Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
References
Timeline
Generic

Karina Tovar

Chicago,IL

Summary

Multitalented and highly organized professional with notable experience in crisis management, coordinating complex schedules, and overseeing high-level meeting preparation. Strong administrative skills including proficiency in MS Office Suite and CRM systems. Proven ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality. Demonstrated success in improving organizational processes, enhancing productivity, and implementing strategic solutions for efficiency.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Psychotherapist

Astute Counseling and Wellness Services
Chicago, IL
04.2022 - 05.2025
  • Counsel adults and couples experiencing various life circumstances including, but not limited to, supporting C-level executives, chronic stress and burnout, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and complex trauma.
  • Maintained a weekly case load of 24-28 clients.
  • Conducted individual therapy sessions for diverse client needs and backgrounds.
  • Developed customized treatment plans based on client assessments and therapeutic goals.
  • Utilized evidence-based practices to guide therapeutic interventions effectively.
  • Engaged in ongoing professional development to stay current with therapeutic techniques.
  • Maintained accurate and confidential client records in compliance with regulations.
  • Educated clients on healthy coping strategies to reduce stress levels and improve overall wellbeing.
  • Referred clients to external resources for additional support.
  • Conducted crisis intervention sessions in order to de-escalate situations and provide support for clients in need.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care for clients.
  • Maintained accurate records of all clinical activities using electronic medical record software.
  • Monitored client progress throughout the course of treatment and adjusted therapeutic approaches accordingly.
  • Incorporated different treatment methodologies and evidence-based practices to meet clients' specific needs.

Pediatric Emergency Room Social Worker

Comer Children’s Hospital (Uchicago)
Chicago, IL
02.2021 - 07.2022
  • Worked closely with first responders by providing crisis intervention and resources to children and families experiencing hardships including trauma, death, abuse, abandonment.
  • Assessed children for cases of abuse including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect and coordinated with medical team and DCFS to determine disposition for children.
  • Committed to respecting and protecting the vulnerability of each child and family, while also contributing to the overall social and psychological functioning and well-being of each member.
  • Educated teens on safe sex, STI testing and pregnancy options in order to reduce uninformed decision making, unhealthy relationships, and sexual health risks.

Hospital Medicine Social Worker

University of Chicago Hospital
Chicago, IL
04.2019 - 02.2021
  • Supported various adult medical floors including trauma, neurosurgery, intensive care unit, orthopedics, and general medicine.
  • Worked cross-functionally with multidisciplinary team and psychiatric inpatient team to safely discharge patients in a timely manner.
  • Led multi-disciplinary clinician daily meetings with medical providers to review status updates on each patient and make sure all patients are receiving high quality care.
  • Provided input to medical team in order to coordinate referrals to long-term acute care, rehab facilities, hospice, substance use and mental health treatment.
  • Facilitated weekly psychology group for University of Chicago students adjusting to college in a pandemic, which resulted in healthy coping methods, reframed perspective, and positive emotional balance.
  • Counseled COVID positive patients and their families during peak of pandemic by providing emotional support, communicating the most recent CDC information, and creating safe discharge plan.

Overnight Emergency Room Social Worker

Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Chicago, IL
11.2018 - 02.2019
  • Provided bedside crisis intervention to patients experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, sexual assault, substance use, complex medical conditions, mental health, and geriatric concerns.
  • Created safe discharge plans for patients, which sometimes included facilitation of referrals to PCP transitional care, shelter resources, rehab facilities, and community resources.
  • Acted as a safeguard to adults in vulnerable circumstances by reporting allegations of abuse to adult protective services.

Manager of Individual Giving and Special Events

NewRoot Learning Institute (formerly known as Umoja)
Chicago, IL
07.2013 - 08.2015
  • Coordinated logistics from start to finish for annual fundraising gala event including venue, catering, invitations, technology, ticket sales and sponsorship solicitation.
  • Managed planning committee and board members to increase attendance from 100 guests to 300 guests.
  • Increased gala sponsorship by a total of $28,250 over two years.
  • Increased gala net revenue by a total of $30,000 over two years.
  • Organized volunteers and community partners for career day with high school students.

Education

Master of Social Work - Mental Health

Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work
Chicago, IL

Bachelor of Arts - Marketing

Michigan State University, Eli Broad School of Business
East Lansing, MI

Skills

  • Coaching and development
  • Organizational skills
  • Strategic thinking
  • Efficient execution
  • Client satisfaction
  • Resourcefulness
  • Cross-functional communication
  • Relationship building
  • Calendar management
  • Meeting planning
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration
  • Resource coordination
  • Document management
  • Conflict resolution

Certification

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois

Languages

Spanish
Professional

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Psychotherapist

Astute Counseling and Wellness Services
04.2022 - 05.2025

Pediatric Emergency Room Social Worker

Comer Children’s Hospital (Uchicago)
02.2021 - 07.2022

Hospital Medicine Social Worker

University of Chicago Hospital
04.2019 - 02.2021

Overnight Emergency Room Social Worker

Northwestern Memorial Hospital
11.2018 - 02.2019

Manager of Individual Giving and Special Events

NewRoot Learning Institute (formerly known as Umoja)
07.2013 - 08.2015

Master of Social Work - Mental Health

Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work

Bachelor of Arts - Marketing

Michigan State University, Eli Broad School of Business

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