Judith Castro
Tucson,AZ
Summary
Accomplished mental health professional with a proven track record. Adept in crisis intervention and employing CBT techniques. Expert in building rapport and facilitating transformative one-on-one sessions. Demonstrated success in improving patient outcomes through innovative treatment planning and psychoeducation, enhancing both client satisfaction and recovery rates.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Therapist
Trauma Counseling Associates
01.2021 - Current
- Built strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and open communication for effective therapy sessions.
- Maintained detailed case notes and documentation, ensuring effective tracking of progress and continuity of care across providers.
- Established clear boundaries with clients, maintaining ethical practice standards while preserving the therapeutic relationship.
- Provided individual therapy sessions to patients suffering from PTSD symptoms.
- Help accident victims recover from injury related PTSD through session.
- Use Cognitive Processing Therapy to provide short-term, and behavioral based goals.
Director of Intake and Referral
Palo Verde Behavioral Health
08.2020 - 05.2022
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Directly supervised the intake/admissions employees.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Interfaced with medical staff, department heads, administration and treatment teams.
- Also conducted interviewing, hiring, and training employees, planning assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Assistant Director of Intake and Referral
Palo Verde Behavioral Health
08.2019 - 08.2021
- Streamlined communication between works at Intake, other departments, and the community.
- Oversaw the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process for new Evaluators and Behavioral Techs to maintain a high-quality staff.
- Mentored new Evaluators through observation, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
- Review assessments completed in Intake.
- Provide clinical supervision to staff.
- Provide relevant information regarding company’s procedures.
Intake Evaluator
Palo Verde Behavioral Health
10.2017 - 08.2019
- Maintained a high degree of professionalism when dealing with sensitive information or challenging situations during the course of an evaluation.
- Facilitated knowledge sharing among colleagues by presenting key insights from completed evaluations at internal concerns.
- Conducted regular reviews of existing evaluation frameworks, identifying areas for improvement or adaptation based on changing circumstances or needs.
- Provide telephonic risk assessment.
- Consult with an admitting psychiatrist for final disposition.
- Facilitate admission process.
- Complete initial prior authorizations.
Behavioral Therapist in Psychiatric Team
Carondelet Hospitals
01.2016 - 12.2020
- Maintained detailed documentation of client progress, communicating updates regularly to the Psychiatric and Medical staff.
- Developed rapport with clients by utilizing empathy and active listening skills, creating a supportive therapeutic environment conducive to learning.
- Responded effectively to crisis situations and aggressive behaviors, skillfully mitigating conflicts with proven strategies.
- Assess client's level of mental health needs, symptoms, lethality, and substance abuse needs.
- Provide patients resources available in the community regarding mental health services.
- Complete referrals for on-going services, treatment plan, and complete enrollments.
Social Service Professional
Banner UMC
12.2015 - 07.2016
- Displayed excellent time management skills by consistently completing tasks within deadline constraints while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Managed high-volume workloads while maintaining a strong focus on client satisfaction in the emergency department.
- Calling placements for availability, and calling insurances for prior auth once client's level of care is determined.
- Attend all trauma calls in the Trauma Unit
- Provide grief and loss support for families that have lost their loved ones.
Mental Health Professional
Correct Care Solutions for Adult and Juvenile Cen.
12.2013 - 12.2015
- Provided targeted therapeutic interventions for clients experiencing a variety of mental health challenges, including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related issues, and substance abuse concerns.
- Managed caseloads efficiently by prioritizing based on client needs and availability of resources, ensuring timely intervention for all patients.
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Create plans for treatment, training, and psychoeducation in the areas of concern.
- Attend crisis watch and assess for suicidal and homicidal risk factors with minors.
- Provide minors with de-escalation skills that promote healthy and safe outcomes when in crisis.
Crisis Clinician in Title-36 Department
Pasadera Network (SAMHC)
05.2013 - 10.2015
- Provide applicants with information on the Title-36 Pima County regulations.
- Assist applicants with the completion of the required documents with appropriate allegations.
- Meet with clients to discuss petition allegations, client’s rights, and the outcome of the process.
- Complete report and staff with the medical director to determine plan of care.
- Complete assessment on SMI/T19 client’s that wish to enroll back into mental health services.
- Complete Serious Mental Illness Evaluation (SMI) if applicable.
Crisis Clinician in Mobile Acute Crisis Team
Pasadera Network (SAMHC)
05.2011 - 05.2013
- Respond to crises in the community; initiated by police, family members, or agencies.
- Conduct a risk assessment and welfare check.
- Provide crisis counseling services, de-escalation techniques, and treatment options for further care.
- Staff the Application of Emergency Admission with the medical director at Connections Arizona.
Education
Master of Science - Counseling
University of Phoenix
Tucson, AZ01.2011
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Argosy University
Phoenix, Az04.2007
Skills
- Treatment Planning
- Building rapport
- Crisis Intervention
- One-on-one sessions
- Psychoeducation
- Problem-Solving
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- CBT Techniques
Certification
- Licensed LPC-22971 in the state of Arizona
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Therapist
Trauma Counseling Associates
01.2021 - Current
Director of Intake and Referral
Palo Verde Behavioral Health
08.2020 - 05.2022
Assistant Director of Intake and Referral
Palo Verde Behavioral Health
08.2019 - 08.2021
Intake Evaluator
Palo Verde Behavioral Health
10.2017 - 08.2019
Behavioral Therapist in Psychiatric Team
Carondelet Hospitals
01.2016 - 12.2020
Social Service Professional
Banner UMC
12.2015 - 07.2016
Mental Health Professional
Correct Care Solutions for Adult and Juvenile Cen.
12.2013 - 12.2015
Crisis Clinician in Title-36 Department
Pasadera Network (SAMHC)
05.2013 - 10.2015
Crisis Clinician in Mobile Acute Crisis Team
Pasadera Network (SAMHC)
05.2011 - 05.2013
Master of Science - Counseling
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Argosy University
- Licensed LPC-22971 in the state of Arizona
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