Harley Atkinson
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Compassionate and adaptable professional with experience providing emotional support, crisis management, and behavioral observation in diverse care settings. Skilled in active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution, with a strong ability to build trust and foster a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. Dedicated to empowering individuals and contributing to their personal growth through client-centered care.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Pet Sitter
Rover.com
San Antonio, TX
10.2021 - Current
- Communicated with clients regularly, and demonstrated sensitivity to owners' needs by providing updates and reassurance to help them feel connected and supported.
- Established trust with pet owners, and demonstrated reliability in caring for their pets, while ensuring peace of mind during their absence.
- Developed long-term relationships with clients by demonstrating dependability, adaptability, and attention to individual needs.
- Maintained detailed records of each visit, including tasks completed, medications administered, food and water intake.
- Provided overnight stays at client homes during vacations or business trips to ensure continuity of care for their pets.
Seasonal Lifeguard Operations Supervisor
Beach Waterpark
South Padre Island, TX
02.2016 - 09.2024
- Supervised a team of 40 lifeguards, providing mentorship, training, and ongoing feedback to foster professional growth and teamwork.
- Mediated conflicts between team members or guests, promoting understanding and collaborative solutions in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Provided emotional support and reassurance to parents and family members during distressing situations, including incidents of lost children and medical emergencies.
- Managed high-stress situations with distressed guests, using active listening and conflict resolution techniques to maintain a safe, welcoming environment.
- Aided in weekly training sessions to stay up-to-date in water rescue techniques, lifesaving skills, and multiple lifesaving certifications (CPR, Basic First Aid, AED use, and Disease Prevention Transmission).
- Performed periodic audits of operational processes in order to identify potential risks or areas of improvement.
Direct Care Technician
Innova Grace Recovery Center
San Antonio, TX
12.2022 - 04.2023
- Monitored clients' behaviors, moods, and interactions, documenting observations to support individualized treatment plans.
- Provided day-to-day emotional and practical support to clients with mental health and trauma-related challenges, fostering a safe and supportive environment.
- Applied trauma-informed principles to interactions, ensuring sensitivity to clients' experiences, and promoting a sense of safety and empowerment.
- Responded to emotional or behavioral crises, employing de-escalation techniques, and ensuring client safety in accordance with established protocols.
- Facilitated therapeutic groups designed to help clients develop healthy coping skills and self-esteem.
- Worked closely with therapists, case managers, and medical staff to support clients' treatment plans and shared progress updates.
- Empowered clients to articulate their needs and goals, supporting their confidence and independence in decision-making.
In-Home Caregiver
En Su Casa Caregivers
San Antonio, TX
09.2020 - 02.2021
- Developed trusting relationships with clients by offering compassionate emotional support and addressing feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or distress.
- Used active listening techniques to validate clients' concerns, providing a safe space for them to express their thoughts and emotions.
- Observed clients' emotional and behavioral patterns and adapted care strategies based on clients' evolving needs, promoting their overall well-being.
- Encouraged clients to participate in daily living activities, building their confidence and fostering a sense of autonomy.
- Established professional and compassionate relationships by balancing empathy with clear boundaries, ensuring ethical and effective care.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX05-2021
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The University of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TXSkills
- Compassionate client care
- Client documentation
- Active listening
- Crisis management and de-escalation
- Conflict resolution
- Trust-building and rapport development
- Boundary setting and professionalism
- Adaptability and problem-solving
Research Projects
- Resilience & Hope: An Integrated Counseling Approach for Adolescents with Depression
- Conducted research for the development of a seven-month counseling program that addresses depression and suicidal ideations in adolescents aged 12-18.
- Investigated early intervention strategies, including individual and group therapy, family involvement, and peer support, to enhance resilience, improve coping mechanisms, and create a safe, inclusive environment.
- Findings emphasized the importance of early treatment in reducing depressive symptoms and fostering emotional well-being in adolescents.
- Eating Disorders in Couples & Families
- Conducted in-depth research on the impact of eating disorders on couples and families, focusing on treatment approaches that incorporate relational dynamics and family involvement.
- Explored evidence-based interventions, including Cognitive-Behavioral Couples Therapy (CBCT) and Multifamily Therapy (MFT), to enhance recovery outcomes and improve interpersonal relationships.
- Investigated tools such as externalization techniques and systemic approaches to empower families in supporting recovery.
Certification
- Psychological First Aid
- Mandatory Reporting Community Response for Youth and Families
- Counseling on Access to Lethal Means
- CPR and Basic First Aid
Accomplishments
Academic Honors
- Honor Roll Summer 2020
- Dean's List Fall 2020
- Dean's List Spring 2021
- Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honor Society Member 2018-2020
- Chi Alpha Member and Small Group Leader 2019-2021
- Undergraduate: 3.26 GPA (2021)
- Current: 3.91
Relevant Coursework
- Counseling Theories
- Human Development Across the Lifespan
- Career Development
- Ethical & Legal Issues in Counseling
- Diagnosis in Counseling
- Group Theory & Process
- Multicultural Counseling
- Counseling Skills
- Biopsychosocial Aspects of Addiction
- Couples & Family Counseling
- Trauma, Crisis, & Grief
Timeline
Direct Care Technician
Innova Grace Recovery Center
12.2022 - 04.2023
Pet Sitter
Rover.com
10.2021 - Current
In-Home Caregiver
En Su Casa Caregivers
09.2020 - 02.2021
Seasonal Lifeguard Operations Supervisor
Beach Waterpark
02.2016 - 09.2024
- Psychological First Aid
- Mandatory Reporting Community Response for Youth and Families
- Counseling on Access to Lethal Means
- CPR and Basic First Aid
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Texas At San Antonio
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The University of Texas At San Antonio
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