Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Miriam Luz Candelaria, L.M.H.C., M.S.

*** ************ ******, *********, ******* 34744 941-***-**** / 561-***-**** ***********@*****.***

Work Experience

****-******* ******* ********-*****otherapist Florida

Provide psychotherapy with a focus on dimensions of wellness to children, adolescents, adults, seniors, families, and couples presenting variety of mental health issues and substance abuse problems (specialization in ADHD, mood disorders and addictions).

2016 Acceptance Recovery Center Delray Beach, FL

Clinical Director of a Substance Abuse Facility.

Supervised Registered Mental Health Counselors Interns.

Provided clinical consultation to staff.

Assisted Director of Operations.

Monitored group facilitators to ensure compliance with state minimum requirements.

Staffed cases with clinical staff and facilitated staff trainings, meetings and supervision with them.

Completed annual performance evaluations and provided regular administrative and clinical supervision.

Review client’s charts for all programs to insure compliance with DCF and JACHO and provided necessary training on proper documentation for both certifications.

Served as Liaison with County Behavioral Health Systems, Department of Rehabilitation and other private and public social services and mental health agencies.

Participated in the development and implementation of agency policies and practices affecting the overall operation and direction of the agency.

Assisted with preparation/revision of agency program descriptions, promotional materials, etc.

Oversees Quality Assurance, ensuring program compliance with licensing regulations, DCF regulations and JACHO.

Assisted Director of Operations with developing staff job descriptions.

Participated in hiring, orientations, trainings, disciplinary issues and terminations of staff.

Ensure that the program maintains contacts with 65D30, OSHA, State and Federal guidelines as well as where and when applicable probation, the courts or any referral source in accordance to state minimum standards.

Ensure personnel files are kept in accordance with state minimum standards.

Leads Program Directors and Quality Assurance meetings.

Maintained weekly reviews of staff documentations.

Maintained the agency policy and procedures manuals.

Conducted inspections of facility for cleanliness and safety concerns.

2015 Jerome Golden Mental Health Behavioral Center West Palm Beach, FL

Supervisor of Mobile Crisis Team.

Supervised upcoming Mental Health Counselors and Social Worker Interns at the main facility.

Performed a variety of duties to lead, direct and coordinate the activities of a Mobile Crisis Team and Access Center.

Supervised all aspects of the daily operations of a Mobile Crisis Team and Access Center.

Trained and monitored assigned staff with regard to medical record and related documentation.

Trained and orient staff with regard to Center and departmental policies and procedures, new requirements, changes in laws or regulatory requirements.

Applied leadership skill to motivate, coach and counsel staff assigned to department.

Participated in program development and quality improvement projects as required.

Communicated verbally and in writing with co-workers, other employees and clients.

Collected, interpreted and utilized a variety of data to monitor and continuously improve the operational performance and efficiency of the team and the Access Center.

Performed preliminary assessment for triage of clients seeking services on an emergency basis and determine level of care needed.

Acted as a facilitator to promote a positive relationship with hospitals, social services agencies, community and government entities, law enforcement agencies, judicial system and other client advocacy organizations, to promote Center interest and accomplish departmental objectives.

Participated with the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training.

Determined provision of services reflective of client needs including making appropriate referrals within the community.

Completed Treatment Plans, Treatment Plan Reviews, Functional Assessment Rating Scale (FARS) and Outcomes/ Performance Measures.

Ensured that my actions meet or exceed the ethics standards for my profession, the Center’s Employee Code of Ethics, and prevailing laws.

Demonstrated leadership through the maintenance of mandatory competencies and currency of required certifications such as AIDS, First Aid, CPR, and CPT or TEAM.

Demonstrated knowledge of the Florida Mental Health Act (Chapter 394), Florida Baker Act and Marchman Act and the routine application of their provisions.

Completed Voluntary/Involuntary Baker Acts for walk-in clients or clients brought to the facility by Police.

2014 Jerome Golden Mental Health Behavioral Center West Palm Beach, FL

Treatment Plan Coordinator for a Mental Health/Baker Act facility.

Completed BioPsychoSocial Assessments and Diagnosis for new clients.

Completed Treatment Plans, Treatment Plan Reviews, Functional Assessment Rating Scale (FARS) and Outcomes/ Performance Measures for Outpatient Clinic clients.

Exercised Baker Act when needed.

Offered and provided various types of counseling to individuals of all ages.

Provided counseling to individuals at risk of being Suicidal, Homicidal, Depressed, or having Auditory or Visual Hallucinations, or issues with Substance Abuse.

Provided Crisis Intervention at various locations such as; on-site, schools, hospitals, client residences, or anywhere counseling or crisis intervention is needed.

Performed counseling and emergency assessments.

Completed court-ordered mental health assessments at the main facility and the County Jail.

Consistently work with human service organizations and public agencies throughout the assigned catchment area.

Provided counseling and emergency intervention for callers and their families on the Mobile Crisis Line.

Assess and refer clients to needed resources throughout the community.

Completed inpatient and outpatient intakes.

Completed face-to-face follow-ups and phone contact follow-ups with inpatient and outpatient intakes.

Reported and advocated for victims who have experienced various types of abuse and neglect.

Experience/Expertise with one or more of the 4 groups; children, geriatrics, adults, and/or substance abuse.

Ability to work with agitated clients and perform client management techniques such as verbal re-direction and verbal de-escalation.

Participated in Staff Meetings and attend required trainings.

2011 Town & Country Hospital/ARU Tampa, FL

Addiction Counselor and Therapist (PsychoTherapist) and Facilitator for Substance Abuse/Detox, Didactic/Support with weekly groups between 16-20 patients

Bilingual Therapist and Facilitator for Detox Program and Spanish Intensive Outpatient Unit (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Completed Intakes/Assessments for Detox program and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Experienced assessing and diagnosing Dual Diagnosis/Co-Ocurrent Disorders

Completed Referrals for appropriated After Care Plans, with a variety of facilities, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and Individual Psychologists, Therapists, Counselors and Social Workers

Experienced gathering information, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning, implementation, evaluation and follow-up

Taught Clients and Families the concept of Addiction as a Disease

Used 12 Steps, Meetings and Sponsorship together with Counseling/Therapy, as main preventive tools for relapsing, sobriety and staying clean

Completed Discharge Plannings including Patients, Family and other support.

Experienced conducting Crisis Interventions, Suicide Assessments, Baker Acts, etc.

Completed Treatment Plans and Progress Notes

Conducted Individual/Family/Group Therapy

Practiced Rational Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Motivational Emotional Therapy (MET), Reality Therapy, and eclectic on techniques

Used a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions, demonstrate sensitivity to diversity and possess multicultural counseling skills

Facilitated weekly Family Support Groups and emergency Family Interventions and Therapy sessions

2008-2011 GEO/Florida Civil Commitment Center (FCCC) Arcadia, FL

Bilingual Facilitator, Case Manager and Therapist for Sexually Violent Predators/Offenders and Detainees

with case loads between 16-20 patients

Completed Treatment Plans/Reviews, Integrated Care Plans, Integrated Care Notes and Progress Notes

Completed Risk Assessment/Suicide Assessment, referrals for Medical, Psychiatrist and Psychologist

Completed Sexual Drive Reduction Screening, Goal Attainment Scaling, STABLE, ACUTE-2007

Facilitated the Substance Abuse groups and AA/NA Meetings, using the 12 Steps and Sponsorship as main preventive tool for relapsing

Conducts and/or facilitates intakes, individual, group and family therapy sessions, classes and orientation, following Company curriculum and standards using principles of the “What Works” system.

Maintains accurate clinical documentation including intake summaries, group notes, discharge summaries, treatment plans and updates. Updates therapeutic logs in a timely manner. Enters pertinent information into Company database.

Conducts risks/needs assessments and creates individual treatment plans for each assigned client.

Attends regular clinical supervision meeting to ensure communication between team members and collaboration on case management.

Attends and participates in all staff meetings, workshops and trainings.

Participates in daily office operations, such as client check-ins and monitoring client urinalysis, as needed to meet the needs of the program.

Communicates relevant, accurate and adequate information regarding clients’ needs/concerns/issues to supervisor and other appropriate parties.

Communicate client status/updates to DCF as required by contract.

2007 Jackson North Community Mental Health Center OpaLocka, FL

Intake Coordinator/ Counselor

Conducted biopsychosocial and suicidal assessments, referrals, crisis interventions, CFARS/FARS

Obtained Pre-authorization and insurance approvals

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied background

Use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation and delivery of services

2007 Family Preservation Services of Florida, Inc. Fort Pierce, FL

Senior Mental Health Practitioner/Clinician/Therapist for TBOS/ITOSS.

Completed biopsychosocial assessments, referrals, treatment plans and reviews, CFARS/FARS, and progress notes

Conducted Individual and Family therapy at homes and schools.

2006 Jackson North Community Mental Health Center OpaLocka, FL

Intake Coordinator/Counselor

Conducted biopsychosocial and suicidal assessments, referrals, crisis interventions, CFARS/FARS

Obtained Pre-authorization and insurance approvals

2006 Miami Dade College Homestead, FL

Adjutant Professor in the Psychology Department for psychology, human growth classes, and student seminars

2005 SFRC/Westford Healthcare Inc. Miami, FL

Behavioral Health Specialist for inmates of the in/out processing department of FL corrections

Conducted psychological intakes/evaluations, psychological tests and referrals for psychiatrist evaluations

Interpreted test results and submitted reports and evaluations in a timely manner

2004-2005 Westcare/Village South, Inc. Miami, FL

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselor in the Outpatient Department

Developed client treatment plans, follow-up and treatment plan reviews

Prepared progress and attendance reports for courts and employers

Conducted individual, group & couples therapy in substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and domestic violence

2004 American Therapeutic, Corp. Homestead, FL

Program Therapist

Conducted Bio-psychosocial assessments and admission interviews

Coordinated patient discharge planning, made referrals, and acted as liaison between client, family and human services provider

2003 Abriendo Puertas, Inc. Miami, FL

Director of Children and Youth programs

Implemented and monitored prevention programs for the after school program

Wrote grant proposals that were key to program funding

2003 Abriendo Puertas, Inc. Miami, FL

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern co-facilitated Domestic Violence Victims Support Groups

Facilitated a 26 week Court mandated Domestic Violence Aggressors Training Course and Support Groups

Facilitated a 15 weeks Court mandated Parenting Skills Training Course and Support Groups

2002-2003 Citrus Health Network Miami, FL

Mental Health Therapist, Senior Community Mental Health Practitioner, Clinician for clients ages 4-18 in the Intensive Therapy on Site (ITOSS)

Routinely visited client homes and classrooms for observations and follow-ups

Prepared treatment plan reviews, CFARS, follow-ups, progress reports and updated file diagnosis and treatment plans

2002 Perspective on Mental Health Miami, FL

Facilitated Anger Management, Parenting Skills and Domestic Violence Support Groups

2002 Mujer/ Proyecto Esperanza Homestead, FL

Mental Health Counselor Intern for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, ages 2-67

Prepared internal and external referrals for clients in need of Legal Aid, Victim Compensation, Adult Education Counseling, CHI Clinics and COFFO

Facilitated the Florida International University Gear Up Program (Self-esteem Support Group)

Facilitated the 8-week University of Miami Mailman Center Heroes Program (Victims of Domestic Violence Support Group)

1999 Law Offices Ronald Pathman Miami, FL

Legal Assistant/Paralegal

Provided customer service to clients

Conducted pre-trial interviews, legal research, victim witness counseling and office management

List of My Competency including All Ages Groups

General Professional Skills

Ability to employ diplomacy and good interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective relationships and open lines of communication with other health care providers, social service agencies, community/governmental entities and client advocacy organizations to promote Center interests and accomplish departmental objectives.

Ability to lead, train, direct and coordinate activities for supervised staff.

Ability to effectively verbally and orally communicate with supervised staff as well as other Supervisors and Directors.

Ability to manage staff in an effective environment that encourage communication and support to staff.

Ability to promote excellency in Customer Service and strive to treat every client with proper respect and individualized customer driven services in a dependable manner.

Ability to practice integrity to always pursue ethical practice, honestly and accountability.

Ability to continually seek opportunities for improvement and to encourage the development of personal and professional competencies.

Ability to display flexibility, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit and continuously support changes as it encourages new ideas and approaches.

Ability to remain sensitive and value the diversity of cultural beliefs, perceptions, ethnicity, language differences and religious practices of persons-served, their families and other staff, recognizing the influence of culture on the effective delivery of behavioral healthcare.

Ability to be sensitive to and value the diversity of cultural differences

Ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations.

Children and Adolescents

Ability to apply knowledge of the stages of development that is appropriate to the treatment of children/adolescents.

Ability to apply knowledge of current cognitive and behavior theories in working with children/adolescents.

Ability to understand and recognize current diagnoses of children/adolescents (i.e. PTSD, ADHD, ADD); ability to understand and recognize current diagnoses of Conduct Disorders and Developmentally Disabled, and understand appropriate treatment interventions (drugs and/or therapy) being utilized in treatment.

Ability to understand family dynamics and to apply systems theory that is appropriate in developing treatment plan for working with children/adolescents.

Ability to understand conflict resolution theory and utilize this approach to diffuse the potential for violence in the school and/or in the home.

Ability to recognize symptoms of abuse and/or trauma suffered by children/adolescents and the institution of an appropriate intervention (i.e. mandated reporting and/or therapy)

Adults

Ability to understand key concepts such as assessment, intervention and stabilization and how to apply/utilize them in developing treatment plans for adults.

Ability to understand and apply psychopathology and crisis theory to make accurate diagnostic assessments and treatment plans for adults.

Ability to screen and assess an individual’s current and past functioning abilities to make appropriate recommendations for treatment.

Ability to understand and apply knowledge of the most frequent diagnosis of adults (i.e. Schizophrenia, Depression, Psychotic Disorders and Adjustment Disorders) in making assessment.

Ability to work as part of a team to make specific input available to the team on diagnosis and treatment of adults.

Substance Abuse

Ability to gather and assess information about substance abuse.

Ability to distinguish between alcohol and other substance abuse symptoms and other pre-existing physical problems or pathological behavior (s).

Ability to interpret information about an individual’s use of alcohol and/or drugs/substances.

Ability to understand and apply the range of treatment interventions including medical, emotional, behavioral, social, educational, and other interventions.

Ability to develop treatment plans based on an individual’s problems and needs.

Seniors

Ability to understand aging as a stage in the process of growth and development.

Ability to understand the metamorphosis of change that occurs in aging and its impact on the functioning level of the elderly.

Ability to apply knowledge of crisis intervention in determining the coping mechanisms that are best adaptable to the changes being experienced by the elderly.

Ability to understand the dynamics of aging, (i.e. Family, socio-emotional and medical) and its implications in the treatment of the elderly.

Ability to understand important dilemmas such as nutrition, socialization and security in planning treatment for the elderly.

Ability to understand specific disorders that affect the elderly and current treatment modalities. These disorders include Depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Anxiety states, Suicide/Homicide, Alcohol Addiction, Fears and Phobias.

Education

2003 Carlos Albizu University Miami, FL

Doctoral Candidate Student in Forensic Psychology

2001-2002 Carlos Albizu University Miami, FL

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling

GPA 3.90, Distinction

1998-1999 City College Miami, FL

Associate of Arts in Legal Assistant

GPA 3.90, Distinction

1978-1981 University of P.R. Rio Piedras, PR

Bachelor of Arts in Public Communications

Group Facilitator

Substance Abuse (Detox/IOP)

Sexual Violent Offenders

Domestic Violence

Parenting

Anger Management

Professional Training

REBT Primary Certificate, Albert Ellis Institute, N.Y.

Support Coordinator for Person with Disabilities

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

Child Welfare Overview, DCF

Official CFARS/FARS Rater, SFU

HIPAA/ First Aid/ CPR/ Safety and Security Training

Case Management Training, DCF

Facilitator for Domestic Violence Group Counseling

Parenting Skills Group Facilitator/Trainer

Multidisciplinary Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Training

Multidisciplinary Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Workshops

Gestalt Play Therapy/ Metaphoric Storytelling, Group Play, Play Therapy (Specialized Children Training), Barry University

STABLE and ACUTE-2007

Psycho-Drama Therapy

Other Skills

Computer Programs: MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, Outlook, Work, and Publisher

Proficient on Internet research and usage

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Good interpersonal skills

Teaching, presentation and group facilitation skills

Good organizational skills

Ability to deal with resistive clients and manage difficult situations

De-escalation skills

Extensive knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, and strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the life span

Extensive knowledge of current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) of Mental Health Disorders in formulation of treatment goals and application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices

Licensure, Registration Certification

Licensed Mental Health Counselor # MH9117

Florida Driver License

Qualified Supervisor for Licenses of Potential Registered Mental Health Interns

Languages

Fluently speak, write and read

English

Spanish

Membership

ATSA

Psi-Chi

FMHCA

Miriam Luz Candelaria, L.M.H.C., M.S.

112 Westmoreland Circle, Kissimmee, Florida 34744 941-***-**** / 561-***-**** ***********@*****.***

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