Care Services
Resume:
CASSANDRA HOFFER, M.A., FLORIDA LICENSED L.M.F.T.
*** ******* *** ****** #*** ****.******@*****.***
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082
Professional Profile
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with long term experience providing
therapeutic services to children, adolescents and adults in community
agencies, inpatient hospital units, day hospitals and day school settings.
Plans and executes behavioral health care that is proactive, strength
based, and sensitive to the unique attributes of each client or family.
Summary of Skills and Qualifications
. Counseling-Solid background in building therapeutic alliances with
clients and families by meeting them where they are. Joins with
clients to set goals and reach them step by step. Session work is
conducted at a rate that takes into account the acuity of the
presenting concern, client distress and the pace at which each are
willing to progress. Counseled individuals, families, couples and
groups, alone and as a co therapist. Extensive experience
deescalating agitated persons in crisis situations in which remedial
interventions were employed to provide for safety.
. Strength Based-Solution Focused Therapy techniques and strategies are
among the tools employed in sessions to empower clients by helping
them examine circumstances that are exceptions to the problem that
brought them to treatment. Effective responses when the problem is not
a problem helps to generate a vision of what life for the client would
be with more of those successful times. Clients are asked what would
be happening within himself and his environment if problem
disappeared. Healthful, positive, proactive lifestyle choices are
part of holistic session planning that helps preserve gains achieved
in therapy.
. Communication-Adept at developing rapport with clients, colleagues and
coworkers, and welcomes suggestions to improve professional practice.
Encourages participation of local schools, community agencies,
organizations in planning/executing care. Collaborative with
family/group members in discussing concerns. Comfortable facilitating
dialogue that allows each a chance to speak in a respectful, free
exchange of ideas.
. Treatment Planning-Creative and innovative in assisting clients to see
progress toward treatment goals, even when they are unable. Elicits
family support and input when appropriate in care planning and
execution. Receptive to the open exchange of ideas with clients and
professionals in the process of individualizing care.
. Clinical Experience-Provided inpatient and outpatient treatment for
individual, marital or family concerns as well as for those with
D.S.M. diagnoses mild to severe, acute and chronic. Have observed
first hand many clients presenting with untoward psychiatric symptoms.
Extensive experience assisting clients and families through emergency
periods toward crisis stabilization.
. Team Member-Works comfortably with multidisciplinary professional
teams to plan care, improve professional protocols and practice, and
educating coworkers, patients and the public. Have extended the reach
of agencies where employed in which seminars on health issues were
conducted. Advocated for clients and their families in schools
staffings and I.E.P meetings. Shared information about behavioral
health issues and services at community events. Dedicated to
supportive community services toward wellbeing of citizens.
. Academic Growth-Continued education in the university and workplace
throughout adulthood toward personal and professional growth as a
lifelong learner.
. Lifestyle Experiences- Relocated to Florida 7/2/2014. Enjoyed
opportunities to reside in rural, suburban and urban communities.
Have been employed in multicultural workplaces throughout adulthood.
Enjoyed the opportunity to travel extensively in the United States,
Europe, Central and South America.
Cassandra Hoffer
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Professional Experience
CIPRIANO AND JOHNSON COUNSELING LLC, Jacksonville Beach, FL
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Independent Contractor
12/2014- present
Facilitated psychoeducational and family groups for clients charged
recently discharged from rehabilitation and behavioral health facilities as
well as individuals charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or
drugs. Independent contractor providing counseling services for
individuals, couples and families.
MARY AND TOM LEO ASSOCIATES, INC, Chicago, IL
Therapist, Parent Coach
12/2009-11/2014
Provided individual, family, couples therapy and parent coaching to parents
referred for services by the Illinois Department of Children and Family
Services. Intervened strategically with clients' concerns that brought them
to the attention of DCFS and into therapy. Participated in agency meetings
and planning sessions; documented contact with clients and planned for
their care. Wrote and submitted quarterly progress reports to the
Department of Children and Family Services and Juvenile Court regarding the
clients' progress. Testified in Juvenile Court as an expert witness
regarding clients' progress court mandated services. Acted as a consultant
on open cases after relocating to Florida.
THOREK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Chicago, IL
Staff RN, Psychiatry
2008-2009
Provided Nursing care on a 20 bed adult psychiatric inpatient hospital unit
for patients diagnosed with acute/chronic mental illnesses and dual
diagnoses.
MIKE GEORGE ACCELERATED WEIGHT LOSS, Chicago, IL
Therapist, Wellness Coach
4/2008-6/2008
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS, FAR NORTHWEST COUNSELING CENTER,
Chicago, IL
Family Counselor Intern
2006-2007 Practicum/Internship in the M.A Family Counseling program,
Northeastern Illinois University Solution Focused Therapy techniques were
employed in sessions under the coaching and supervision of John Walter
L.C.S.W., an internationally known clinician who has published books on the
therapeutic technique.
STREAMWOOD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AT ST. MARY OF NAZARETH HOSPITAL, Chicago, IL
Staff R.N. Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
2003-2007
Provided nursing care on a locked inpatient unit to children and
adolescents with severe emotional, social, behavioral and/or family
problems. Planned, coordinated and implemented care with input and
participation from parents, schools, community organizations and a
multidisciplinary staff treatment team. Counseled patients and families
about their roles in successful treatment; positive decision making and
cooperative family living.
THE DAY SCHOOL, Chicago, IL
School Nurse
2002-2003
Provided nursing care in a therapeutic day school for students, grades 1-12
with emotional, behavioral challenges, referred by their home schools
because of difficulties learning in traditional classroom settings. I.E.P.
participation and planning.
ADVENTIST GLEN OAKS HOSPITAL, DAY HOSPITAL, and THERAPEUTIC DAY SCHOOL,
Glendale Heights, IL
Staff R.N.
1989-2002
Provided nursing and therapeutic mental health interventions as part of a
multidisciplinary treatment team serving adolescents and adults. Planned
and implemented individualized treatment appropriate to care milieus,
patients' age, personal core issues, precipitating events and family
concerns. Facilitated therapeutic and educational groups for patients and
families.
CLINTON COUNTY NURSING HOME, Plattsburgh, NY
Staff R.N.
1985-1989
Cassandra Hoffer
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Licenses
State of Florida, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, license #MT
2973
State of Illinois, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, inactivated
after receiving Florida LMFT license.
State of New York and Illinois Registered Nursing Licenses are no
longer active.
Education
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY, Phoenix, Arizona
Graduate course in Human Sexuality and Aging for Florida LMFT licensure
requirement
NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, Chicago Illinois
Master of Arts, Family Counseling
NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY, Lombard Illinois
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, Applied Behavioral Science
CLINTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Plattsburgh New York
Associate of Arts and Sciences, Registered Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
Undergraduate Studies
References available upon request.
Contact this candidate