UMFS is an unwavering champion for high-risk children and families, collaborating with communities to help them reach their full potential and Marie Thomas at Leland House is no exception. At UMFS we like to recognize all of our champions so we felt it was fitting to start off our employee spotlight blog series with Marie for National Social Work Month.
Marie Thomas, Program Director at Leland House in Centreville, VA, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Bachelors in Social Work and Certificate in Case Management from Indiana University, and her Master in Social Work from George Mason University. While completing her educational career she provided case management services to residents within the Indiana Public Housing Agency, facilitated Family Group Conferencing, and provided individual and group counseling to survivors of abuse while working with George Mason’s Sexual Assault Services. Marie has experience with a variety of mental health and behavioral diagnoses including depression, anxiety, ADHD, suicidal/homicidal ideation, substance use disorders, self-harm, victims of abuse, and other Serious Mental Health Disorders.
Marie began her work in the counseling field as a Child Care Specialist in a secured residential treatment facility located in Indianapolis, IN. After relocating to Virginia, she worked for several years as a home and community based counselor providing individual and family counseling, individual psychotherapy, and group counseling to youth and adults. From her role as a Community Based Counselor she was afforded the opportunity to develop her managerial skills as a Clinical Supervisor, Assistant Director, and eventually Program Manager of a regional community based crisis stabilization program for youth and adolescents. Marie is honored to be a part of the UMFS family, and she is extremely invested in providing stabilization services to youth and families to facilitate recovery, while working with the client’s extended support network to produce long-term change in the lives of children and adolescents.
In her free time Marie enjoys jogging or hiking with her two dogs, swimming, and anything that includes her beautiful, 1 year old baby girl, Arielle. In additional to her professional duties at Leland House, she assists her husband in running the family business. Marie and her husband, Johnnie Thomas, own and operate the Frenchmen Food Truck which is a blend of French techniques with Virginian/Southern flavors to create an exciting approach to street cuisine. The truck can be found at various locations in Northern Virginia, including business parks, wineries, breweries, special events, and school functions.
To see openings at Leland House, check out our careers page at https://www.umfs.org/careers/