Yyyyyy x. yyyyyy

Mental Health Counselor

Outpatient Therapy ~ Adults ~ Families ~ Children ~ Positive Behavior Plans
Client Advocacy ~ Assessments & Treatment Planning ~ Record Keeping ~ Reporting

         Dedicated Clinical Staff Therapist offering well-developed skills in earning trust of clients, providing individual and group counseling, and referring individuals and families to appropriate community resources.

         Compassionate, creative, and possess an advanced understanding of family dynamics.

         Able to communicate effectively with healthcare providers and social service agencies to assist individuals in accessing available programs, services, and sources of assistance.

         Solid reputation for integrity and steadfast commitment to confidentiality.

         Well-versed in conducting mental health assessments, developing treatment/wellness plans, record-keeping, report writing, special education, behavior modification, and crisis intervention.

         Proven skills in empowering individuals from all backgrounds to improve their quality of life while achieving personal growth.

         Outstanding blend of public speaking, training, writing, teaching, mentoring, conflict resolution, and project management skills.

         Excellent competencies in CBT, client-centered, motivational interviewing, attachment theory, and family systems approach.

         Extensive experience interfacing with culturally, socially, and economically diverse populations and possess conversational skills in Spanish.

West Bergen Mental HealthCare, Ramsey, NJ, 2014 to Present

Therapist

         Provide quality outpatient services to clients presenting a broad range of issues such as anxiety, depression and ADHD, and successfully reduce client symptoms through innovative and expressive therapeutic approaches.

         Evaluate and decisively coordinate seamless intake and diagnostic process to expedite wait time for new clients.

         Exhibit excellent rapport-building skills and leverage motivational interviewing techniques and goal setting to engage mandated, involuntary, and resistant clients.

         Meticulously document client treatments and progress records to ensure consistent compliance with Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and other regulatory agencies.

Continued

Professional Experience continued Yyyyyy x. yyyyyy

Center for Children and Youth, West Bergen Mental Health Center, Ramsey, NJ, 2012 to 2013

Counseling Intern

         Administered group and individual counseling for issues spanning ADD, anxiety, depression, and communication difficulties to aid clients in achieving psychological well-being.

         Analyzed, designed, and implemented practical treatment plans encompassing therapies such as CBT, DBT, motivational, client-centered, and family systems approaches.

         Conducted comprehensive intake assessments for new clients according to DSM IV and V criteria.

         Maintained up-to-date clinical case files and prepared associated reports according to regulations.

Fair Lawn Public Schools, Department of Special Education, Fair Lawn, NJ, 2007 to 2016

Teacher Assistant / Paraprofessional

         Provided vital guidance and classroom assistance to students affected by ADD, autism, Asperger s, conduct disorders, and specific learning disabilities.

         Specialized in behavioral support and intervention, remediation of learning difficulties, and timely implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).

         Strategically joined forces with teachers, child study team members, parents, and school administrators to effectively address needs of students and optimize outcomes and academic success.

         Responded to crises as appropriate to maintain school and student safety.

Prior background includes roles as Communications Specialist & Project Manager with AT&T, New York.

Master of Science in Professional Counseling, Grand Canyon University

Bachelor of Arts in Political Affairs and English, State University of New York at Albany

New Jersey Licensed Associate Counselor #37AC00226000, (New York licensure pending)

Certified in Child Abuse Detection and Reporting

Training:

Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Client Centered and Motivational Interviewing,

Attachment Theory, Family Systems Approaches, Crisis Intervention Techniques

NEA, NJEA, American Counseling Association