Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic
Dessaline Allison, Sr

Dessaline Allison, Sr

Counselor
Houston,TX

Summary

Compassionate and dedicated Counseling Professional with 8+ years of experience in program coordination, case management, and youth development. Proven track record in developing and implementing effective treatment plans and curricula and enhancing client outcomes. Excel at conducting assessments and providing direct care, fostering collaborative relationships.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Counselor Intern

Wellspring Family & Community Institute
01.2024 - Current
  • Assisting with client assessments and intakes. Conducted client assessments by using structured interviews and standardized tools, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of client needs and goals.
  • Observing and co-facilitating individual and group therapy sessions.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and document treatment plans, aligning services to the specific needs of clients.
  • Maintaining client records and ensuring documentation is up-to-date.
  • Preparing reports and other administrative tasks.
  • Participating in team meetings and case discussions.
  • Participating in professional development opportunities.
  • Seeking constructive feedback to improve counseling skills.

Program Coordinator

Star of Hope
01.2023 - 01.2025
  • Collaborate with the Manager of Program Services to plan, coordinate, and administer activities of the Biblical Counseling Program, TLC, Program Classes, GED, and Case Management to include developing, implementing, and coordinating related procedures, processes, services, and systems; train employees in the proper methods and procedures as needed.
  • Develop, plan, update, and implement MDC Program components and activities including, but not limited to, curriculum, schedules, rosters, volunteers, policies and procedures, systems for tracking progress and program effectiveness, extra-curricular activities, attendance records, monthly graduation commencement, seminars, conferences, workshops, outside and other related activities; develop and coordinate new ideas and concepts for program themes, materials, resources to supplement, expand or replace existing program components.
  • Act as liaison with other programs and offices within and outside Star of Hope to ensure a continuum of care; attend staffing meetings and other meetings pertinent to the welfare of the facility and clients. Maintain documentation of attendance and a brief description of the event.
  • Assist in coordinating interns and volunteers who report to the department, including scheduling and delegating tasks.
  • Monitor and evaluate Programs (Case Worthy), GED, Classes, and Teams) effectiveness, investigate trends, and recommend and implement modifications to improve effectiveness.
  • Establish and maintain quality relationships with the Resident Service Manager and the Senior Director of MDC

TLC Case Manager

Star of Hope
01.2022 - 01.2023
  • Coordinate with the Manager of Program Services and Manager of Program Support II in following up on all TLC men who have transitioned to independent living, including visits and phone calls, providing counseling as needed, developing the Alumni, assisting in placement for independent living, furniture needs, and spiritual growth.
  • Develop and implement a transition plan to include levels of growth defined by specific curricula and timelines so that clients exit TLC successfully and self-sufficiently.
  • Manage a caseload of an assigned group of men and shepherd all the TLC men. This would include daily walking the halls, encouraging them, and isolating any immediate needs while providing discipline as needed. Detailed case management notes and supporting other case managers while working with the Career Development Counselor in any career development paths, as outlined for the men, are also required.
  • Creates Treatment/Action plans for all TLC men while following up to ensure all goals are met.
  • Create transition plans as needed for men transitioning to independent living, following up through Alumni contacts.
  • Communicate with the Manager of Program Services on all pertinent information concerning each program member on the assigned caseload.

Youth Development Coach

Harris County Juvenile Probation Department
01.2015 - 01.2023
  • Responsible for the direct care of clients; teaching, training, and developing various curricula, providing personal development counseling, discipline, spiritual recovery, and case management assistance and support to ensure excellence and integrity.
  • Teach Recreation Class, Life Skills, 12-step Class, Relapse Prevention, and Spiritual Skills in accordance with the essential principles of the Christian faith.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of the personal development curricula being taught and develop and/or purchase new curricula to improve treatment outcomes. Coordinate all outside personal development endeavors with the institutions involved.
  • Coordinate with the Life Management Counselor to determine which clients have the most urgent need for personal development and coordinate appropriate strategies to enhance their development.
  • Communicate with the Workforce Development Counselor to identify those clients who are appropriate for the career development program and help facilitate their transition into that program.
  • Maintain current knowledge of personal development issues and related topics through continuing education.
  • Provide direct care to a temporarily assigned caseload during the absence of their regular case manager. This includes providing both positive and negative consequences for client behavior, locker checks, and administering Breathalyzer and/or urinalysis tests. Deal with other related client issues that may arise.

Personal Development Instructor

Star of Hope
01.2019 - 01.2022
  • Responsible for the direct care of clients; teaching, training, and developing various curricula, providing personal development counseling, discipline, spiritual recovery, and case management assistance and support to ensure excellence and integrity.
  • Teach Recreation Class, Life Skills, 12-step Class, Relapse Prevention, and Spiritual Skills in accordance with the essential principles of the Christian faith.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of the personal development curricula being taught and develop and/or purchase new curricula to improve treatment outcomes. Coordinate all outside personal development endeavors with the institutions involved.
  • Coordinate with the Life Management Counselor to determine which clients have the most urgent need for personal development and coordinate appropriate strategies to enhance their development.
  • Communicate with the Workforce Development Counselor to identify those clients who are appropriate for the career development program and help facilitate their transition into that program.
  • Maintain current knowledge of personal development issues and related topics through continuing education.
  • Provide direct care to a temporary assigned caseload during the absence of their regular case manager. This includes providing both positive and negative consequences for client behavior, locker checks, and administering Breathalyzer and/or urinalysis tests. Deals with other related client issues that may arise.

Chief of Chaplains

Armed Forces of Liberia
01.2008 - 01.2014
  • Provide religious support to the Liberian military across the full spectrum of operations. Meet spiritual needs, lead worship, counsel, teach troops, care pastorally for all, encourage ethical conduct, honor the dead, nurture the wounded, and give hope to the weary.
  • Supervised, mentored, and coached positive family life programs. Teach soldiers and their families marriage and family life education programs and curriculum.
  • Facilitated and provided training on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and related stressors for soldiers and their families.
  • Recruited, trained, supervised, led, and regularly evaluated chaplain staff and Unit Ministry Team.
  • Assign and reassign all Chaplain Assignments and establish a career development life cycle and personnel management authority for the Chaplain Session and religious education specialists.
  • Direct and supervise all aspects of recruiting and accessioning qualified clergy from religious organizations.
  • Determine all religious support requirements relative to doctrine, organization, training, material, leader development, education, personnel, and facilities.
  • Establish policies and provide management for the budgeting and resourcing of religious support.

Education

Doctor of Education - Community Care & Counseling: Marriage & Family Counseling

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
05.2025

Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
01.2024

Bachelor of Arts - Theology

African Methodist Episcopal University
08-2002

Skills

  • Six years as a military officer (Captain) Qualified Public Affairs Officer and Chief of Chaplains
  • Twenty-seven plus years of experience in pastoral ministry, counseling, consulting, life coaching, mentoring, leadership training, and professional development
  • Highly organized, experienced, resourceful, detail-oriented and results-focused
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, counseling, and presentation skills
  • Supportive team worker, who takes initiative and is committed, responsible, reliable, and dependable
  • Devoted people helper, careful listener, and peace advocate
  • Good communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills
  • Skilled in multitasking, flexibility, and time management
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Relapse prevention
  • Multicultural competence
  • Building rapport
  • Empathy development
  • Psychoeducation

Certification

  • CERTIFICATE IN ADVANCED CHAPLAIN COURSE International Association of Evangelical Chaplains – Monrovia
  • CERTIFICATE IN 40 HOURS BASIC CHAPLAIN COURSE Association for Christian Conferences, Teaching & Services - Yorktown, VA
  • CERTIFICATE IN COMBAT STRESS & RESILIENCY United States Africa Command – Djibouti
  • DIPLOMA IN AMERICAN LANGUAGE COURSE Defense Language Institute - San Antonio, TX
  • DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS QUALIFICATION COURSE Defense Information School - Fort Meade, MD –
  • CERTIFICATE IN BASIC CHAPLAINS COURSE-PHASE I International Association of Evangelical Chaplains – Monrovia
  • CERTIFICATE IN MILITARY EVANGELISM Military Evangelism Observation - Seoul, South Korea
  • CERTIFICATE IN COMBAT TRAUMA HEALING Association of Military Christian Fellowships – Abuja
  • ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING The College of West Africa Junior College - Monrovia

Affiliations

  • Texas Counseling Association
  • American Counseling Association

Timeline

Counselor Intern

Wellspring Family & Community Institute
01.2024 - Current

Program Coordinator

Star of Hope
01.2023 - 01.2025

TLC Case Manager

Star of Hope
01.2022 - 01.2023

Personal Development Instructor

Star of Hope
01.2019 - 01.2022

Youth Development Coach

Harris County Juvenile Probation Department
01.2015 - 01.2023

Chief of Chaplains

Armed Forces of Liberia
01.2008 - 01.2014

Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Walden University

Doctor of Education - Community Care & Counseling: Marriage & Family Counseling

Liberty University

Bachelor of Arts - Theology

African Methodist Episcopal University

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Dessaline Allison, SrCounselor