Sara J. Giles
Hillsborough
Summary
Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15+ years of clinical experience and 7+ years as a U.S. Navy Mental Health Officer, providing expert care in high-stakes, remote, and high-tempo operational environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Embedded Mental Health Provider & Director
United States Navy
Rota
09.2023 - 01.2026
- Delivered embedded mental health services to a population of more than 1,500 individuals, providing targeted clinical interventions in one of the Navy’s most demanding operational environments.
- Provided crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, diagnostic evaluation, and fitness-for-duty determinations, balancing individual clinical needs with mission, and safety considerations.
- Acted as a special consult to executive military leadership, advising on behavioral health trends, risk factors, morale concerns, and system-level recommendations to improve the command climate.
- Coordinated complex continuity of care across multidisciplinary systems, including medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), inpatient hospitalization, long-term residential treatment, psychiatric medication management, and pastoral care.
- Delivered secure tele-mental health services to sailors deployed at sea, utilizing encrypted video platforms to provide real-time assessment and intervention in high-risk situations.
- Expanded the Embedded Mental Health program, by launching four recurring treatment groups, significantly improving access to care in a resource-limited environment.
- Facilitated command-wide suicide prevention training, acute stress reaction briefings, and post-deployment reintegration training aboard guided missile destroyers.
- Advocated for early intervention, psychological safety, and humane leadership practices within high-pressure, hierarchical systems.
Fleet and Family Services Officer
United States Navy
Diego Garcia
07.2022 - 09.2023
- Served as the sole clinical therapist at one of the U.S. Navy’s most geographically remote duty stations, providing mental health care to a population of 4,000 service members.
- Delivered ongoing individual psychotherapy to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Royal Army, and Royal Marines personnel, including U.S. and U.K. Special Forces.
- Supported clients navigating extreme geographic isolation, prolonged family separation, operational stress, trauma-related symptoms, and cumulative burnout.
- Practiced with a high degree of clinical autonomy, conducting comprehensive assessments, and managing complex cases without on-site specialty support.
- Responded to acute psychiatric crises, and provided clinical recommendations regarding psychological suitability for continued assignment versus return stateside.
- Consulted with military leadership on risk management, morale, and early intervention strategies to prevent clinical deterioration in isolated environments.
Mental Health Provider / Divisional Officer
United States Navy
Lemoore
08.2019 - 07.2022
- One of three uniformed mental health providers supporting a population of 15,000+ service members, delivering high-volume, evidence-based behavioral health care.
- Provided individual and group psychotherapy, command consultation, and SPRINT psychiatric response missions to operational units.
- Addressed complex presentations including trauma, acute stress reactions, mood disorders, relational distress, and burnout.
- Operated in dual clinical and leadership roles, balancing direct care with operational and administrative oversight.
- Led daily clinic operations as Assistant Department Head, ensuring continuity and quality of care.
- Supervised and coordinated a multidisciplinary team of behavioral health technicians, civilian psychologists, and LCSW's.
- Revised clinical policies and SOPs to enhance efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance, including JCAHO inspection readiness.
Education
Master of Science - Clinical Social Work
University of Maryland At Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland07-2009
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia05-2008
Skills
- Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy
- Crisis Intervention & Suicide Risk Assessment
- Complex PTSD & Acute Stress Treatment
- Diagnostic Assessment & Clinical Formulation
- Individual & Group Therapy
- Moral Injury & Occupational Trauma
- Burnout, Isolation & Adjustment Disorders
- Program Development & Policy Revision
Accomplishments
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2022)
Certification
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - North Carolina (C008094)
Timeline
Embedded Mental Health Provider & Director
United States Navy
09.2023 - 01.2026
Fleet and Family Services Officer
United States Navy
07.2022 - 09.2023
Mental Health Provider / Divisional Officer
United States Navy
08.2019 - 07.2022
Master of Science - Clinical Social Work
University of Maryland At Baltimore
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
University of Georgia