JALEESA FREITAS
North Dartmouth,MA
Summary
Experienced psychologist with a well-rounded knowledge about the emotional, cognitive, and social processes of human behavior. Strong background in treating and evaluating clients in a wide range of mental health settings, including community mental health, courts, prisons, and civil commitment centers. Demonstrated knowledge of standard psychological assessment instruments of personality and intellectual functions. Eager to collaborate with expert providers to ensure complete client support and excellent care.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CEO | Licensed Psychologist
Rise Psychological Services
03.2024 - Current
- Built productive relationships with industry partners and competitors to support strategic business objectives.
- Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
- Fostered strong relationships with industry partners to expand business opportunities.
- Evaluated patients' goals, as well as mental and practical conditions, to develop individualized courses of treatment.
- Increased client satisfaction by maintaining a compassionate, non-judgmental environment during therapy sessions.
- Expanded professional knowledge by attending conferences and participating in continuing education opportunities to stay current on best practices in the field of psychology.
- Improved patient outcomes by utilizing evidence-based therapeutic approaches in individual and group therapy sessions.
- Used therapeutic communication techniques to build rapport and guide discussion with patients.
- Implemented cognitive-behavioral techniques tailored towards each client''s specific symptomatology while monitoring progress throughout treatment duration.
- Documented diagnoses, interventions implemented, and outcomes across outpatient clinics.
- Led group therapy sessions focusing on specific topics such as stress management, coping skills development, or relationship building techniques for improved interpersonal functioning.
- Interviewed, observed, and surveyed patients to gain necessary information for psychological diagnosis.
- Developed customized treatment plans for clients, addressing their unique psychological needs and goals.
Licensed Psychologist
Thriving Center Of Psychology
10.2022 - 03.2024
- Managed caseload of individual clients and couples therapy sessions
- Used therapeutic communication techniques to build rapport and guide discussion with patients
- Defined core problems and determined key strategies for investigating and remediating concerns
- Documented diagnoses, interventions implemented, and outcomes for patients
- Interacted with clients to assist in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal development and adjustment
- Assessed mental health needs to determine the nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served
- Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment
- Supervised busy caseload, managing clients, balancing workload, and prioritizing client needs
- Stayed current on mental health research to follow new developments and research in the mental health field.
Director of Sex Offender Assessment
Wellpath
10.2021 - 10.2023
- Monitored team workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly
- Oversaw team operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring, and training of team members
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated supervision to improve areas of weakness
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits
- Prepared reports to summarize clients' mental health status and treatment progress
- Assessed mental health needs to determine the nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues
- Attended training to participate in regular supervision and continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards
- Documented clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status
- Encouraged patients to discuss experiences in group and individual settings
- Used skills such as active listening and collaborative problem-solving daily to connect with patients and address concerns.
Licensed Psychologist
Centurion Forensic Health Services
12.2020 - 02.2023
- Disseminated reports and briefings for attorneys and judges
- Conducted client observations by monitoring behavior and documented physical health, family history, and medications in mental health assessment reports
- Selected, administered, and scored psychological tests as needed for court-ordered psychological evaluations
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, and make decisions/recommendations
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, and make decisions/recommendations
- Court-ordered evaluations included: Competency to Stand Trial, Criminal Responsibility, Aid in Sentencing, Emergency Mental Health Commitment, Commitment for Treatment of Alcohol or Substance Use Disorder
- Educated clients, attorneys, judges, and families about dangers of substance abuse and addiction
- Evaluated risk to client or others by gathering information and conducting assessments
- Documented risk to each client and context of concerns
- Assessed mental health needs to determine the nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served
- Attended training to participate in regular supervision and continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards
- Stayed current on mental health research to follow new developments and research in the mental health field.
Staff Psychologist
California State Prison - Sacramento
10.2018 - 01.2021
- Conducted patient observations by monitoring behavior and documented physical health, family history, and medications in mental health assessment reports
- Trained future psychologists on best practices, counseling techniques, assessment, and consultation
- Managed caseload of individual patients (diagnoses ranged from severe mental illness, cognitive limitations, characterological disorders, or a combination of these diagnoses)
- Used therapeutic communication techniques to build rapport and guide discussion with patients
- Interviewed, observed, and surveyed patients to gain necessary information for psychological diagnosis
- Evaluated patients' goals, as well as mental and practical conditions, to develop individualized courses of treatment
- Cooperated with other practitioners to devise improvements and discuss treatment innovations
- Defined core problems and determined key strategies for investigating and remediating concerns
- Led psychoeducational classes, workshops, and seminars
- Evaluated patients' behaviors when rule violations occurred and determined whether mental illness played a role in the behavior
- Rule violations ranged from murder to failure to show up for appointments
- Identified psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnosed disorders using information obtained from evaluation techniques
- Built safety plans to lower risk of crisis and intervened in specific manners outlined by procedures
- Provided emergency response in crisis situations to diffuse tensions and prevent violence
- Documented risk to each client and context of concerns
- Prepared reports to summarize clients' mental health status and treatment progress
- Assessed mental health needs to determine the nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues
- Attended training to participate in regular supervision and continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Illinois Department Of Human Services
08.2017 - 08.2018
- Attended research seminars and collegiate meetings to discover and discuss new methods of treatment and research
- Conducted patient observations by monitoring behavior and documented physical health, family history, and medications in mental health assessment reports
- Disseminated reports and briefings for program management and to drive patient care improvements
- Managed caseload of individual clients who were found to be sexually dangerous or awaiting trial for determination of sexual dangerousness
- Interviewed, observed, and surveyed patients to gain necessary information for psychological diagnosis
- Used therapeutic communication techniques to build rapport and guide discussion with patients
- Studied and applied practices from professional reports and literature along with therapies focused on patient needs
- Cooperated with other practitioners to devise improvements and discuss treatment innovations
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to provide an interactive and supportive environment for clients to process experiences and learn new coping skills
- Counseled individuals and groups regarding problems such as stress, substance abuse, or family situations to modify behavior to improve personal adjustment
- Led psychoeducational classes, workshops, and seminars
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals, parole, and correctional staff to coordinate care plans and implement continuity of care
- Selected, administered, and scored psychological tests
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies, and promptly addressing for resolution
- Used strong analytical and critical thinking skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
Pre-Doctoral Intern
California State Prison - Sacramento
08.2016 - 08.2017
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to provide an interactive and supportive environment for clients to process experiences and learn new coping skills
- Counseled individuals and groups regarding problems such as stress, substance abuse, or family situations to modify behavior to improve personal adjustment
- Interacted with patients to assist in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal development and adjustment
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to coordinate care plans and implement continuity of care
- Worked effectively in challenging environments
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others
- Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts
- Defined core problems and determined key strategies for investigating and remediating concerns
- Identified psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnosed disorders using information obtained from evaluation techniques
- Identified issues, analyzed information, and provided solutions to problems
- Completed required documentation and reports for compliance and treatment planning
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies, and promptly addressing for resolution
- Selected, administered, and scored psychological tests
- Built safety plans to lower risk of crisis and intervened in specific manners outlined by procedures
- Provided emergency response in crisis situations to diffuse tensions and prevent violence
- Documented risk to each client and context of concerns
- Assessed mental health needs to determine the nature and extent of patients' emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues.
Psychological Trainee
Phoenix House - Kern County Crossroads
07.2015 - 07.2016
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to provide an interactive and supportive environment for clients to process experiences and learn new coping skills
- Evaluated dynamics of different personnel groups through a range of planned activities and programs
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to coordinate care plans and implement continuity of care
- Interacted with clients to assist in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal development and adjustment
- Led psychoeducational classes, workshops, and seminars
- Counseled individuals and groups regarding problems such as stress, substance abuse, or family situations to modify behavior to improve personal adjustment
- Identified psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnosed disorders using information obtained from evaluation techniques
- Selected, administered, and scored psychological tests
- Completed required documentation and reports for compliance and treatment planning
- Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Documented risk to each client and context of concerns
- Evaluated risk to the client or others by gathering information and conducting assessments
- Used skills such as active listening and collaborative problem-solving daily to connect with patients and address concerns
- Prepared reports to summarize clients' mental health status and treatment progress
- Attended training to participate in regular supervision and continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards
- Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy
- Stayed current on mental health research to follow new developments and research in the mental health field.
Psychological Trainee
W. Gary Cannon Psychological Services Center
07.2014 - 07.2015
- Counseled individuals and groups regarding problems such as stress, substance abuse, or family situations to modify behavior to improve personal adjustment
- Defined core problems and determined key strategies for investigating and remediating concerns
- Interacted with clients to assist in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal development and adjustment
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to provide an interactive and supportive environment for clients to process experiences and learn new coping skills
- Led psychoeducational classes, workshops, and seminars
- Identified psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnosed disorders using information obtained from evaluation techniques
- Selected, administered, and scored psychological tests
- Completed required documentation and reports for compliance and treatment planning
- Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Built safety plans to lower risk of crisis and intervened in specific manners outlined by procedures
- Documented risk to each client and context of concerns
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served
- Assessed mental health needs to determine the nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues
- Completed one-on-one counseling with a broad range of clients suffering from various diseases and issues
- Attended training to participate in regular supervision and continued education to maintain professional competence and ethical standards
- Documented clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status
- Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Stayed current on mental health research to follow new developments and research in the mental health field.
Psychological Trainee
California State Prison - Corcoran
07.2013 - 07.2014
- Counseled individuals and groups regarding problems such as stress, substance abuse, or family situations to modify behavior to improve personal adjustment
- Evaluated dynamics of different personnel groups through a range of planned activities and programs
- Defined core problems and determined key strategies for investigating and remediating concerns
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to coordinate care plans and implement continuity of care
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to provide an interactive and supportive environment for clients to process experiences and learn new coping skills
- Identified psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnosed disorders using information obtained from evaluation techniques
- Interacted with clients to assist in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal development and adjustment
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations
- Paid diligence while completing assignments
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships
- Selected, administered, and scored psychological tests
- Provided emergency response in crisis situations to diffuse tensions and prevent violence
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
Education
Ph.D. - Neuropsychology Specialization Training Program: Neuropsychology
Fielding Graduate University
09.2025
Doctor of Philosophy. - Clinical | Forensic Psychology
Alliant International University
09.2017
Master of Arts - Organizational Behavior
Alliant International University
05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Rhode Island College
05.2012
Skills
- Psychological Interventions
- Evidence Based Treatment
- Mental Health Care
- Mood Disorders
- Relationship Issues Management
- Anger Management
- Anxiety and Trauma Therapy
- Major Depression
- Interpersonal Skills Development
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- Life Transitions
- Crisis Evaluation and Intervention
- Psychological Assessments/Testing
- Forensic Evaluation
Affiliations
- American Psychology - Law Society
- American Association of Suicidology
Professionaldevelopmenttraining
- A.S.S.I.S.T. Training Workshop, 2012-01-01, Fresno California
- MMPI-2-RF Workshop, 2013-04-01, Los Angeles California
- Juvenile Probation Battery: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory- Adolescent (MMPI-A), Personality Inventory for Youth (PIY), Beck Youth Inventories (BYI), Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI), Wide Range Achievement Test-IV (WRAT-IV), 2014-08-01, Fresno California
- Adolescent Sexual Risk Assessment: Structured Assessment of Violence in Youth (SAVRY), Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol (JSOAP-II) and Estimate of Risk of Adolescent Sexual Offense Recidivism 2.0 (ERASOR), 2014-09-01, Fresno California
- Rorschach Performance System (RPAS): An Introduction, 2014-10-24, Fresno California
- Suicide: Clinical, legal, and personal aspects, 2014-11-01, Fresno California
- Gang Training, 2014-09-01, Phoenix House- Kern Crossroads Facility
- American Psychology- Law Society Annual Conference, 2015-01-01, San Diego California
- Evidence-Based Trauma-Specific Services for Youth in the Juvenile System: Bringing the TARGET Model to Youth, Staff, and Key Stakeholders, 2015-03-01, San Diego California
- Trauma Informed Care: Working with Youth, 2016-05-01, Kern County Network for Children
- Sex Offender Civil Commitment Programs Network (SOCCPN) Annual Conference, 2017-01-01, Kansas City Missouri
- American Psychology- Law Society Annual Conference, 2018-01-01, Memphis Tennessee
- American Psychology- Law Society Annual Conference, 2020-01-01, New Orleans Louisiana
- American Psychology - Law Society Annual Conference, 2022-01-01, Denver Colorado
- SAARNA STABLE-2007 ACUTE-2007 Training, 2007-01-01
- Global Institute of Forensic Research - Darkstone - Certified Official Hare PCL-R Webinar Training, 2022-10-01
- Rome, Italy Immersion Program, 2014-06-01, California School of Forensic Studies
- China Immersion Program, 2015-10-01, California School of Professional Psychology
Locations
- Massachusetts, MA
- California, CA
References
- Johnathan Watson, Psy.D., Psychologist/Forensic Evaluator, California State Hospitals, drjcw17@gmail.com, (504) 357-1661
- Kristen Sousa, LCSW, Court Social Worker, New Bedford/Fall River Courts, ksousa@teamcenturion.com, (508) 369-9670
- Silvia Torrez, Psy.D., WIC 7301 Coordinator/Forensic Evaluator, Psychology Internship Training Coordinator, California State Prison- Sacramento, silvia.torrez@cdcr.ca.gov, (916) 985-8610 (ext. 6159)
Certification
Massachusetts Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS)
Timeline
CEO | Licensed Psychologist
Rise Psychological Services
03.2024 - Current
Licensed Psychologist
Thriving Center Of Psychology
10.2022 - 03.2024
Director of Sex Offender Assessment
Wellpath
10.2021 - 10.2023
Licensed Psychologist
Centurion Forensic Health Services
12.2020 - 02.2023
Staff Psychologist
California State Prison - Sacramento
10.2018 - 01.2021
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Illinois Department Of Human Services
08.2017 - 08.2018
Pre-Doctoral Intern
California State Prison - Sacramento
08.2016 - 08.2017
Psychological Trainee
Phoenix House - Kern County Crossroads
07.2015 - 07.2016
Psychological Trainee
W. Gary Cannon Psychological Services Center
07.2014 - 07.2015
Psychological Trainee
California State Prison - Corcoran
07.2013 - 07.2014
Ph.D. - Neuropsychology Specialization Training Program: Neuropsychology
Fielding Graduate University
Doctor of Philosophy. - Clinical | Forensic Psychology
Alliant International University
Master of Arts - Organizational Behavior
Alliant International University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Rhode Island College