Jennifer Calderon-Mendenhall
San Diego,CA
Summary
School Counselor with over 6 years of success guiding students on academic, social emotional and career decisions. Skilled at helping students navigate school life by identifying their strengths, helping them find purpose and set realistic goals to aid in their success. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
INTERVENTION COUNSELOR
San Diego Unified School District
12.2022 - Current
- Assisted students in setting realistic goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress towards achievement.
- Connected students and families to available school and community resources as needed, including tutoring, special interest groups, mental health, college and career resources and services.
- Fostered connection with students through consistent communication, empathy, and understanding of their unique challenges.
- Guided students in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems through individual intervention meetings and small group work.
- Taught mental health lessons to all 10th grade English classes.
- Supported students in crisis, including conducting EP 10 assessments, and working with students, families and administration to ensure students were safe and referred to appropriate services.
LICENSED THERAPIST
Private Practice
08.2014 - Current
- As a therapist in private practice, I offer counseling to individuals (adult and adolescent) clients in the San Diego area
- Areas of focus include working with: military community, trauma, depression, anxiety, school/work stress, relational issues, and life transitions
- I make use of Solution Focus and Cognitive Behavioral therapy models.
HEALTHY YOUTH SCHOOL THERAPIST
Altus Schools
08.2021 - 11.2022
- As Healthy Youth School Counselor I served various Altus schools sites providing ERMHS/MHRS counseling services, consulting with teachers and staff for both special education and general education; take part in student IEP's and work closely with SPED Case Managers and assisting 504 coordinator when needed.
- Provided professional development for mental health topics including annual Suicide prevention training, adhering to AB 2246; provided general education students with crisis counseling, support check in's; worked with parents, staff and students to find resources and referrals; as well as taking part in helping implement COPES grant.
- Provided in person and virtual counseling session for students at multiple school sites.
- Provided crisis intervention services to students experiencing emotional distress or exhibiting signs of potential harm to themselves or others.
- Collaborated with teachers and parents to create supportive learning environments for students with emotional, behavioral, or academic challenges.
- Contributed to development of school-wide policies and procedures related to mental health, including crisis response plans and protocols.
- Served as a trusted resource for staff members seeking guidance on addressing students'' social-emotional needs within the classroom setting.
CLINICAL COUNSELOR/SAIL CASE MANAGER
Naval Base San Diego
06.2019 - 08.2021
- As Clinical Counselor I worked with Active-Duty military and their dependents providing individual counseling; consulting with psychiatrist and other service providers for coordination of care; maintaining appropriate and timely documentation for confidential case files; referring clients to additional services when indicated; as well as providing crisis and walk-in counseling services.
- The majority of my cases were as part of the SAIL Case Management team providing safety check in's, resources, supports and help navigating mental health services and other supports for active-duty members that have been identified to have had suicidal ideation or an attempt by their referring party
- Provided services in person and then by telephone during the Covid shut downs per DoD instruction.
- I worked with commands to keep them updated to any safety concerns and collaborated to keep service members safe.
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
San Diego Virtual School
08.2016 - 06.2019
- As a School Counselor I worked with students in grades six to twelve providing both academic and social emotional counseling both in person and via telehealth
- I provided students and families counseling and consultation, provided staff with mental health professional development, and lead the school administration and staff on all crisis counseling
- I was in charge of creating 504's and being part of the IEP team for my student caseload, working closely with teachers, case managers, administration, families and students to make sure our students were being supported and the family understood their rights and how they could best support their student.
- I provided resources and referrals in the community to students and families, many of which were living below the poverty line as well as homeless families; and provided academic and college/career counseling.
CLINICAL COUNSELOR
AFSC Enterprise, Naval Base Point Loma
03.2015 - 08.2016
- As a Clinical Counselor I worked with Active-Duty military and their dependents providing individual and couples counseling; assessment; diagnosis; treatment planning with measurable goals; consulting with psychiatrist for coordination of care; maintaining appropriate and timely documentation for confidential case files; referring clients to additional services when indicated; as well as providing crisis and walk-in counseling services
- I made use of Short Term Solution Focused and Cognitive Behavioral therapies.
LICENSED THERAPIST
Psycare Inc.
09.2014 - 03.2015
- I provided individual and family therapy in the San Diego area
- My areas of focus were serving individuals (both adult and children), couples and families addressing issues related to trauma, depression, anxiety, pregnancy and parenting issues, relationship violence, and life transitions
- I kept confidential case files including assessments, diagnosis, treatment plans and case notes
- I made use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Systems therapy.
THERAPIST
Caldwell-Clark Counseling
10.2011 - 02.2013
- As a Therapist I worked with individuals offering reduced fee therapeutic services
- I was responsible for maintaining confidential client files, diagnosis and assessment, treatment plans and goals, as well as billing
- I specialized in working with families going through transitions (including divorce and custody issues) as well as individual adults
- I make use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Clinical Counselor
Walden Family Services
02.2010 - 06.2011
- As a Mental Health Clinician, I specialized in working with Treatment Level Foster Youth, ages 5-22, referred through the San Diego Regional Center and County FFA's that are identified as needing a higher level of care due to mental health, extreme trauma, or special health needs
- I conducted individual therapy and family consultation, completed all county mental health documentation paperwork including; intake, assessments and diagnosis, progress notes, treatment plans, reviews and discharge summaries
- I worked collaboratively and provided consultation with all members of the team servicing our clients including; foster families, Social Workers (both agency and County), Rehab/Skills Training Counselors, Psychiatrist and other community resources
- I attended IEP's and 504's for my clients in school across San Diego County, as well as supporting the training of incoming Foster Parents and performing psychosocial assessments for potential foster/adopt parents
- Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Education
MS IN COUNSELING-MARRIAGE FAMILY THERAPY -
California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA01.2004
BA IN SOCIAL WORK -
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA01.2000
Skills
- Access Needs of students
- Student Support
- Academic advising
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Academic Support
- Transcript Review
- Career Planning
Certification
- 80559, 12/31/2025, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Pupil Personnel Services Credential, School Counseling, 10/2024
Additional Information
- Passionate in exposing students to various College, Career and Trade Education options.
- Current Co-advisor working to form a GSA for LGBTQIA+ students and allies on Hoover's campus.
- Taught district Mental Health lessons to all 10th grade English classes.
Languages
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
INTERVENTION COUNSELOR
San Diego Unified School District
12.2022 - Current
HEALTHY YOUTH SCHOOL THERAPIST
Altus Schools
08.2021 - 11.2022
CLINICAL COUNSELOR/SAIL CASE MANAGER
Naval Base San Diego
06.2019 - 08.2021
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
San Diego Virtual School
08.2016 - 06.2019
CLINICAL COUNSELOR
AFSC Enterprise, Naval Base Point Loma
03.2015 - 08.2016
LICENSED THERAPIST
Psycare Inc.
09.2014 - 03.2015
LICENSED THERAPIST
Private Practice
08.2014 - Current
THERAPIST
Caldwell-Clark Counseling
10.2011 - 02.2013
Clinical Counselor
Walden Family Services
02.2010 - 06.2011
MS IN COUNSELING-MARRIAGE FAMILY THERAPY -
California State University Northridge
BA IN SOCIAL WORK -
San Diego State University