Esther Ballesteros
New York,NY
Summary
Bilingual graduate counseling student specializing in psychological counseling with a focus on bilingual and Latina/o mental health. Experienced in trauma-informed care, case management, and crisis intervention, working with diverse populations including Spanish-speaking and justice-involved clients. Proficient in culturally responsive practices and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a strong emphasis on client engagement and documentation. Aiming to secure a clinical training site that prioritizes supervision and direct service to underserved communities.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Undergraduate Student Researcher
DBT STEPS-A Program Dissemination and Evaluation
Memphis, TN
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Collaborated with a licensed psychologist to implement and evaluate a nine-week Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT STEPS-A) skills program for 44 adolescents.
- Supported administration of emotion-regulation skills and contributed to the interpretation of pre- and post-intervention outcomes.
- Strengthened understanding of DBT skills, adolescent socio-emotional development, and evidence-based intervention assessment.
Teacher Assistant (ESL)
Hope Works
Memphis, TN
09.2024 - 05.2025
- Supported adult learned in ESL instruction within a culturally diverse environment, fostering empowerment, confidence, and cross-cultural communication.
Social Work Intern
Restore Corps
Memphis, TN
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Provided trauma-informed, client-centered support to survivors of human trafficking, with a primary focus on Spanish-speaking and and justice-involved clients.
- Assisted with client check-ins, intake processes, triage calls, and ongoing progress monitoring, maintaining detailed documentation aligned with ethical and confidentiality standards.
- Supported intensive outpatient programming by assisting with psychoeducational workshops, client onboarding, and coordination of referrals to mental health, legal, and social service providers.
- Applied cultural humility and bilingual communication skills to reduce barriers to care and strengthen trust with clients.
Peer Mentor
Peer Academic Coach
Memphis, TN
08.2023 - 05.2025
- Conducted one-on-one coaching sessions supporting students' executive functioning, stress management, motivation, and academic self-efficacy.
- Utilized collaborative goal-setting and strengths-based approaches.
Research Fellow and Classroom Support
Language & Literacy Lab / Summer Success
Memphis, TN
06.2023 - 05.2025
- Supported young children's socio-emotional, narrative, and behavioral development in a structured educational setting.
- Assisted with implementation of story-sharing circles that promoted emotional expression and peer connection, informing child development.
Teacher's Assistant
New Comer International Center
Memphis, TN
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Facilitated small-group English instruction for recently-arrived immigrant high school students from diverse background, aiding in graduation readiness, and supporting their identity development and adaptation to a new environment.
Undergraduate Researcher
Thematic Analysis
Memphis, TN
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Conducted qualitative thematic analysis of focus groups with high school students discussing stress, emotional coping, and responses to SEL and DBT-informed programming.
- Examined cultural and familial influences shaping African American and Black adolescents' engagement with mental health interventions to inform culturally responsive treatment adaptations.
Crisis Counselor
Memphis Crisis Center
Memphis, TN
04.2023 - 11.2023
- Provided emotional support and crisis intervention to individuals experiencing acute distress, suicide ideation, and interpersonal crises, responding to high-volume call environments.
- Assessed immediate safety needs, supported emotional regulation, and facilitated referrals to appropriate community and mental health resources.
- Engaged in active listening, empathic responding, de-escalation, and ethical decision-making under supervision.
Childcare Provider
The Well at Church Health
Memphis, TN
02.2023 - 05.2023
- Provided consistent, developmentally attuned care for children ages 1-13, supporting emotional regulation, attachment, and behavioral routines.
- Used play-based and creative activities to foster socio-emotional development and emotional expression.
- Collaborated closely with caregivers to monitor behavioral patterns, emotional needs, and daily functioning.
Education
Master of Arts - Psychological Counseling, Bilingual Latina/o Mental Health Counseling
Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY05.2027
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Educational Studies
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN05.2025
Skills
- Microsoft Office Google Suite
- Bilingual communication
- Emotional regulation
- Trauma-informed care
- Crisis intervention
- Psychoeducational workshops
- Client progress monitoring
- Cultural competence
- Collaborative goal setting
- Research design
- Data collection and interpretation
- Ethical research practices
- Qualitative research
- Adaptability and flexibility
Relevant Training And Coursework
- Child Abuse Identification and Reporting, New York State Education Department
- Social and Behavioral Research, CITI Program | Before You Begin: New Educator, ProSolutions Training | Recognizing and Reporting Suspected Child Abuse, ProSolutions Training
- Global Health & Mental Health, Thailand | Exploring Race, Class, & Social Enterprise, South Africa
- Relevant Coursework: Counseling Linguistically Diverse Populations, Latiné/x Psychology | Theories of Counseling | Foundations of Counseling Skills | Ethics in Counseling | Career Counseling | Psychological Disorders | Infant, Child, and Adolescent Development | Psychopathology | Evidence-Based Therapies | Social Psychology
Timeline
Undergraduate Student Researcher
DBT STEPS-A Program Dissemination and Evaluation
01.2025 - 05.2025
Teacher Assistant (ESL)
Hope Works
09.2024 - 05.2025
Social Work Intern
Restore Corps
08.2024 - 05.2025
Teacher's Assistant
New Comer International Center
09.2023 - 12.2023
Peer Mentor
Peer Academic Coach
08.2023 - 05.2025
Undergraduate Researcher
Thematic Analysis
08.2023 - 12.2023
Research Fellow and Classroom Support
Language & Literacy Lab / Summer Success
06.2023 - 05.2025
Crisis Counselor
Memphis Crisis Center
04.2023 - 11.2023
Childcare Provider
The Well at Church Health
02.2023 - 05.2023
Master of Arts - Psychological Counseling, Bilingual Latina/o Mental Health Counseling
Teachers College, Columbia University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Educational Studies
Rhodes College