Open to opportunities

Kathleen Coughlin

@kathleencoughlin

Sr Director Clinical Ops (25+ yrs exp) seeking a role with a behavioral health business with both domestic and international presence.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I am seeking a role that allows me to leverage my extensive experience in clinical operations and strategic planning, ideally within a forward-thinking organization that values innovation and quality in healthcare delivery.

I am a Senior Director of Clinical and Network Operations with over 25 years of experience in clinical program oversight and national provider network management. My career has been dedicated to optimizing processes and enhancing service delivery in the healthcare sector, particularly within virtual medical and behavioral health organizations. I have a proven track record of driving growth and innovation, ensuring that organizations meet the evolving needs of their clients.

Throughout my career, I have led clinical and quality operations focused on data-driven decision-making, which has allowed me to identify gaps in service delivery and improve the cost of care. My leadership roles have included overseeing large teams, managing provider networks, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. I am passionate about fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration, which I believe is essential for delivering high-quality care.

As a consultant, I have advised mental health practices on strategic growth and accreditation, helping them to optimize their clinical operations and expand their services. My expertise in program compliance and quality assurance has been instrumental in driving improvements in patient satisfaction and operational efficiency. I am committed to making a positive impact in the field of behavioral health and look forward to continuing to innovate and lead in this space.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Senior Manager, Clinical Services

Current

BetterHelp

Apr 2025 - Present (6 months)

• Post-acquisition leader driving integration of insurance-based telehealth therapy & psychiatry. Network of over 30,000 providers.
• Guide BetterHelp product design with clinical expertise, defining requirements for payer alignment. Build scalable clinical/operational workflows to boost efficiency & access.
• Partner cross-functionally to align initiatives & streamline processes.

Compliance Compliance Monitoring Compliance Reporting Telehealth Project Management Operations Management Strategic Planning KPI Tracking Insurance Industry Insurance

Sr Director of Clinical Services & QA

UpLift Health Technologies, Inc

Apr 2021 - Apr 2025 (4 years)

• UpLift (acquired by Teladoc Health / BetterHelp – April 30, 2025).
• Managed quality monitoring for the provider network of over 2,000 clinicians, including therapists, psychiatrists, PMHNPs.
• Achieved a reduction in therapy time to care to 1.2 days & psychiatry time to care to 3.4 days, while maintaining a 0.97% rematch rate, reflecting high-quality clinical matches.

Clinical Operations Quality Assurance Policy Development Compliance Risk Mitigation Clinical Documentation

Current

Senior Healthcare Consultant

Current

Kathleen Coughlin and Associates

Jul 2001 - Present (24 years 3 months)

• Advised on mental health best practices to support strategic growth, program development, accreditation readiness, and clinical innovation.
• Partnered with executive leadership to optimize clinical operations, ensure regulatory and payer compliance, expand provider networks, launch new behavioral health services, and scale insurance-based programs across pre- and post-acquisition phases.

Strategic Growth Clinical Operations Compliance Provider Network Expansion

Sr Consultant Quality Management

Florida Health Care Plans

Aug 2018 - May 2019 (9 months)

Developed a Quality Improvement plan for behavioral health HEDIS monitoring, enhancing service quality and collaborating with network providers. Performed site visits and chart reviews to identify performance gaps and drive data-driven improvements.

Quality Improvement Behavioral Health Services Data Analysis Performance Improvement Project Management

Behavioral Health Surveyor

The Joint Commission

Apr 2018 - Aug 2018 (4 months)

Completed comprehensive behavioral health surveyor training and conducted on-site surveys to evaluate clinical compliance standards for inpatient and outpatient programs. Prepared detailed reports on deficiencies and recommended corrective actions to improve care delivery.

Behavioral Health Surveying Systems Analysis Report Preparation Accreditation Standards Accreditation Planning

Academy Program Director

Communities in Schools

May 2004 - Oct 2006 (2 years 5 months)

Directed the Academy Program for Alternative Education at the high school and middle school levels. Managed program operations and student support initiatives.

Program Management Student Support Initiatives Educational Leadership

LCSW, School Health, Psychiatric ER

Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network

Jan 2003 - Jun 2006 (3 years 5 months)

Served as a Licensed Social Worker, specializing in School Health and Psychiatric Emergency Room Evaluations. Provided critical social work services in a hospital setting.

Social Worker Psychiatric Emergencies Crisis Intervention Emergency Room Consultation