Compassionate and empathetic school and mental health professional with over two decades of experience in program oversight and student advocacy. Skilled in group therapy facilitation and fostering team collaboration, leading to measurable improvements in overall student well-being. Committed to using evidence-based practices to achieve positive results in challenging environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Student Support/MTSS Lead Facilitator
Allegro Charter School of Music
08.2024 - Current
Lead facilitator with a team of administrators, school nurse, counselors, deans, and a school psychologist.
Conduct regular meetings with team members to discuss issues related to student support services.
Analyze and update data for our multi-tiered interventions, including the changes in our MTSS model and manual.
Establish partnerships with external organizations to expand student support services.
Develop innovative ways of increasing engagement among students, utilizing the Student Support Services department.
Involve parents in student learning to increase family interaction and student support.
Create and maintain up-to-date documentation of support procedures of multi-tiered interventions to ensure integrity of practices.
Mental Health Counselor, Internal
Allegro Charter School of Music
North Charleston, SC
08.2022 - Current
Lead facilitator and collaborator for Student Support, MTSS, Crisis, and Individual Problem-Solving teams.
Develop and implement a school-based mental health program for middle and high school students.
Led students in individual, family, and group trauma-focused therapy sessions.
Participate in weekly leadership team meetings to discuss student staffing cases, and review individualized mental health and educational plans.
Educate staff members on the importance of providing culturally competent services to diverse populations.
Facilitate psychoeducation groups on topics such as stress management, coping skills, and relapse prevention.
Act as a student and family advocate, coordinating required services, and resolving emergency problems in crisis situations.
Developed and implemented treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
Provide case management services, including linking students to necessary social services or community supports.
Coordinate with external agencies regarding collaborative programming initiatives aimed at addressing mental illness.
School-Based Mental Health Counselor
Berkeley County Department of Mental Health
Moncks Corner, SC
10.2019 - 07.2022
Served as the lead clinician in two different school settings.
Maintained detailed records of client progress in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
Provided individual and group mental health counseling in alignment with evidence-based practice and clinical models.
Collaborated with school personnel and leadership to facilitate conferences and meetings to discuss emotional, behavioral, and educational issues, to best support students in their school setting.
Developed and implemented treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
Collected information about students through interviews, observations, or tests.
Acted as a student advocate, coordinating required services, and resolving emergency problems in crisis situations.
Recognized by school personnel for providing exceptional student advocacy and collaboration skills.
Inpatient Therapeutic Assistant
MUSC Health Institute of Psychiatry
Charleston, SC
10.2019 - 10.2021
QBS Certified Safety Care Trainer for child and adolescent staff members.
Unit lead for the Shared Governance Council, and the Patient Family Advisory Council.
Facilitated therapeutic groups focused on individualized goals, crisis intervention, and crisis stabilization.
Collaborated and advocated for the adolescent population to bring cohesion among patients, families, and council members to ensure collaboration, and discussed patient care, healthcare policies, and procedures specific to their needs.
Provided individual and group counseling focused on trauma-focused modalities in a therapeutic milieu.
Conducted assessments of clients' physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
Mental Health Consultant
Goodnight Counseling & Advocacy
Davidson, NC
09.2013 - 10.2019
Gathered and researched information about community mental health needs or resources used in conjunction with therapy.
Educated family members about mental health issues and treatments.
Referred clients to external resources for additional support.
Acted as client advocate, coordinating required services and resolving emergency problems in crisis situations.
Program Manager
Children's Hope Alliance
Statesville, NC
08.2009 - 09.2012
Provided supervision of the day treatment program and staff, including the day-to-day function of the program, training and supervision of staff, submittal and reauthorization of billable services, budgeting, and marketing.
Guided the strategic planning and goal-setting process for programs, aligning initiatives with organizational vision and priorities.
Fostered a collaborative program environment, promoting teamwork and cross-functional cooperation.
Completed patient assessments and admissions, including comprehensive evaluations, safety plans, discharge planning, and community referrals.
Provided individual and family groups focused on behavior modification, family dynamics, crisis intervention and stabilization, and trauma-informed therapy.
Education
Master of Arts - Human Services: Marriage And Family Counseling
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
11-2007
Bachelor of Science - Psychology: Human Services Counseling
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
05-2003
Skills
SHAPE school team administrator
Trauma-focused interventions
Team building and coaching
Student and family advocacy
Effective communication
Visionary leadership
Community Resource Liaison
Program development and evaluation
Team and administration collaboration
Child Mental Health
Flexible and adaptable
Individual and group counseling skills
Accomplishments
Student Support and MTSS Facilitator, Allegro Charter
American Counseling Association, Child and Adolescent Counseling Member
NAMI, Charleston Charter Member
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Student Support/MTSS Lead Facilitator
Allegro Charter School of Music
08.2024 - Current
Mental Health Counselor, Internal
Allegro Charter School of Music
08.2022 - Current
School-Based Mental Health Counselor
Berkeley County Department of Mental Health
10.2019 - 07.2022
Inpatient Therapeutic Assistant
MUSC Health Institute of Psychiatry
10.2019 - 10.2021
Mental Health Consultant
Goodnight Counseling & Advocacy
09.2013 - 10.2019
Program Manager
Children's Hope Alliance
08.2009 - 09.2012
Master of Arts - Human Services: Marriage And Family Counseling
Liberty University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology: Human Services Counseling