JENNIFER CRUZ
ELMSFORD,US
Summary
Dynamic Mental Health Counselor with extensive expertise in guiding individuals and groups toward improved mental well-being and emotional resilience. Proficient in crisis management, behavioral therapy, and workshop development, fostering a nurturing environment that promotes personal growth and stability. Committed to advancing mental health awareness within educational settings through innovative strategies and collaborative efforts while leveraging clinical expertise to deliver personalized treatment plans that enhance patient outcomes. Adept at utilizing therapeutic techniques and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure comprehensive care tailored to individual needs.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Clinician for Mental Health Counseling
ICAN: Innovative Counseling and Assessment of Nassau
11.2021 - 10.2022
- Counsel individuals and groups to enhance mental health and emotional well-being.
- Conduct psychotherapy sessions to address cognitive and behavioral issues.
- Facilitate family group sessions to improve communication and resolve conflicts.
- Develop treatment plans and set goals with clients for effective recovery.
- Identify and address social factors impacting clients' mental health.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify client needs and develop tailored treatment plans.
- Facilitated individual and group therapy sessions, promoting emotional well-being and personal growth.
Babysitter
Children Care
01.2010 - 06.2023
- Care for children aged 3 months to 10 years, ensuring a safe environment and healthy meals.
- Facilitate engaging activities, enhancing children's creativity and social skills.
- Support academic growth by supervising homework, achieving improved learning outcomes.
- Fostered a nurturing environment for children, promoting emotional growth and enhancing their social skills through engaging interactions.
- Implemented structured activity schedules, resulting in increased participation and noticeable improvements in children's social interactions.
- Coordinated with parents and educators to align care strategies, ensuring consistent support for each child's developmental needs.
- Monitored children's progress and adapted activities based on individual needs, achieving marked gains in educational engagement.
- Supervised children in various activities, ensuring safety and engagement.
- Developed and implemented creative play-based learning strategies for diverse age groups.
Clinician
St. Christopher Inc.
09.2021 - 09.2023
- Conducts mental health assessments, ensuring accurate diagnosis and effective treatment strategies.
- Develops personalized treatment plans, fostering measurable client progress and stability.
- Collaborates on crisis management plans, reducing emergency interventions and enhancing client safety.
- Engages clients in goal-setting, empowering personal and social development.
- Utilizes diverse treatment methods, promoting significant behavioral and emotional improvements.
Teacher Assistant
Hawthorne Foundation Inc
07.2020 - 09.2021
- Assist lead teacher in classroom management and student engagement.
- Prepare and organize daily activities and materials for children.
- Monitor and report on children's developmental progress and behavior.
- Facilitate creative activities to enhance student learning and expression.
- Communicate effectively with parents through newsletters and meetings.
Receptionist/Greeter
Westchester Medical Center
09.2019 - 05.2020
- Answer calls, deliver exceptional service, enhance visitor satisfaction.
- Greet guests, ensure positive impressions, uphold security protocols.
- Direct visitors, assist inquiries, maintain secure reception environment.
- Monitor systems, issue badges, communicate updates effectively.
- Document actions, address irregularities, ensure compliance consistently.
School Counselor Intern
Woodland Middle/High School
09.2014 - 06.2015
- Assist with IEP meetings, enhancing student support strategies.
- Report student concerns to psychologists, improving intervention plans.
- Collaborate across school district, fostering comprehensive student care.
- Manage confidential documents, ensuring secure student records.
- Communicate with students individually, addressing specific needs.
Mental Health Counselor
Gersh Academy for Autism Spectrum
05.2023 - 05.2025
- Guide groups to enhance mental health; track progress with tailored plans; foster goal achievement.
- Provided compassionate counseling to individuals and groups, fostering a safe environment that encouraged personal growth and emotional resilience.
- Implemented tailored treatment plans, leading to noticeable improvements in student engagement and mental well-being.
- Assessed student needs through regular evaluations, adjusting strategies to enhance therapeutic effectiveness and ensure optimal outcomes.
- Partnered with staff to conduct workshops on mental health awareness, strengthening community support and resource accessibility for students.
- Maintained comprehensive records of student progress, ensuring compliance with best practices and facilitating informed adjustments to care plans.
- Provided empathetic counseling to individuals, promoting emotional resilience and contributing to a nurturing therapeutic environment.
- Developed individualized treatment plans to address client needs and promote personal growth.
- Conducted assessments to evaluate mental health status and inform intervention strategies.
Psychiatric Intern
Phelps Memorial Hospital
05.2017 - 05.2018
- Facilitated individual therapy sessions, enhancing coping skills and achieving therapeutic goals.
- Conducted social work assessments, developed safety plans, ensuring client well-being.
- Led group therapy, focusing on goal setting and skill development, fostering client progress.
- Scheduled care appointments and managed referrals, streamlining client access to psychiatric services.
Education
M.D. - Mental Health Counseling
Pace University, Dyson College of Arts And Sciences
Pleasantville, NY05.2018
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY05.2015
Skills
- Skilled in Microsoft Word
- Advanced PowerPoint skills
- Advanced Excel proficiency
- Crisis Management (Experienced)
- Behavioral Therapy (Experienced)
- Emotional Intelligence (Experienced)
- Workshop Development (Experienced)
- Group facilitation expertise
- Client Advocacy (Experienced)
- Data Analysis (Skillful)
- Clinical documentation
- Patient evaluation
- Collaborative teamwork across functions
- Clinical assessment
Certification
- Certified Mandated Reporter, New York State
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Limited permit to practice Mental Health Counseling, New York State, March 2025
- Teacher Assistant Certified (095), New York State, May 2021
Timeline
Mental Health Counselor
Gersh Academy for Autism Spectrum
05.2023 - 05.2025
Clinician for Mental Health Counseling
ICAN: Innovative Counseling and Assessment of Nassau
11.2021 - 10.2022
Clinician
St. Christopher Inc.
09.2021 - 09.2023
Teacher Assistant
Hawthorne Foundation Inc
07.2020 - 09.2021
Receptionist/Greeter
Westchester Medical Center
09.2019 - 05.2020
Psychiatric Intern
Phelps Memorial Hospital
05.2017 - 05.2018
School Counselor Intern
Woodland Middle/High School
09.2014 - 06.2015
Babysitter
Children Care
01.2010 - 06.2023
M.D. - Mental Health Counseling
Pace University, Dyson College of Arts And Sciences
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Mercy College
COURSES
- HELPING RELATIONSHIP: THEORIES AND TECHNIQUES OF COUNSELING 2015 - 2018
- GROUP DYNAMICS, PSYCHOPATHOLOGY & PERSONALITY DISORDER 2015 - 2018
- SOCIAL CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS OF COUNSELING 2015 - 2018
- FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING 2015 - 2018
- HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 2015 - 2018
- APPRAISAL AND ASSESSMENT 2015 - 2018
- CAREER AND LIFESTYLE DEVELOPMENT 2015 - 2018
- CLINICAL WORK WITH ADOLESCENTS 2015 - 2018
- PRACTICUM IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING 2015 - 2018
- RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION 2015 - 2018
- EXPRESSIVE THERAPIES 2015 - 2018
- ADDICTION COUNSELING 2015 - 2018
- FIELD EXPERIENCE: INTERNSHIP I 2015 - 2018
- SPIRITUAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING 2015 - 2018
- FIELD EXPERIENCE: INTERNSHIP II 2015 - 2018
- INTEGRATING, SEMINAR: PROF ORIENTATION 2015 - 2018
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