Alin Gurdikyan

Clinical mental health counselor graduate and research professional with experience spanning behavioral research, grant-supported clinical research coordination, and individual and group counseling across the lifespan. Skilled in SPSS, Excel, data management, research protocol implementation, clinical assessment, psychoeducation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Research interests include cognitive behavioral therapy, emotion regulation, youth and family functioning, culturally responsive care, and translating evidence-based interventions into community settings.

Research Coordinator, CIFFTA Clinical Research Program at University of Miami (2025-01 – 2026-09)

Coordinated research operations for Culturally Informed and Flexible Family-Based Treatment for Adolescents (CIFFTA), collaborating with licensed mental health counselors and project staff to organize study activities, documentation, timelines, and team follow-up.

• Used Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS to enter, clean, track, organize, and analyze research data; maintained accurate records to support study monitoring and grant deliverables
• Supported grant development by contributing to proposal writing, research narratives, data summaries, and related application materials
• Collaborated across the research team to monitor project progress, resolve data-management needs, and maintain organized study workflows

Research Assistant, STRIPES Peer Mentoring Program at Florida International University (2022-09 – 2025-06)

Supported research involving ninth-grade students at elevated risk for academic failure and behavioral or mental health concerns.

• Coded more than 150 fidelity and integrity checks, collected study data, and organized youth skill-tracking records to monitor adherence to research protocols

Research Assistant, S.E.L.F. Regulation Laboratory at Florida International University (2022-08 – 2024-05)

• Coded and analyzed more than 120 behavioral observations focused on self-regulation and transcribed over 50 recorded research sessions for analysis
• Entered and maintained research data with attention to accuracy and confidentiality; conducted 10 intake assessments with children ages 4–6 to support recruitment and participant characterization

Practicum Counselor at Institute for Individual and Family Counseling, University of Miami (2025-08 – 2026-08)

Provided supervised counseling services to 15 clients ages 4–82 presenting with varied emotional, behavioral, relational, developmental, and adjustment concerns.

• Conducted intake interviews, clinical assessments, treatment planning, individual and family counseling, progress monitoring, case conceptualization, documentation, and termination planning
• Applied developmentally responsive and evidence-informed approaches, including cognitive-behavioral, motivational interviewing, play-based, family-systems, and mindfulness
• Participated in clinical seminars and supervision focused on psychopathology, ethics, multicultural counseling, assessment, treatment planning, and evidence-based mental health care

Practicum Counselor at Miami Job Corps Center (2026-02 – 2026-08)

Provided supervised individual and group counseling to 10 young adults ages 18–26 in a residential vocational-training setting, addressing adjustment, anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, self-esteem, relationships, and career-related stress.

• Facilitated psychoeducational and therapeutic groups, including CBT-informed interventions, coping-skills training, and crisis-aware safety assessment
• Completed clinical documentation, coordinated care with multidisciplinary staff, contributed to referrals and continuity planning, and supported clients' academic, vocational, and psychosocial functioning
• Organized and presented a Mental Health Awareness Month event for approximately 200 participants, integrating psychoeducation, interactive activities, coping-skills stations, and community mental health resources

Lead Counselor Intern at Summer Treatment Program for Pre-K (2023-06 – 2023-08)

Supervised four counselors and one teacher serving eight preschool-aged children in an evidence-based behavioral treatment program; supported measurable gains in behavior and social skills.

• Implemented behavior-modification procedures, communicated progress with caregivers, and completed rating scales, treatment summaries, and staff evaluations

Counselor Intern at Summer Treatment Program for Pre-K (2022-06 – 2022-08)

Delivered evidence-based behavioral and reading interventions across classroom and recreational settings and tracked daily behavioral responses for 18 children.

Guest Lecturer, Motivational Interviewing at University of Miami (2026-07 – 2026-07)

Delivered an hour-long applied lesson for 60 graduate students on motivational interviewing spirit and techniques, including OARS, change talk, sustain talk, ambivalence, and stage-matched clinical responses.

Learning Assistant, Research Methods and Analysis at STEM Transformation Institute, Florida International University (2023-01 – 2024-05)

Facilitated collaborative problem-solving and inclusive classroom participation for 45 students in an undergraduate research methods and analysis course.

• Delivered a 30-minute lecture to 45 students on qualitative research design and research ethics, explaining core methodological concepts and facilitating discussion of ethical decision-making

College Mentor at Panther2Panther Mentor Collective, Florida International University (2022-08 – 2023-05)

Mentored three first- and second-year students in academic planning, campus engagement, professional development, and adjustment to college life.

Classroom Facilitator at Sports Konnect (2023-08 – 2024-05)

Designed structured academic and recreational programming for elementary students and adapted instructional methods to diverse learning needs.

Mentor at Sports Konnect (2023-01 – 2023-04)

Mentored at-risk youth through sport, science, and mental health awareness programming and supported after-school educational and social-development activities.

Facilitator at Lotus House (2022-10 – 2022-11)

Facilitated arts, crafts, and STEM activities and provided academic support to children and youth experiencing housing instability.

Master of Science in Education in Mental Health Counseling – University of Miami (2024-08 – 2026-07)

Bachelor of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology – Florida International University (2020-08 – 2024-04)