Julia Caruso
Milestones Day School
Ashland,MA
5
years of professional experience
Passionate, master's-level mental health counselor committed to empowering individuals by supporting their understanding of themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. Insightful with a talent for building strong therapeutic rapport, and fostering an environment of safety and understanding. Specialized expertise in neurodiversity, particularly in addressing the unique needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Work History
Middle School Counselor
11 Months- Supported students’ processing skills in therapeutic settings to increase their therapeutic growth
- Recorded student data across various skills and behaviors throughout their school day
- Collaborate with team members (e.g., speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, transition specialists etc.) to determine which modifications, accommodations, and assessment approaches are needed to help students to succeed
- Supervise students in various academic, therapeutic, and community settings while promoting the independence of the student
- Guided students in integrating accommodations into daily routines to achieve individualized goals
- Facilitated conflict resolution and processing sessions within a therapeutic school environment.
Graduate Clinical Intern
9 Months- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team of LMHCs, special educators, SLPs, OTs, art therapists, social workers, child psychologists, and psychiatrists to help students achieve emotional, social, and educational goals.
- Created a supportive 'holding environment' for children and families by implementing tailored strategies and fostering emotional safety through strong therapeutic relationships.
- Cultivated strong therapeutic relationships with students with high support needs, supporting their emotional well-being and success.
- Provided weekly individualized expressive arts therapy pull-outs, selecting art activities and session plans tailored to support their individual goals: building greater self-understanding, supporting emotional regulation, and increasing self-esteem.
Therapeutic Nature Program Graduate Intern
8 Months- Participate in the planning and delivery of therapeutic nature programming at a variety of sites, including special needs schools, elder facilities, Alzheimer's care programs, and urban after-school programs, contributing to an overall enhanced quality of life for vulnerable population.
- Build connections with individuals through safe, therapeutic sensory exploration and nature education, adhering to the Nature Connection policy of 'safety, choice, and respect.'
- Plan and facilitate themed art and craft activities, adaptable as needed to any age, ability level, and background.
- Identify and overcome barriers to verbal communication by finding creative solutions and nonverbal points of connection.
Direct Support Professional
2 Years 8 Months- Delivered personalized support to 15+ adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in an arts-based day program, enhancing their creative skills and fostering a welcoming community atmosphere.
- Planned and delivered art, movement, and emotion regulation group programming to foster creative expression and emotional well-being.
- Provided support to individuals experiencing dysregulation and implemented proactive interventions to promote positive behavior.
- Monitored behavior data collection and tracked goal progress in alignment with individualized support plans.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Expressive Arts Therapy
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Expressive Arts
Skills
Interdisciplinary team collaboration
Positive behavioral support and intervention
In-school support for students with special needs
Conflict resolution
de-escalation
and emotion regulation
Sensory processing and emotion regulation
Trauma-informed
attachment-focused approach
Behavior analysis and intervention; data collection
goal tracking
Small group facilitation (social skills
art
music
emotion regulation)
Specialized knowledge in Autism and ADHD
Background in expressive arts therapy
Timeline
Middle School Counselor
Milestones Day School
09.2025 - 08.2026Read More
Graduate Clinical Intern
Community Therapeutic Day School
09.2023 - 06.2024Read More
Therapeutic Nature Program Graduate Intern
Nature Connection
09.2023 - 05.2024Read More
Direct Support Professional
RHD Boston: Outside the Lines Studio
09.2021 - 05.2024Read More
Lesley University
Master of Arts from Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Expressive Arts
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Lesley University
Bachelor of Arts from Expressive Arts Therapy
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