Lydia Poon

Provided individual, family, and group therapy for youth (K-12th) with various mood and behavioral disorders. Maintained a caseload of 25 students while meeting productivity standards. Developed individualized treatment plans based on the client's assessed needs.

Pre-Licensed School-Based Therapist at Clarvida Cornerstone Program (School-Based Mental Health Program) (2025-08 – Present)

• Provided individual, family, and group therapy for youth (K-12th) with various mood and behavioral disorders.
• Maintained a caseload of 25 students while meeting productivity standards.
• Developed individualized treatment plans based on the client's assessed needs.
• Collaborated with school staff monthly for coordinating care.
• Engaged and provided psychoeducation and resource linkage with families and parents biweekly regarding treatment goals and interventions.
• Conducted biopsychosocial assessments following CalAIM county guidelines to evaluate presenting issues, treatment goals, mental health history, family dynamics, and psychosocial needs.
• Maintained 100% timeliness in clinical documentation, including treatment plans, progress notes, and problem list updates, using SmartCare electronic health record (EHR) system.

Pre-Licensed Therapist Intern (Clinical Social Work) at Clarvida Catalyst Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program (2024-08 – 2025-05)

• Provided trauma-informed individual therapy to a caseload of 10 Transitional Age Youth (TAY) experiencing homelessness, psychosis, and serious mental illness, meeting clients in their homes and community settings.
• Responded to youth in crisis (ex. suicidal ideation, emotional distress, etc.) using de-escalation techniques, safety planning, linkage to emergency services, and crisis intervention strategies.
• Collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams daily —including nurses, case managers, and peer support specialists—to ensure holistic, youth-centered care coordination.

Administrative Social Work Intern & Facilitator at Aaron Price Fellows Program (2023-08 – 2024-05)

• Facilitated psychoeducational small groups for high school students, promoting emotional safety, peer connection, and personal development through structured activities and guided discussions.
• Recruited 40 students out of 100 applicants for next year's cohort based on leadership qualities, achievements, and strengths.
• Conducted assessments for 40+ youth using intake forms and evidence-based tools to identify strengths, social-emotional needs, and academic/career planning areas.
• Used surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of monthly program events by leading team debriefs and analyzing participant feedback.
• Collaborated with local social work agencies on an autoethnographic research project examining the lived experiences of social work students in San Diego, with a focus on systems-level barriers and resilience.
• Led 10 staff training sessions on topics including implicit bias, sexual harassment prevention, and risk factors affecting San Diego youth, aimed at enhancing trauma-informed, community-based practices.

College and Youth Ministry Summer Paid Intern at Chinese Bible Church San Diego (2024-06 – 2024-08)

• Leveraged prior volunteer experience in youth and college ministry to lead and mentor students through various stages of personal and spiritual development.
• Facilitated and led weekly youth and college groups, assisting in leading, teaching lesson content for youth, and forming discussion topics to foster spiritual growth and peer connection.
• Organized and executed more than 5 outreach events focused on community building, overseeing scheduling, budgeting, setup logistics, and participant engagement.
• Provided one-on-one mentorship to 3 college students on a weekly basis, applying foundational counseling techniques to support emotional well-being and personal insight.

Social Work Intern at Multikids Inclusive Academy (2023-02 – 2023-03)

• Shadowed and supported three occupational and ABA therapists in a private K–12 special education school, gaining exposure to holistic, interdisciplinary approaches to supporting neurodivergent students.
• Facilitated and prepared two psychoeducational group therapy sessions for middle school students, promoting emotional regulation, social skills, and self-awareness.
• Provided classroom assistance to teachers by supporting academic activities, adapting materials, and engaging students in individualized learning.

Remote Crisis Counselor at Crisis Text Line (2020-06 – 2021-06)

• Received 30-hour training for crisis counseling and intervention.
• Guided texters to a calm state through active listening, risk assessing, collaborative problem solving, empathy, and safety planning.
• Completed 200 hours of supporting texters dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, homelessness, and abuse.

Master of Social Work in Direct Practice – San Diego State University (2025-05)

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of California, Berkeley (2023-05)