Heather Y. Edelen-DeMas
Bethlehem,PA
Summary
Hard working, dedicated, and empathetic individual with a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Psychology with a passion to become a counselor in the mental health field working with underprivileged and minority populations. Diligent individual with background in providing compassionate support and guidance to clients. Proven track record of effectively assessing needs and facilitating appropriate services. Demonstrated expertise in active listening and conflict resolution.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Intake Counselor
Roxbury Treatment Center
01.2008
- This positions main objective were to take and process intake phone calls from potential consumers, crisis centers, and other referring agencies. In addition to these responsibilities, the intake counselor contacts consumers funding sources to begin the process of funding treatment. Upon consumer’s arrival the intake counselor administers an intake assessment, provides explanations and has the consumer sign consent forms for admittance.
- Roxbury Treatment Center delivers services to individuals and their families who are suffering directly or indirectly from the ramifications associated with chemical dependency and mental health concerns. Integrated care is provided for adults presenting with mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse concerns.
Bachelor’s Level Therapist (Therapist I)
VisionQuest South Mountain
01.2007
- Therapist I position was responsible for development of treatment plans for adjudicated youth assigned to their caseload. Therapist I would also provide weekly 1-1 counseling to each consumer on their caseload, group counseling to all consumers with similar diagnostic criteria, and oversee direct care staff to assist in treatment planning and evaluating outcomes.
- VisionQuest is an employee-owned comprehensive national youth services organization that provides innovative intervention services to at-risk youth and families. VisionQuest also provides extraordinary experiences and relationships that allow youth, staff, and families to redefine and reach their highest potential.
Family Based Therapist
Sevita Health/PA Mentor
Bethlehem, PA
08.2022 - Current
- Facilitated family therapy sessions to strengthen communication and resolve conflicts.
- Developed individualized treatment plans based on client assessments and family dynamics.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care and resources for families.
- Monitored progress of clients, adjusting treatments to meet evolving needs effectively.
- Educated families on coping strategies and behavioral interventions to enhance stability.
- Conducted crisis interventions, providing immediate support during critical situations.
English as a Second Language Teacher
Self-Employed
03.2020 - 12.2022
- While working as an online ESL teacher I have been responsible for preparing lessons appropriate for the individual student(s) in the class. I have had a great deal of experience in online classroom management, completing evaluations for each student, assisting with technical issues where possible all while remaining mindful of cultural differences.
- Designed personalized lesson plans to meet diverse student needs.
- Facilitated engaging conversation sessions to enhance speaking skills.
- Implemented effective assessment tools to evaluate language progress.
- Developed educational materials that aligned with curriculum standards.
- Provided constructive feedback to students, fostering improvement and confidence.
- Utilized technology platforms for interactive learning experiences.
- Increased student confidence through regular feedback and personalized instruction.
- Gave one-on-one attention to each student while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
Emergency Services / Crisis worker
Penn Foundation
07.2010 - 11.2012
- A Crisis worker provides emergency psychiatric and chemical dependency services to clients via telephone and in person in the Emergency Department of the local hospital (Grand View Hospital). A Crisis Worker performs appropriate assessments, interventions and deposition for these clients, including voluntary and involuntary hospitalization, or referral to appropriate community resources.
- Penn Foundation provides compassionate, holistic services that are grounded in Christian Values and open to all. Penn Foundation respects the dignity and rights of all individuals who come for help, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Penn Foundation employees provides comprehensive behavioral healthcare to persons in need of hope, healing, and compassion. Penn Foundation believes in the resilience of the human spirit and provides a safe place where people of all ages can grow, develop, or recover to their fullest mental, emotional and spiritual health.
Mobile Support Staff (MSS)
KidsPeace
11.2011 - 10.2012
- A MSS assist in maintaining a consistent, therapeutic environment by supporting a stable milieu. When a consumer is at risk of loss of stability a MSS will supportively intervene while maintaining KidsPeace Model of Care and Safe Crisis Management protocol.
- KidsPeace’s mission is to give hope, help and healing to children, families and communities. This is accomplished through the vision of helping people in need overcome challenges and transform their lives by providing emotional and physical healthcare and educational services in an atmosphere of teamwork, compassion and creativity. While working with children, families and communities we work with Integrity, Human Well Being, Quality, community, Respect, and Excellence as guiding values.
Therapeutic Support Staff (TSS) with Case Management responsibilities
Lenape Valley Foundation
01.2010 - 09.2012
- While working at Lenape Valley Foundation as a TSS I implemented the treatment plans as formulated by the Behavioral Specialist or Mobile Therapist. The TSS worked in home, school and community settings modeling effective behavior management techniques with the consumer while simultaneously assisting the consumer to access improved behavior, conduct and emotional challenges and transfer these skills to the various caregivers that interact with the consumer. Additionally, the TSS would collect data during each client interaction which would be used to measure consumer’s progress. While working within the Case Management aspect I had the responsibility of providing ongoing support and expertise through comprehensive assessments, planning, implementation and overall evaluation of individual consumer needs.
- Lenape Valley Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing professional services through partnership with members of the community encountering mental health , substance use, intellectual or developmental challenges as they pursue their personal aspirations and an enhanced quality of life.
Therapeutic Support Staff
Youth Advocate Program
01.2008 - 01.2011
- While working as a TSS I implemented the treatment plans as formulated by the Behavioral Specialist or Mobile Therapist. The TSS worked in home, school and community settings modeling effective behavior management techniques with the consumer while simultaneously assisting the consumer to access improved behavior, conduct and emotional challenges and transfer these skills to the various caregivers that interact with the consumer. Additionally, the TSS would collect data during each client interaction which would be used to measure consumer’s progress.
- Youth Advocate Program is a national nonprofit organization which provides effective and coast-efficient alternatives to the incarceration or institutional placement of young individuals. The programs are committed to community, strength based and family focused care for its consumers.
- Respite Worker: As a respite worker, I provided care and supervision of at-risk individuals with various disabilities in their homes and community settings.
Therapeutic Support Staff/ Mental HealthAid
Northwestern Human Services (NHS) Mountain Valley Center
01.2006 - 01.2007
- While working as a TSS I implemented the treatment plans as formulated by the Behavioral Specialist or Mobile Therapist. The TSS worked in home, school and community settings modeling effective behavior management techniques with the consumer while simultaneously assisting the consumer to access improved behavior, conduct and emotional challenges and transfer these skills to the various caregivers that interact with the consumer. Additionally, the TSS would collect data during each client interaction which would be used to measure consumer’s progress. This was my first assignment in this capacity, with a consumer with a Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) diagnosis.
- NHS offers a full range of integrated services to children and adults with mental health, addictive diseases, autism, juvenile justice, treatment foster care, intellectual an developmental disabilities, and education with specialized services.
- Psychiatric Aide: In this position I provided routine care for mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed consumers in their day to day lives. My main placement when working in this position was in a group home with 4 limited to nonverbal consumers on the ASD spectrum.
Education
Bachelors of Art - Psychology
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania01-2007
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TEFL Professional Development Center
03-2020
Skills
- Client advocacy
- Assessment skills
- Motivational interviewing
- Ethical practice
Timeline
Family Based Therapist
Sevita Health/PA Mentor
08.2022 - Current
English as a Second Language Teacher
Self-Employed
03.2020 - 12.2022
Mobile Support Staff (MSS)
KidsPeace
11.2011 - 10.2012
Emergency Services / Crisis worker
Penn Foundation
07.2010 - 11.2012
Therapeutic Support Staff (TSS) with Case Management responsibilities
Lenape Valley Foundation
01.2010 - 09.2012
Intake Counselor
Roxbury Treatment Center
01.2008
Therapeutic Support Staff
Youth Advocate Program
01.2008 - 01.2011
Bachelor’s Level Therapist (Therapist I)
VisionQuest South Mountain
01.2007
Therapeutic Support Staff/ Mental HealthAid
Northwestern Human Services (NHS) Mountain Valley Center
01.2006 - 01.2007
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TEFL Professional Development Center
Bachelors of Art - Psychology
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania