Halima Lavingia
Warminster
Summary
To be committed in empowering clients and families, fostering collaboration with service providers, and improving the overall quality of care through efficient system integration and community engagement in the field of Mental Health/IDD.
Nearly 20 years of experience working in the field of Mental Health/IDD. Proficient in providing psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis and helping with treatment plans. Hands-on experience with observing behavior issues and writing up treatment plans. Excellent knowledge in encouraging patient participation in social and educational activities, and organizing group therapy sessions.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Based Therapist
Merakey
10.2024 - Current
- Provided 1:1 family therapy session using evidence-based approaches including ESFT
- Facilitated strength-based therapy to empower families and individuals to identify resources, skills and coping skills for stressors
- Monitored monthly family progress
- Provided crisis intervention and support to families experiencing acute challenges
- Helped with de-escalation during crisis situations and developed safety plans
- Educated families about different community resources and assisted with accessing the resources and services, including financial aid, mental health care and educational support
- Documented all therapy sessions, progress notes and treatment plans in AVATAR to monitor progress of families
Blended Case Manager
Merakey
06.2014 - 10.2024
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify client’s needs, strengths and challenges
- Held a caseload of 30 clients.
- Developed individualized service plans in collaboration with clients to identify the client’s and family needs
- Monitored and updated plans every six months to monitor progress of goals
- Coordinated care with MH providers, social services and community resources to ensure holistic care
- Made referrals to specialized services including medical assistance, housing, social activities, therapy, educational advocacy and employment support
- Helped advocate for clients and families in education meetings to make sure they received necessary services and resources
- Helped clients navigate different systems including COMPASS, Social Security benefits
- Documented in AVATAR the progress notes to show progress of clients goals
- Helped clients access financial assistance programs, food, housing and transportation
- Assisted clients and families get registered with IDD/A waiver and service coordination
- Assisted clients with getting linked to doctors to get evaluated for IDD/A waiver registration purposes
- Coordinated care with service coordinator agencies once clients had been identified for IDD/A waiver
Psychiatric Assistant
FAIRVIEW HOSPITAL
07.2004 - 04.2009
- Company Overview: Adult Mental Health Unit
- Provided 1:1 session to patients with mental illness
- Helped with new intakes and admissions on unit
- Helped RNs monitor patients with withdrawal symptoms
- Led group therapy sessions
- Led occupational therapy groups on weekends
- Represented mental health unit in bi-monthly meetings on the betterment of the hospital with hospital administration and representatives from other departments
- Accompanied patients off unit for walks on hospital campus
- Assisted in restraining patients during patient interventions
- Assisted in CPR when required
- Monitored and provided reports on patients’ behavior patterns and physical condition to nurses and physicians
- Assisted with patient and family education on mental health
- Carried out physical contraband checks both on patients and patient rooms
- Encouraged patients to participate in social and recreational activities that develop social relationships and enhance interacting skills
- Monitored patients on suicide watch and carried out 15 minute and 30-minute checks on patients
- Assisted nursing staff with vital signs and patient daily care
- Trained new RNs and Psychiatric Assistants on mental health unit
- Daily charting and recording of patient behavior, cares and treatment plans in patient chart
- Helped case managers and nurses with discharging of patients from unit
- Adult Mental Health Unit
- Maintained accurate and up-to-date patient records, ensuring efficient communication among healthcare professionals.
- Developed strong rapport with patients through active listening and empathetic communication techniques, promoting trust in the therapeutic relationship.
Personal Care Assistant for children with Asperger’s Syndrome
Student Experience Internship Program
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Helped children with daily living skills
- Taught children interaction and social skills
- Helped children form new social relationships with other children
- Accompanied children to daily appointments and activities
- Daily charting of children’s behavior and progress
- Daily meetings with parents on the progress of their children
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
College of St.Catherine
St. Paul, MN01.2004
Skills
- Excellent Microsoft skills
- Excellent typing skills
- Speak Swahili, Hindi/Urdu
- Excellent communication skills
Timeline
Family Based Therapist
Merakey
10.2024 - Current
Blended Case Manager
Merakey
06.2014 - 10.2024
Psychiatric Assistant
FAIRVIEW HOSPITAL
07.2004 - 04.2009
Personal Care Assistant for children with Asperger’s Syndrome
Student Experience Internship Program
01.2002 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
College of St.Catherine
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