Gabriela Barragan
Shelbyville,IN
Summary
Compassionate Child and Youth Mental Health Specialist skilled in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Proven ability to develop individualized treatment plans that enhance client well-being and promote effective collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.
Dedicated mental health professional with extensive experience in crisis intervention and motivational interviewing. Known for building strong rapport with diverse populations and implementing effective treatment strategies. Committed to improving client outcomes through compassionate support and collaborative care.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Child and Youth Mental Health Specialist
Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare
Conroe, TX
09.2025 - 01.2026
- Conducted assessments to determine client needs and develop individualized treatment plans (Revery Plans, TRR Assessments and CANS assessments).
- Monitored over 28 client's behavior and documented changes to inform care adjustments.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate comprehensive care for clients, and provide comprehensive services and support for patients.
- Developed rapport with diverse patient populations, fostering trust and open communication during therapy sessions.
- Provided crisis intervention support, de-escalating situations effectively to ensure safety.
- Educated clients and families about mental health resources and coping strategies.
- Maintained accurate records in compliance with regulatory standards and organizational policies.
- Ensured safety of patients through close observation during high-risk situations such as suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors. Monitored patients and assessed suicide risks.
- Provided compassionate support during times of crisis or acute distress while maintaining professional boundaries and ethical standards.
Immigration Detention Case Manager
Department Of Homeland Security Headquarters
Houston, TX
07.2022 - 05.2025
- Conduct comprehensive investigations into detainee conditions and complaints.
- Interpret and apply DHS detention policies and standards to supervise and oversight detention facilities across Houston and Louisiana, totaling over 7,000 detainees on a weekly basis.
- Monitored case progress and adjusted strategies to enhance client outcomes effectively.
- Implemented process improvements that increased efficiency in case documentation and tracking systems.
- Developed new trainings and programs for staff and stakeholders, and individually trained new federal staff from all over the country.
Senior Family Immigration Paralegal
Perez & Malik
San Antonio, TX
06.2020 - 05.2022
- Managed case files and documentation for immigration petitions and applications with a caseload of 600+ cases.
- Conducted legal research to support immigration cases and client inquiries.
- Prepared and reviewed forms, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and deadlines.
- Collaborated with attorneys to develop strategies for complex immigration cases.
- Mentored junior paralegals on case management best practices and procedural guidelines.
- Liaised with government agencies to facilitate timely processing of applications and appeals.
- Met with clients to gather information, prepare documentation, and determine necessary actions.
- Explained visa rules and regulations to comply with Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Citizenship Services' standards.
- Analyzed client documentation and history to determine eligibility for immigration-related benefits.
Senior Family Immigration Paralegal
Garcia & Garcia Attorneys At Law, P
McAllen, TX
04.2015 - 05.2020
- Managed case files for immigration petitions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal standards.
- Conducted legal research to support clients' cases and enhance documentation quality.
- Drafted and prepared various immigration forms, including I-130s, I-485s, and naturalization applications.
- Coordinated communication between clients and attorneys, facilitating timely updates on case progress.
- Reviewed evidence submissions for completeness, identifying gaps and requesting additional documentation as needed.
- Streamlined workflow processes by implementing digital filing systems to improve efficiency in document retrieval.
- Filed correspondence and legal documents in correct client files and transmitted applicable documentation to courts and government agencies.
Education
Master of Science - Rehabilitation Counseling And Clinical Mental Heal
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TXBachelor of Science - Rehabilitation Services, Addictions Concentration
University of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TXSkills
- Anxiety reduction techniques and Stress management strategies application
- Resilience strengthening
- Crisis intervention and Suicide prevention
- Motivational Interviewing
- Working with victims of domestic abuse, minority groups, immigrants or foreign born population, unhoused population, and veterans with mental health challenges
- Working with individuals in confinement/detention settings (ICE detention, US MArshalls/Federal, State and County level)
- Military Cultural Competency
Certification
- CPR Certification
- CANS 6-17 1.0
- UT Health San Antonio - CoOccuring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders.
- University of Connecticut - NWIC: Wraparound.
- UT Health San Antonio - YES Waiver.
- John E. Reid & Associates - The Reid Technique of Investigative Interviewing.
- TCBHC - Skills Training and Aggression and Aggression Replacement Techniques.
- University of Connecticut - NWIC: Teams Roles in Wraparound.
- Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative - ASK: Ask about Save a Life.
- Veteran's Mental Health Department - Military Cultural Competency
- HIPPA Certified
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Child and Youth Mental Health Specialist
Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare
09.2025 - 01.2026
Immigration Detention Case Manager
Department Of Homeland Security Headquarters
07.2022 - 05.2025
Senior Family Immigration Paralegal
Perez & Malik
06.2020 - 05.2022
Senior Family Immigration Paralegal
Garcia & Garcia Attorneys At Law, P
04.2015 - 05.2020
Master of Science - Rehabilitation Counseling And Clinical Mental Heal
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Bachelor of Science - Rehabilitation Services, Addictions Concentration
University of Texas Pan American