Cara Michalak
Kent,OH
Summary
Highly-skilled Behavioral Therapist with 25 years of experience helping clients with debilitating social and emotional issues become efficient at dealing with daily challenges such as stressful work and family situations, legal issues and SMD population. Flexible clinician comfortable working in teams or as sole counselor. Trauma certified and familiar with newest treatment programs and research. Comfortable working in office or with home based services. Accomplished Behavioral Therapist with 25 years of experience counseling individuals and families with social, emotional and behavioral disorders. Positive, vibrant team member with focus on accurately identifying issues and evaluating best techniques for treatment. Dedicated to offering quality services and maintaining knowledge of latest industry advancements by attending professional conferences and continuing education courses.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavioral Health Therapist, LPCC-S
Family & Community Services
Kent, OH
12.2011 - Current
- Developed and implemented intensive individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior and other psychosocial issues.
- Recommended therapeutic action plans and treatments based on results from behavioral assessments.
- Administered personality assessments, behavioral assessments, and assessments of intellectual functioning.
- Facilitated and conducted group and individual therapy sessions to address PTSD, anger management, substance abuse and grief.
- Counseled individuals, groups and families to bring awareness of problems, deal with crisis situations and develop action plans.
- Referred clients to specialists, educational outreach programs or social service agencies for additional interventional needs.
- Encouraged clients and family members to practice and use skills and strategies for confronting problems constructively.
- Evaluated treatment techniques after sufficient time periods to determine effectiveness for each client.
- Consulted with other therapists, public and private service agencies, and university researchers to advise clients on resources available.
- Counseled clients individually to provide strategies for becoming aware of strengths and adjusting socially to environments.
- Trained in EMDR therapy
- Trained and knowledgeable with Carelogic, electronic documentation and records keeping system
Case Manager/Therapist
Coleman Behavioral Health
Ravenna, OH
09.1996 - 10.2011
- Increased referral rates by providing excellent service and building meaningful relationships with patients and caregivers.
- Consulted with clinicians to devise and manage ongoing care plans for at-risk patients and reduce use of hospital bed days
- Helped patients receive appropriate, high-quality care with reasonable results.
- Evaluated treatment plans against individual goals and healthcare standards.
- Provided case management services, emergency mental health assessments, and therapy in Portage County Jail. Also, was Portage County Court Liaison and collaborated with County officials, court officials, local law enforcement agencies and other mental health professionals in developing county's preliminary Mental Health Court
- Forensic Monitor for Portage County
Education
Masters of Education - Community Counseling
05.2005
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
05.1993
Skills
- Psychological interventions
- Trained in EMDR therapy
- Dialectal Behavioral therapy
- Cognitive behavior therapy
- Behavior modification
- Treatment plans
- Group therapy
- Expertise in crisis intervention techniques
- Trained in indicators of child abuse
- Clinical interventions
- Case documentation
- Mental health evaluations
- Psychotropic medications knowledge
- Knowledge of juvenile justice system
- Case management proficiency
- Navigating and knowable of community resources
- Adept at treatment and discharge planning
- Learning disability awareness
Timeline
Behavioral Health Therapist, LPCC-S - Family & Community Services
12.2011 - Current
Case Manager/Therapist - Coleman Behavioral Health
09.1996 - 10.2011
Kent State University - Masters of Education, Community Counseling
Kent State University - Bachelor of Science, Psychology
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