Mental Health Staff

AISHA T. MCDONALD MS, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

**** ** **** ******, **********, FL 33313

Cell #: 954-***-****

Email: **********@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

EDUCATION

Nova Southeastern University

Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling

University of Florida

Bachelor of Arts in General Theatre

oMinor in Mass Communications

Broward Community College

Associate of Arts in Mass Communications

TRAININGS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

Florida Laws and Rules CEU

Domestic Violence CEU

HIV/AIDS CEU

Medical Errors CEU

Flakka: Deadly Designer Drug CEU

Sexual Trauma and Risk Reduction Treatment (STARRT)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Psychopharmacology

Cultural Competency and Racial Trauma

Motivational Interviewing

Relapse Prevention Planning

Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Suicide Assessment and Intervention

Substance Use Disorders and Co-Occurring Diagnosis

Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Using Empirically-Based Practices

CPR and First Aid

Non-Abusive Physical and Psychological Interventions (NAPPI)

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

CPR and First Aid Certified

Mindfulness and Experiential Therapist

Computer-Literate with proficiency in extensive software including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook application, Spreadsheets, Electronic-Education Platform, and Billing/Payroll Software

Leadership Roles including but not limited to staff supervisor, coordinator of volunteer services for non-profit agency, social director for college-wide student organization, workshop facilitator for community and state-wide conferences, corporate trainer and facilitator for organizations and community related agencies, team leader for national community service program, and vice-president and president of university’s Caribbean Student Associations

EXPERIENCE

Chrysalis Health

Clinical Specialist 2017-Present

Facilitates initial assessments in accordance with Medicaid regulations and updates as applicable and is responsible for determining client’s psychiatric diagnosis based on diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV and DSM-5

Works collaboratively and professionally with all community partnerships and performs administrative duties related to intake/assessment activities.

Administers clinical assessments and substance use evaluations to clients with focus on the at-risk and forensic population including but not limited to Broward Sheriff’s Office Reentry Division, Department of Children and Family, Family Resource Center, Department of Juvenile Justice

Develops and facilitates corporate-wide and community training to clinical and administrative staff as well as Crisis Intervention Training to local sheriff and police departments

Represents agency at corporate and community workshops, conferences, and symposiums geared toward furthering knowledge of social services field as well as strengthening database of community network within various areas

Facilitates therapeutic group sessions with focus on community resources and reentry at local county jails in Lifeskills and Substance Abuse Programs

Performs therapeutic duties as needed with diverse population including but not limited to forensic-based, trauma focused, severe emotional disturbances, and substance use

Delivers trauma-focused care and assesses clients for crisis intervention on case by case basis

Prepares treatment plans and guides clients and family in goal setting through psychoeducation and strength-based techniques with knowledge of Best Practices

Delivers in-home and community based therapeutic services to diverse population with mental health and substance abuse needs while providing referrals to resources throughout the community as necessary

Collaborates with multi-disciplinary team so as to adhere to professional guidelines as well as attends mandatory and optional trainings to enhance knowledge of DSM and behavioral health related field

Chrysalis Health 2012-Present

Community and Court Liaison

Served as liaison for courts and The Chrysalis Center personnel in addition to attending court hearings and assist various referral sources and judicial staff to determine eligibility of clients for Chrysalis as well as provide preliminary screening of clients for intake purposes to be assessed for services

Marketed Chrysalis for ongoing program development throughout South Florida as well as expanding court relationships outside the courtroom with community service providers and end users

Facilitated Crisis Intervention Training for Broward Sheriff officers and law enforcement from local police departments to instruct on substance use and mental health issues in current social climate as well as de-escalation tactics for crisis situations

Responsible for maintaining relationships with various community providers and judicial staff regarding services, information and Best Practice models for treatment of clients in accord with the guidelines of the Mental Health/Drug Court and the Chrysalis treatment providers

Maintained communication with the Community Coordinator and Program Director to monitor program needs requiring program development support

Developed relationships and strategic partnerships with community partners while promoting the services of the agency and it’s entities throughout the community

Performed administrative duties related to growth of Chrysalis such as maintaining records of client court dates and requirements via the court and Chrysalis staff

Delivered presentations on mental health and substances use services and care to forensic population in county jails throughout community while collaborating with BSO and community partners on reentry planning for in-custody clients

Facilitated anger management specialty group therapy sessions for individuals with severe mood disorders as well as reentry clients within the forensic field

Provided connection to treatment services for clients in need of resources as well as recently released prisoners at Broward County’s Reentry Portal

Acted as a mental health/substance abuse resource to the courts and accompanying clients to court in the role of advocate to provide progress reports on Chrysalis clients in divisions such as Felony and Misdemeanor Mental Health, Felony Drug, Marchman Act, Domestic Violence, and regular county and circuit courts

Served as liaison for supportive housing facility and court or BSO involved clients who are ordered or directed to substance free and monitored placement

Member of Mental Health Taskforce as led by circuit court Judge designed to be collaborative effort of community partners and agencies in social services effecting policy changes and developing resources for forensic and at-risk population

Chrysalis Health 2011 –2012

Program Coordinator

Supervised a staff of 15 at a nine bed therapeutic group home which provides Behavioral Health Overlay Services for foster care youth with behavioral and mental health diagnoses

Responsible for the placement and overall well-being of the youth within the placement as well as developing service plans and treatment goals that are conducive to their mental health and behavioral progress in accordance with CBT techniques and strength-based philosophies

Facilitated therapeutic groups alongside Program Therapist as well as manage staff recruitment, hiring, supervision, and leadership meetings

Collaborated with Child Advocates, Guardian Ad Litem, Attorney Ad Litem, Juvenile Parole Officers, and the court officials regarding normalcy goals and service plans as relevant to each youth

Maintained records and documentation in accordance with Continuous Quality Improvement while also adhering to HIPAA and various DCF/ChildNet contract requirements

Facilitated Non-Abusive Psychological and Physical Interventions training to staff as primary de-escalation strategies in situations of crisis

Facilitated and maintained training sessions as required by the Council of Accreditation, Medicaid, as well as contractual requirements

Executed crisis intervention ranging from clients requiring a Baker Act to violent and harmful situations as well as acted as on-call supervisor for the staff at all five group homes and a 20 bed shelter facility as designated

Broward General Medical Center 2011 – 2012

Mental Health Counselor Intern

Provided solution-focused therapy to patient on behavioral health unit that caters to individuals who are in need of treatment for mental health issues ranging from but not limited to thought disorders, mood disorders, and dual diagnoses

Provided intervention during crisis situations specifically regarding Baker Act individuals

Facilitated therapeutic groups focused on processing and Cognitive Behavioral models for patients as well as provide individual therapy sessions and suicide assessments

Attended treatment team meetings alongside healthcare professionals and lead therapists as well as review charts and files for all patients including those who have been Baker Acted

Women in Distress of Broward County, Inc. 2010 – 2011

Volunteer and Social Change Associate

Responsible for the recruitment, placement, and supervision of volunteers within the agency and for special events

Assisted staff with volunteer development and supervision while also fostering partnerships with community members who donate professional services to the organization

Managed documentation and files of all volunteers and maintained regular communication with current and prospective volunteers

Scheduled and collaborated with community partners for community events to promote awareness of domestic violence

Women in Distress of Broward County, Inc. 2008 - 2010

Community Outreach and Men & Boys Team Leader - AmeriCorps Member

Developed and implemented three Creative Arts Initiative in at-risk facilities that entailed teaching the youth and inmates how to use the arts as a means of expression

Managed and coordinated meetings and events within Social Change Department as well as developed curricula with a team of colleagues for youth based education throughout South Florida

Conducted trainings for business professionals, including a Refugee Services Eligibility, Cultural Diversity, Cultural Competency, Professional Development and Conflict Resolution

Assisted in recruiting of AmeriCorps members and managed schedules for a team of ten while arranging the scheduling of various presentations throughout the community

Provided over 500 training sessions in Domestic Violence, Teen Dating Violence, and Anti-Bullying presentations to elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges and various organizations including several drug rehab centers, lock-down facilities and alternative schools

Organized and directed two annual productions of the ‘Vagina Monologues’ to educate our clients and the community about female empowerment

Presented on more than 50 panel discussions and Speaker’s Bureau events about Domestic Violence

Coordinated and developed over 10 theatrical and Spoken Word events to advance the community’s awareness of violence

Attended Human Trafficking Workgroup meetings to aid in bringing awareness to the issue of Human Trafficking

Facilitated daily and weekly counseling support groups for victims as well as counseling groups in at-risk facilities such as jails, detention centers, and rehabilitation centers

Tutor/Mentor 2005 – Present

Facilitated tutoring sessions for youth of various ages to assist them with schoolwork as well as provided mentoring sessions for a variety of youth groups in terms of teaching life skills, self-esteem, stereotypes, etc.

Developed over 20 workshops for state-wide conferences focused on youth such as Camp Katina of the Jason Taylor Foundation, college-based Caribbean Conferences, OUTlet Conference for LGBT youth, Celebration of Women and Girls event, and others

Broward Community College 2002 –2004

Volunteer Admissions and Registration Office Assistant

Performed basic clerical office duties as well as did student intakes and admissions applications

Attended to walk-in prospective students and provided information on the college and the services and degrees that were offered as well as referral services

References Available Upon Request

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