Shamma Patel

**** *. ****** ******* **** Dr., Winter Garden, Florida 34787 C: 561-***-**** acwxcn@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Objective

Compassionate, solutions-oriented Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern seeking employment as a Behavior Therapist to utilize passion for working with people and showcasing a dedication to providing exceptional counseling services to help children and adolescents manage and cope with mental health difficulties ranging from developmental disabilities to depression.

Skills

•Biopsychosocial assessments

•Multilingual in Gujarati, Hindi, and English

•Individual Psychotherapy

•Group psychotherapy

•Cognitive Behavior Therapy

•Experience with children and Adolescents

•Public speaking ability

•Cooperative teamwork abilities

•Goal Oriented

•Astute learner

•Excellent listener

•Culturally sensitive

•Multicultural competency

Affiliations

American Counseling Association Member, 2012 - Current

Work History

Qualified Mental Health Professional Independent Contractor, 04/2014 to 02/2015

The Victoria Transcultural Clinical Center – Fairfax, VA

•Provided client-services for 30-45 hours per week during employment period. The agency\'s (VTCC) clientele was divided into two programs based on diagnosis and client needs: ABA and Intensive in-Home (IHH)

•Provided behavior interventions to ABA program clients consisting of children and adolescents (ages 3-20) with developmental disabilities (primarily children with Autism Spectrum Disorder).

•Participated in weekly facility-operated training and supervision on theories and implementation of principles and techniques of Applied Behavior Analysis.

•Utilized ABA techniques to enhance: verbal/non-verbal communication skills, socially appropriate behaviors, general skill acquisition, parent-training, community-training (supermarket, playground, pool, inside vehicles, street safety, etc.), safety awareness, attention-span, and successful redirection to desired behavior/activity.

•Frequently collaborated with parents, caretakers, physicians, and educational staff to ensure generalizability of treatment progress to all significant environments in client's daily schedule.

•Enhanced anger-management skills, stress-management skills and techniques, minimizing depression, substance abuse management, anxiety management, increasing motivation for regular school attendance, stabilizing interpersonal relationships for a safer home environment, case management, and 24-hour emergency response to prevent out-of-home placement and ensure early discharge.

•Constantly observed and monitored client behavior and treatment responses.

•Recorded client information on charts, accurately indicating problem behaviors and symptom presentation, duration, and severity.

•Facilitated smooth discharges by developing comprehensive discharge plans and encouraging and reassuring clients throughout transitions.

•Developed, implemented, and modified treatment plans as needed.

•Aided clients and parents in arranging and attending medication evaluations, psychological testing, and provided constant referrals to additional services as needed.

Counselor Intern, 01/2013 to 12/2013

E.L. Haynes Public Charter School - High School Campus – Washington, DC

•Individually counseled several general education students and students with IEPs based on various needs, including low self-esteem, inappropriate relational behaviors, traumatic experiences or exposure, exposure to domestic violence, inappropriate aggression, ADHD management, stress and anxiety management, lack of academic motivation, and difficulties with focusing attention to ensure appropriate functioning within school environments and decrease disciplinary action.

•Facilitated 2 small groups of students with a focus on ADHD management and self-esteem and stress management.

•Increased student attendance and decreased expected suspension rate by co-facilitating a 3-month attendance support group for chronically truant students.

Developed a trustful environment, conducted team-building activities, strengthened student engagement and motivation, imparted knowledge regarding truancy laws and regulations, followed up with parents/guardians regarding attendance concerns, implemented a reward system and celebrated improved attendance. Common techniques and interventions used included: thought records, challenging negative automatic thoughts, guided discovery, examining evidence, role playing, and frequent homework assignments.

Frequent psychoeducation was provided pertaining to behavior management techniques such as frustration and stress management.

Collaborated with multidisciplinary team during clients’ IEP eligibility and annual meetings to confirm treatment progress and address ongoing concerns.

Projects:

Mini attendance workshops (1-day) – early intervention for at-risk students based on past attendance records/truancy history.

McKinney-Vento (MKV) Homeless Education Assistance – reached out to families that identified as homeless to impart knowledge regarding available school resources as a result of the MKV act. Organized lists of requested resources, which included student clothing, school supplies, and public transportation.

Lens Crafters Program – documented parent concern and students’ request for prescription glasses and submitted applications for free eyewear for families that requested this service – 5 pairs were awarded.

Problem-behavior Observationalist/Teacher Assistant, 08/2011 to 12/2011

Shree Hindu Mandal Nursery School Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

•Aided early detection of mental health disorders by observing and monitoring students ages 2-6 during playtime and class time for atypical behavior patterns and skill deficiencies.

•Provided psychoeducation on general developmentally appropriate skills and deficiencies.

•Presented observational reports to the teaching staff to prepare for possible treatment planning and/or special education arrangements.

•Taught multiple classrooms on a rotational basis, focusing on students requiring individual attention.

•Advocated for the importance of an on-site mental health professional.

Counselor Intern, 07/2009 to 09/2009

Muhimbili University Hospital and Allied Sciences – Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

•Shadowed teams of psychologists and physicians during hospital rounds at the psychiatric inpatient facility.

•Prepared written initial diagnostic assessments - reviewed by professionals with feedback.

•Created written observational reports of assigned clients for on-duty mental health professionals to aid in diagnosis procedure.

•Conducted progress reports on clients receiving occupational therapy.

•Collaborated with social workers to select clients that may benefit from home-visits to maximize clients\' support system.

•Directed family-centered, strengths-based, culturally competent and individualized intakes and assessments at the outpatient sector.

HIV Aids Clinic Intern, 05/2009 to 07/2009

Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital – Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

•Observed counseling sessions provided to HIV/AIDS testers.

•Provided psychoeducation to individuals about HIV/AIDS including ways it can be contracted, preventative measures, and coping strategies.

•Provided individual counseling and support for 8 clients awaiting test results.

•Observed professional counselor during counseling sessions with families with seriously ill or dying members in the hospital.

•Co-facilitated small groups of families on coping mechanisms and the bereavement process following an immediate death at the hospital.

Education

Master of Arts: Counseling Psychology, December, 2013

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Washington DC

Concentration Trauma and Crisis Intervention

Bachelor of Science: Psychology, June, 2011

Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA

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