Alan Avina
Chula Vista,CA
Summary
Experienced in the mental health field as a behavioral specialist, interventionist, and mentor. Flexible, adaptable, enthusiastic, empathetic, and knowledgeable in behavioral modification based practices. With intention of pursuing a clinical counseling graduate education at California State University San Marcos.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavior Interventionist
New Alternatives Inc. , Therapeutic Behavioral Services
San Diego, CA
07.2025 - Current
- Promote and teach emotional regulation, coping skills, passive communication and active listening skills.
- 1 on 1 intensive behavioral interventions.
- Reinforce client's positive behavioral changes, consistency, and predictability.
- Engage in Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) to understand client's behaviors.
- Help client's in developing routines/schedules and healthy habits.
- Explore emotional identification and expression through client preferred activities in order for client to develop emotional awareness.
- Provide reassurance and validation through active listening to promote self-esteem growth.
- Collaborate with clinical director's, case managers, and coaches to follow up on client's designated care plan's and growth.
- Deescalate emotional dysregulation, anger outburst , depressive episodes through structure and appropriate interventions.
- Write clinical service notes/ progress notes after each service.
- Develop client specific interventions through visual, expressive, and receptive aids to promote client communication skills.
- Provide bilingual services.
- Teach and model basic parenting skills .
- Trained in Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and Motivational Interviewing.
- Introduce alternatives for communication to enhance parent-child communication and family dynamics.
Behavioral Therapist
Absolute Therapy Services
San Diego, CA
01.2023 - Current
- 1 on 1 therapy with clients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Promote development of client's verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- Engage client's in Direct Trial Training (DTT) through client preferred interactive activities.
- Aid client in developing adaptive skills to promote client independence through positive reinforcement.
- Track and collect data to aid in client's specific treatment planning and assessments.
- Promote client's learning through positive reinforcement and prompting.
- Collaborate with Registered Behavioral Therapist and Board Certified Behavioral Analyst in following client's designated treatment plan.
- Provide training and support to incoming Behavioral Therapist.
- Aid client's in identifying emotions.
- Teach emotional regulation, coping skills, and scheduling/routines.
- Redirect client's appropriately.
- Write direct intervention notes following ABA therapy services.
AVID Tutor
Chula Vista High School
San Diego, CA
10.2019 - 07.2025
- Lead and supervise tutors.
- Facilitate group activities and discussions.
- 1 on 1 engagement.
- Group engagement.
- Assist, Engage, and interact with students.
- Aid students ages 14-18 in developing essential habits and skills for college readiness.
- Work with students on organization skills and behaviors.
- Facilitate small group workshops focusing on student's ability to present challenging school related material.
- Promoting student engagement with peers and developing critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Grade students binders weekly.
- Collaborate with teachers in developing teaching strategies for student academic improvements.
- Promote academic growth by reinforcing outstanding academic and behavioral performance.
Delivery driver and Assistant Manager
Papa John’s, Chula Vista
Chula Vista, CA
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Deliver pizzas efficiently, making sure product is correct before delivery and arrives on time.
- Handle monetary transactions with accuracy and safety.
- Practice safe driving and navigation to ensure safety.
- Reroute delivery drivers to safely deliver pizzas.
- Open store and prep ingredients for the day.
- Dispatch drivers using the fastest and safest routes.
- Manage dough to prepare high-quality pizza and menu items ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Clean and organize prepping area to ensure sanitary conditions.
- Resolve customer complaints to ensure overall customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Operate ovens and dishwasher area.
- Contributed to a positive work environment.
Catering, Grill Attendant
Sodexo, Point Loma Nazarene University
01.2018 - Current
- Offer quality food service to clients.
- Set up and cater events booked by Point Loma Nazarene University.
- Operate grill station to prepare high-quality meals for students and staff.
- Operate dishwasher.
- Communicate with kitchen staff regarding orders, client preferences, and allergens.
- Cater the San Diego Club 33 Rotary Club.
- Front of the house cook.
- Clean, organize, and pull catering equipment.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences
California State University, San Marcos
San Marcos, California, CA05-2025
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, CA06-2023
High School Diploma -
Chula Vista Senior High School
Chula Vista, CA06-2018
Skills
- Fluent in English and Spanish, Charismatic, Patient, Empathetic, Active listener, Articulate, Engaged, Enthusiast, Open minded, Willing
- Crisis intervention strategies
- Applied behavior analysis
- Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Intervention planning
- Documentation and reporting
- Functional Behavioral Assessment
- Trauma Informed Care (TIC)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Conflict Resolution
- Basic Parenting support and strategies
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Facilitating group settings
Accomplishments
- Principal’s Honor Roll, Dean's List.
- Finalist of the California State University San Marcos Innovation Challenge 2025
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Behavior Interventionist
New Alternatives Inc. , Therapeutic Behavioral Services
07.2025 - Current
Behavioral Therapist
Absolute Therapy Services
01.2023 - Current
Delivery driver and Assistant Manager
Papa John’s, Chula Vista
01.2020 - 01.2023
AVID Tutor
Chula Vista High School
10.2019 - 07.2025
Catering, Grill Attendant
Sodexo, Point Loma Nazarene University
01.2018 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences
California State University, San Marcos
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Southwestern College
High School Diploma -
Chula Vista Senior High School