Mental Health Support, Behavior Health Support

Professional Experience

HeartShare Human Services of New York

Brooklyn, New York

January 2013-present

Behavior Intervention Specialist 1 – Assess the clinical, psychiatric, and behavioral needs of adults with autism and other developmental disabilities in four residences and an autism-specific day habilitation program. Work with professional care providers to ensure each individual’s behavioral and psychiatric needs are met. Assess the function of behaviors and develop behavior intervention plans to address maladaptive behaviors. Provide supervision and guidance to support professionals working directly with individuals.

Richmond Community Services

Yonkers, New York

August 2011 – December 2012

Applied Behavior Support Specialist – Assess the clinical and behavioral needs of adults with developmental disabilities. Work with professional care providers to ensure the individual’s behavioral needs are met. Assess the function of behaviors and develop behavior intervention plans to address maladaptive behaviors. Create and track treatment goals for each individual on caseload. Provide supervision and guidance to support professionals working directly with individuals.

Warwick Family Services, MCC, Inc

Bensalem, Pennsylvania

April 2009 – August 2011

Behavioral Specialist Consultant - Assess the clinical and behavioral needs of children with autism spectrum disorders. Work with the child's family, as well as educational providers, to develop an individualized treatment plan for the child and monitor the implementation and effectiveness of that plan. Transfer skills to family members and school staff to ensure the child's needs are met. Supervise therapeutic support staff working directly with the child.

Catholic Charities Day Programs

Elk River, Minnesota

August 2007 – April 2009

Program Therapist - Provided therapy services and skills training (individually and in groups) to children and adolescents in an intensive day treatment program. Worked with clients and their families to resolve emotional/behavioral difficulties and past conflicts or trauma. Conducted diagnostic assessments with clients and families to determine treatment goals. Utilized multiple strategies (e.g. sensory, behavioral) to improve the functioning of clients in their communities.

University of Minnesota Extension

St. Paul, Minnesota

September 2005 – May 2008

Administrative Fellow – Conducted program evaluations for the Family Development Capacity Area. Provided research support for faculty and staff members in the University of Minnesota Extension. Used SPSS and other software to organize and analyze program data. Conducted literature reviews related to subject area. Focused on projects related to divorce education, youth nutrition, and financial literacy.

Professional Experience (Continued)

Minnesota Autism Center

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 2003 – August 2007

Behavior Therapist – Provided intensive in-home behavior therapy to children with autism spectrum disorders. Focused on language, communication, and social skills. Worked with other therapists and family members to ensure quality and continuity of services.

University of Minnesota

St. Paul, Minnesota

September 2003 – August 2005

Research Assistant – Provided research support for faculty members in the Family Social Science Department. Used SPSS and other software to organize and analyze data. Conducted literature reviews related to research area. Assisted with computer-based projects, which included formatting manuscripts for publications (APA format) and creating PowerPoint presentations.

Sexual Violence Center

Minneapolis, Minnesota

May 2002 – February 2003

Crisis Unit Coordinator – Provided case management, individual support counseling, advocacy and crisis counseling to survivors of sexual assault as well as to members of their family and other concerned persons. Facilitated support groups for survivors and concerned persons. Supervised intern and volunteer counselors in Crisis Unit. Coordinated Crisis Unit schedule. Trained new volunteers in counseling skills, mental health issues and crisis intervention.

United Behavioral Health - Provider Services

Golden Valley, Minnesota

October 2000 to October 2001

Credentialing Specialist – Reviewed provider applications for quality of credentials. Investigated any issues, including malpractice and disciplinary actions. Recommended providers for acceptance into the UBH network. Worked extensively with providers to clarify and resolve problems with their applications.

United Health Group - Corporate Financial Systems

Minnetonka, Minnesota

June 1998 – October 2000

Business Analyst – Gathered and organized information relevant to project requests. Presented requirements to technical staff and end users for approval. Created and monitored project plans to ensure timely and cost-effective completion of projects. Analyzed federal regulations for health insurance companies to ensure compliance.

United Health Group - Corporate Financial Systems

Minnetonka, Minnesota

March 1997 – June 1998

Training Specialist – Provided classroom and individualized training for United Health Group's (UHG) financial systems. Gathered UHG specific information for use in developing training manuals for several systems. Organized and implemented several systems-related projects that required coordination of the accounting and finance staff as well as the technical staff.

Harvest States Cooperatives - Harvest Data Systems

Saint Paul, Minnesota

November 1994 – February 1997

Training and Documentation Specialist – Conducted training for both large and small groups, as well as one-to-one training. Prepared technical manuals and training materials for end users. Organized, updated, and created several accounting related policies and procedures. Provided telephone and on-site support for accounting and technical problems.

Therapy Practicum/Internships

Catholic Charities Day Programs

September 2006 – June 2007

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Family Therapy Intern – Provided therapy services and skills training (individually and in groups) to children and adolescents in an intensive day treatment program. Worked with clients and their families to resolve emotional and behavioral difficulties. Conducted diagnostic assessments with clients to determine treatment goals.

Generations Community Support Services

September 2004 – June 2005

Forest Lake, Minnesota

Family Therapy Intern – Provided in-home, school, and office based therapy and skills training to children, adolescents, and adults. Worked with youth and their families to resolve emotional or behavioral difficulties. Conducted intake assessments with youth and their families. Worked with families, social service agencies, and schools to ensure that clients' needs were met.

Sexual Violence Center

September 2001 – May 2002

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Counseling Intern – Provided one-to-one, crisis, and group counseling to survivors of sexual assault as well as to members of their family and other concerned persons. Trained new volunteers in counseling skills. Facilitated the 'Surviving Violence' group and provided individual counseling at the Correctional Facility in Shakopee, MN. Provided counseling to clients at several Junior and Senior High Schools.

Education

University of Minnesota

In Progress

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Doctoral program in Family Social Science/Marriage and Family Therapy

Completed coursework; finishing dissertation and exams

University of Saint Thomas

July 2002

St. Paul, Minnesota

Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy

College of Saint Benedict

May 1989

St. Joseph, Minnesota

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and French

Other Training

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation Training

Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support (June 2005)

Crisis Group Intervention (June 2005)

Pennsylvania Bureau of Autism Services

Functional Behavior Assessment Certification

Pivotal Response Training

Level One Certification (July 2010)

International Association of Trauma Professionals

Certified Clinical Trauma Professional

Computer Skills

I am familiar with several software packages, including:

Microsoft Office Suite

SPSS Statistical Software

Adobe Acrobat Professional, Photoshop

Web-based Data Collection Tools

Web authoring software and HTML

Research Interests

My research interests include:

Families of children with autism and developmental disabilities through the lifespan

Individuals who are dually diagnosed with a developmental disability and mental health disorder

Medical family therapy

Crisis intervention and effects of trauma on individuals and families

Trauma and resilience in families and individuals with disabilities

Honors

Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor Society in Family and Consumer Sciences

License

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist – Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

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