Janelka A Williams
Buford,GA
Summary
Highly motivated counselor with over 20 years of working experience with emotionally disturbed and/or developmentally disabled children and adults. Distinguished educator with commensurate experience bringing diversity in therapeutic counseling techniques for groups and individuals. Ambitious School Counselor focused on supporting students in accomplishing personal and academic success. Gifted in counseling, student advocacy and preventive education to meet the goals and objectives of the counseling program.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Professional School Counselor
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Peachtree Corners, GA
03.2022 - Current
- Work collectively with education professionals to deliver in-school counseling support for identified students.
- Promote parent and teacher partnerships and communications to support students educational goals.
- Establish developmentally-appropriate support groups and activities for middle school-aged students.
- Counsel students regarding variety of social, educational and interpersonal issues.
- Maintain student records and develop individual education and behavior plans to promote student success.
- Aid students in college and career readiness process, helping with course selection and career assessments.
- Assess students and proposed behavior management plans to alleviate academic and social problems.
- Monitor students academic progress, mental health and sociability through ongoing individual assessments.
Therapist
Creative Family Counseling
Buford, GA
06.2021 - 06.2022
- Utilized emerging Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, and Narrative Therapy as treatment approaches.
- Monitored students academic progress, mental health and sociability through ongoing individual assessments.
- Counseled students in career planning, job placement and academic goals.
- Prepared reports documenting mental health assessments and suggested appropriate therapies to aid in treatment.
- Provided excellent service and attention to clients with face-to-face and telehealth services.
- Developed individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems.
- Scheduled recurring service appointments to provide client care.
- Taught clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control and coping skills.
- Evaluated progress against goals for all patients.
Mental Health Counselor
St Catherine of Siena PROS
Riverhead, NY
12.2017 - 05.2021
- Create client treatment plans based on assessments and goals.
- Adhered to HIPAA confidentiality requirements by safeguarding files.
- Lead patients in individual and group therapy sessions
- Served as lead clinician for patients with bipolar, depression, anxiety and personality disorders.
- Effectively manage time and case loads based on 15 sessions per week.
- Quickly responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and behavioral issues arise.
- Consult with and develop appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plans for dually diagnosed patients.
- Chart and record information in client files.
- Collect, record and summarize data on observable client behaviors.
- Actively supervise and administer therapeutic recreational, educational and group activities.
- Prompt safe and socially acceptable replacement behaviors in order to build a repertoire of communication, social interaction and problem-solving skills.
Executive Pastor
Harvest Church International
Jamaica, NY
05.2005 - Current
- Strengthened this organization by implementing and leading an awesome Music Department.
- Creating new revenue streams through events and product sales.
- Leading implementation of systems and policies to strengthen the organization and accountability of membership.
- Managed all aspects of ministry.
- Demonstrated effective leadership to church, including managing daily operations, developing and administering annual budget and promoting compassionate pastoral care to members and public.
- Spearheaded community outreach programs.
- Guided staff and volunteers in administering education, youth, social action, fellowship and pastoral care ministry programs.
- Conducted special services like baptisms, weddings and funerals.
- Worked with church leaders, staff and ministry teams to achieve growth of church and to foster positive community impact.
Teachers Assistant
New York City Department of Education - HR Connect
New York City, NY
03.1998 - 05.2011
- Evaluated individual student needs and assessed academic and social situations to address challenges and goals.
- Contributed to positive, educational setting by delivering gentle discipline and promoting student success.
- Tutored and assisted children individually and in small groups to help master assignments and reinforce learning concepts.
- Prepared lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits and demonstrations to assist teachers in classroom preparation.
- Helped students master learning concepts through one-on-one and small group tutoring.
- Provided individualized and small group support to reinforce classroom topics and promote student learning.
- Created and coordinated age-appropriate enrichment activities to drive social, emotional and intellectual development.
- Assessed student learning styles and understanding of material to redirect and optimize teaching strategies.
- Worked one-on-one with special needs students to help navigate through school challenges.
Education
Doctor of Education - Community Care And Counseling-Traumatology
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA12-2025
Education Specialist - Community Care And Counseling- Traumatology
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA12-2023
Master of Science - M. ED- School Counseling
Liberty University
05.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
College of New Rochelle
05.2004
Skills
- Developing and implementing a school counseling program
- Experience working with emotionally disturbed and developmentally disabled children and adults
- Proficient in crisis counseling and emergency preparedness
- CPR/First-aid certification
- Clear public speaking skills
- Safety and risk assessment
- Conducting individual and group therapy
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Quality management care team member
- Client goal planning
- Safety and risk assessments
- Goal development
- Mental health assessments
- Career advising
- Crisis intervention strategies
- ASCA National Model Principles
Affiliations
- Violence Prevention and Intervention Certificate
- Training in Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment Certification
- Dyslexia Certification
- Life Coaching Certification
- Dignity for All Students Act Certificate
- Obtaining many honors and certificates volunteering time to Harvest Church International, gaining experience in various community service activities.
Counseling Experience
Harvest Church International, Jamaica, NY
- Started an addiction recovery group
- Founder of Girl Talk with woman of all ages
- Started a couples group therapy group
Liberty University Online Academy
- Participating in the creation of a school counseling program for a K-12 online Academy.
Affiliations
- American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
- America Counseling Association (ACA)
- New York Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
- New York Office of Mental Health
Timeline
Professional School Counselor
Gwinnett County Public Schools
03.2022 - Current
Therapist
Creative Family Counseling
06.2021 - 06.2022
Mental Health Counselor
St Catherine of Siena PROS
12.2017 - 05.2021
Executive Pastor
Harvest Church International
05.2005 - Current
Teachers Assistant
New York City Department of Education - HR Connect
03.1998 - 05.2011
Doctor of Education - Community Care And Counseling-Traumatology
Liberty University
Master of Science - M. ED- School Counseling
Liberty University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
College of New Rochelle
Education Specialist - Community Care And Counseling- Traumatology
Liberty University