career profile

 

highly-trained marriage and family therapy intern who helps families deal with relationship and behavioral issues. take a holistic approach to treatment in the desire to secure a long-term solution to mental and emotional disorders and a wide variety of relationship issues. well-able to examine context of relationships, and offer treatment not only centered on the individual, but on everyone who has a relationship with the individual. seeks to modify perceptions and behavior, as well as improve communication among families in crisis. counsel couples considering divorce, families facing severe mental illness, domestic abuse victims and offenders.

 

marriage & family therapy (mft) / emotionally focused therapy (eft) / narrative therapy

counseling / community care / social, emotional, and mental therapies

database management / social service / counseling / case management / treatment plans

education

san diego state university, san diego, ca

master of science in counseling c marriage and family therapy, 05/2010

 

university of massachusetts, amherst, ma

bachelor of arts in psychology, 2002

professional experience

first avenue counseling center, san diego, ca

mft trainee, 09/2008 c 06/2010

mastered the delivery of emotionally focused therapy (eft), narrative therapy, and awareness practices to individuals, children, couples, and families.  offered marriage and family therapy for couples wishing to solve emotional conflicts with the goal to modify people's perceptions and behavior, improve communication, and prevent individual and family crises. counseled individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational, vocational, or relational situations.

• certified in domestic violence group facilitation; 50+ hours of training and 2 years of experience.
• identified cases involving domestic abuse or other family problems affecting individuals' development.
• prepared high school students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks; provided crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.

 

children s happiness and integrity project, san diego, ca

mft trainee, 09/2009 c 06/2010

counseled elementary school children in individual and group sessions to assist them in dealing with mental and emotional illness, positive peer relationships, constructive problem solving strategies, social skills, and conflict-resolution techniques.

• interviewed clients, reviewed records, conducted assessments, and conferred with parents and other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of students/clients.
• encouraged clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, and help them to develop insight into themselves and their relationships using strategic and narrative interventions.
• counseled clients and patients, individually and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes motivational interviewing techniques.

 

center for community counseling, san diego, ca

mft trainee, 01/2008 c 09/2008

guided couples and individuals in a low socio-economic neighborhood in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems. develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.

• prepared and maintained all required treatment records and reports.
• evaluate clients' physical or mental condition based on review of client information.

 

st. vincent de paul homeless shelter, san diego, ca

after-school teacher, 00/2005 c 00/2007

conferred with homeless teens to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed. prepared and maintain records and case files, including documentation such as clients' personal and eligibility information.

• supported children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.

 

franciscan hospital for children, brighton, ma

mental health specialist/supervisor, 00/2004 c 00/2005

directed the professional success of mental health professionals to competently respond and analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.