Child and Youth Counsellor/Crisis Worker at Southlake Regional Health Centre (SRH) (2019-12 – Present)
Emergency Department and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit
- Completing comprehensive, mental health psychiatric assessments, acute/brief counselling and consultations with physicians to determine the appropriate treatment needs and disposition of psychiatric patients presenting in the Emergency Department, patients referred for internal psychiatric consultation within SRH, and patients referred to the Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health Urgent Clinic.
- Providing behavioural observations, mental status, monitoring patient's response to therapeutic interventions, documentation and ongoing communication with other team members.
- Providing Individual supportive counselling and group counselling (CBT, DBT strategies, CPS, Harm Reduction, Recovery Model) and program consultation to community programs and trauma treatment services for children and youth with serious mental health concerns presenting in the Emergency Department and while admitted on the Child and Adolescent Mental health inpatient unit
Child and Youth Therapist at Scarborough Health Network (Centenary Hospital) (2018-01 – 2020-08)
Maternity leave contract
- Provide clinical mental health services (assessment, intake, intervention and case management) to children adolescents with serious mental health concerns and their families
- Individual and group counselling (CBT, DBT strategies, CPS, Harm Reduction, Recovery Model) and program consultation to community programs and trauma treatment services for children and youth with serious mental health concerns
- Clinical casework (assessment, intervention and case management) services to children and their families
Child and Youth Counsellor at Ottawa Catholic School Board (McHugh Educational Centre) (2016-09 – 2018-01)
McHugh Educational Centre is affiliated with the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario's (CHEO) mental health program. In a classroom setting, the primary focus was to support and teach skills to help with regulating one's emotions and coping skills in order to place each child into a mainstream program where they can be successful
- Consistently provided counselling and support to children who were diagnosed with serious mental health concerns through treatment that included social skill development, cognitive-behavioural therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Collaborative Problem Solving, self awareness and self esteem/self-empowerment.
Child and Youth Counsellor (SSA) at Vancouver School Board (2013-09 – 2016-06)
- Provided counselling using a collaborative problem solving approach, developed, implemented and supported specialized programming directly related to addressing and managing behaviour challenges in high risk children and youth
- Facilitated communication between home and community agencies, liaised and supported parents through school and home transitions and expectations
- Provided direct Behavioural Management Systems (BMS) and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy to children diagnosed on the autism spectrum and children who displayed behavioural challenges such as ODD, and ADHD in a classroom setting
Residential Coordinator at Touchstone Family Association (2009-10 – 2013-11)
Youth Residential Treatment Centre
- Identified, assessing, and monitoring client's needs in conjunction with MCFD, caregivers and/or other service providers
- Developed, implemented and evaluated residence's goals, objectives, policies and procedures while ensuring a holistic approach and with the child's best interest as the only priority while the required standards are maintained
- Developed and implemented counselling intervention strategies that assist clients in determining goals, outcomes and the means of attaining them
- Facilitated all intake sessions, Individual Case Management meetings while working in a multi disciplinary team involving other para professionals (social workers, probation officers, doctors, etc...)
- Resolved, and identified problems moving clients toward defined outcomes; evaluated effectiveness of treatment plan/Plan of Care; provided direction to modify when necessary
- Supervised, supported, goal setting and evaluation of each staff member working directly with the youth formally and daily
- Planed, prepared and conducted group or individual counselling sessions with clients and their families, which included family support, teaching of parenting skills, crisis intervention and mediation to children, youth and their families
- Using a holistic and collaborative problem solving approach to implement program goals and direction.
- Provided required reports on clients' behaviour and progress. Maintained clinical records
- Coordinated training programs that provided for specific skills training and leadership development
Child and Youth Counsellor (Key Worker) at Touchstone Family Association (2007-12 – 2009-10)
Residential Treatment Centre
- Carried out and applied clinical and therapeutic direction as required within a client centered and strength based model
- Planned, prepared and conducted group or individual counselling sessions with clients and their families, which include family support, teaching of parenting skills, crisis intervention and mediation to children, youth and their families
- Provided a positive role model; teaching clients effective social and interpersonal skills, coping tools through tasks of daily living
- Daily written and monthly reports that provides relevant clinical and observational aspects while child/adolescents in residence; as key-worker coordinates and leads case conference
- Maintained a thorough knowledge of community resources to meet client's needs; provides liaison, education and advocacy to other professionals, agencies and community and maintained positive relationships
