Avril Firestone

• In-home programs provided, including rehab facilities and transitional livings. Residential sessions personally designed for each client. Privacy and safety consistently prioritized in establishing an alliance of trust. By working together with the needs of each individual, clients feel they can attain achievable goals as they learn to listen, feel, and heal their bodies from the inside out.

• Consulted with and developed appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plans for dually diagnosed patients
• Monitored behavior in individual and group sessions and intervened when necessary
• Referenced and used various therapeutic techniques, including psychodynamic, family systems, CBT and DBT
• Quickly responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and behavioral issues arose
• Conducted outreach, advocacy and rehabilitative services for regular cases and crisis intervention
• Provided counseling for relapse prevention, social issues and mental health problems
• Collaborated closely with treatment team to appropriately coordinate client care services
• Guided clients in understanding illnesses and treatment plans
• Taught clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills and functional living skills
• Documented all patient information including service plans, treatment reports and progress notes
• Created and reviewed master treatment and discharge plans for each client

Counselor duties extend from Internship to full-time position, effectively managing higher responsibilities and work involvement in all levels of care (Residential, IOP, Extended Care).

• Liaised with treatment team to discuss progress and develop ongoing plans for counseling goals
• Evaluated patient behavior, moods and other responses to devise effective treatment plans
• Executed necessary risk-assessment and mitigation strategies
• Charted and recorded information in client files
• Conducted evaluations and rehabilitation management for both inpatient and outpatient facilities
• Co-facilitated support groups and provided individual counseling to clients dealing with substance abuse, gambling, trauma, and criminal/gang issues, in addition to those in alternative sentencing

Provided professional assistance and support to recovering women in a transitional living program, tactfully performing each of the 12 Core Functions.

• Recorded comprehensive patient histories and coordinated treatment plans with multi-disciplinary team members
• Created and reviewed reports to determine effectiveness of counseling program and make improvements
• Tracked client movement on and off unit by documenting times and destinations of clients
• Conducted Intake coordination for new clients
• Monitored and administered prescribed psychotropic medications
• Facilitated weekly house groups

Voluntarily counseled and case managed teens aged 12-18 with severe behavioral/mental health and chemical dependency issues at a group-home facility for DCFS clients.

• Offered guidance in group settings to address self-esteem and anger management issues
• Provided cognitive-based counseling to assist with challenge and crisis resolution
• Followed-up with outside mental health service providers to coordinate in-school support
• Encouraged clients to express feelings and discuss what was happening at home and helped each person develop insight into personal lives and relationships
• Actualized counseling interventions to address clients' issues regarding conflict resolution, situational adjustment, depression, anxiety, abuse and substance abuse or dependency identification
• Organized treatment projects that focused on problem solving skills and creative thinking

• Facilitated community outreach to expand participation and support by organizing monthly 12-step groups at state correctional facility.

• Monitored office management and reception. Documented and calculated accounting/forensics information including tax returns, billing statements, accounts payable/receivable, invoices, legal cases, etc. Assisted CPA partners with personal work. Experienced with all Microsoft software.

• Employed variety of materials for children to explore and manipulate in learning activities and imaginative play
• Led developmentally appropriate activities for disabled children
• Carefully monitored children's play activities to identify additional learning opportunities or behavioral issues
• Promoted welcoming environment to engage children to learn and play in a safe setting
• Encouraged children by using positive reinforcement to improve self-esteem and communication skills
• Supported children's emotional and social development by adapting communication tactics for differing client needs