching a course on community care for NGOs in Baghdad, Iraq, & a specialization in animal-assisted therapies. She has collaborated with two service dog organizations over the years, taught & presented on the topic & trained & worked with several of her own therapy dogs. She and her current therapy dog, Eli, continue to volunteer in various programs.
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 & dogs, relaxing at home, camping, visiting the beach, sewing & crafting. She works to find gratitude for every moment life presents.