Marissa Peña
Mental Health Professional | Educator | Training Developer
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About
Licensed Master Social Worker and educator with more than a decade of combined experience in secondary education, clinical social work, behavioral health, and professional training. Former secondary teacher with extensive expertise designing curriculum, facilitating learning, mentoring students, and leading competitive academic programs. Current clinical practice includes mental health assessment, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, therapeutic support, and interdisciplinary collaboration with juvenile justice and behavioral health settings.
Experience
Juvenile Detention Counselor - University Health - Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center - San Antonio, TX
(2024-07)
- Conduct mental health assessments and suicide risk screenings for youth in juvenile detention setting
- Provide crisis intervention, therapeutic support, and individual counseling addressing moderate-to-acute mental health and behavioral concerns
- Monitor youth requiring enhanced observation and assess changes in safety and clinical practice
- Collaborate with behavioral health, medical, probation, and detention professionals to coordinate care
- Provide monthly mental health training to incoming detention officers through JDC Academy Officers' Training
Group Facilitator - Charlie Health - Remote
(2024-10 - 2025-09)
- Facilitated structured therapeutic groups using evidence-based curricula across diverse age groups and clinical presentations
- Created psychologically safe learning environments that encouraged participation, reflection, and peer interaction
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary providers and maintained clinical documentation
Inpatient Therapist/PRN - San Antonio Behavioral Healthcare Hospital - Remote
(2024-06 - 2024-10)
- Facilitated daily CBT-based groups for patients experiencing mental health and substance use concerns
- Provided individual therapeutic interventions and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams
- Provided psychoeducation and resources to patients, families, and caregivers
School Social Worker - Carmody Middle School - Lakewood, CO
(2023-08 - 2024-05)
- Provide individual and group counseling to students experiencing emotional, behavioral, social, and academic challenges
- Conducted psychosocial assessments and developed interventions, including behavior intervention plans
- Collaborated with IEP teams, educators, families, and school personnel to support student outcomes
- Provide crisis intervention, advocacy, and connection to community resources
Founder & Principal Consultant - Kind Mind Education & Consulting - San Antonio, TX
(2026)
- Develop professionals educational curricula for K-12 educators, mental health professionals, and youth-serving organizations
- Translate clinical research, theory, and evidence-informed practice into accessible instruction and practical learning opportunities
- Design learning objectives, presentations, case studies, participant activities, facilitator materials, and evaluation tools
- Facilitate professional learning addressing suicide prevention, youth engagement, trauma-informed care, student behavior, and mental health
Graduate Research Assistant - University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley School of Social Work
(2022-09 - 2023-05)
- Contributed to research examining LBGTQ+ and Latinx mental health and health disparities
- Assisted with qualitative research and interviews examining the experiences of Latinx gay and transgender men
- Supported research coordination, documentation, scheduling, and project timelines
- Gained experience connecting social work research, lived experience, and professional practice
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work - University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley (2020 - 2023)
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology - University of Texas - Brownsville (2014 - 2015)
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology - Texas State University (2011 - 2014)
