KARLA CORTES, LMHC, NCC
Miami,FL
Summary
I am a driven Mental Health Counselor with 10+ years of experience assisting individuals with mental health needs. I feel I am a motivated professional and skilled active listener with 2 Masters Degrees [Mental Health Counseling/School Counseling] in Psychology and offering skills in conflict management as well as crisis intervention; experience with individual care. I have been working with children of all ages- to assist with academic and behavior/social-emotional challenges. School counselor for 5 years with children between the ages of 10 and 17- working one-on-one; looking to use my degrees in professional counseling to provide guidance and resources for a positive and long-lasted academic achievement. I consider myself to be an organized individual successful at managing multiple priorities while maintaining a strong work ethic and exhibiting a positive attitude. I am also a proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills, known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Counselor
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
10.2020 - Current
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all high-school students (approximately 600).
- Developed a safe and supportive school environment by promoting positive behavior and addressing issues such as bullying and harassment.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
- Maintained a high level of professional development through continuous education, conference attendance, and participation in professional organizations related to school counseling.
- Facilitated classroom discussions to emphasize bullying prevention and college readiness.
- Have worked with middle school as well as high school students in enhancing student academic performance with personalized counseling sessions.
Mental Health Consultant
The Advocate Program
09.2017 - 10.2020
- Recorded comprehensive patient histories and coordinated treatment plans with multi-disciplinary team members.
- Referred clients to other programs and community agencies to enhance treatment processes/provide recommendations.
- Worked with parents and children to implement consistent effective parenting skills, as well as cognitive-behavioral therapeutic techniques at the home, school , or external appropriate location.
- Taught clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills, and functional family dynamic coping skills to improve family dynamic.
- Conducted outreach, advocacy, and rehabilitative services for regular cases and crises intervention.
- Documented all patient information including service plans, treatment reports and progress notes.
- Efficiently gathered information for families and social services agencies to inform development of treatment plans and other needs.
- Conducted comprehensive initial in-home psychosocial assessments prior to first wraparound meetings · Effectively managed time and caseloads based on 15-20 sessions per week.
- Improved client mental health by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing personalized treatment plans.
- Strengthened family relationships by providing psycho education on mental health conditions and facilitating communication skills workshops.
Graduate Student Intern/ Therapist
Banyan Health Systems
01.2016 - 07.2017
- Facilitated group/individual sessions as needed for a group of 15-20 individuals.
- Completed admissions along with necessary documentation to finalize intake process
- Developed comprehensive treatment plans that focused on accurate diagnosis and behavioral treatment of presented issues
- Consulted with and developed appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plans for dually diagnosed patients
- Documented all patient information including service plans, treatment reports and progress notes
- Interacted with individuals with chronic mental illness as well as behavioral and/or substance disorders
- Taught clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills and functional living skills
- Guided clients in understanding illnesses and treatment plans
- Observed, monitored, and documented changes in client behavior and responses to treatment
- Displayed sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic needs of the clients served.
PSR Group Facilitator
Chrysalis Health
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Facilitates PSR group lessons as needed for a group of 20-28 individuals.
- Interacts with individuals with chronic mental illness and behavioral disorders
- Quickly responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and behavioral issues
- Display sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic needs of the clients served.
- Facilitates group activities that supplement lessons
- Accompanies the PSR group(s) on outings and field trips
- Observe and monitor client behavior and responses to treatment arose.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients’ level of functioning.
- Created a supportive environment by fostering trust, empathy, and mutual respect among participants.
- Provided guidance on goal-setting strategies, empowering participants to take ownership of their personal development journey.
- Facilitated dialogue between participants, family, and program workers to provide best possible program and individualized program.
Graduate Student Intern
Centro Mater
05.2015 - 08.2015
- Assisting teacher aides with approximately 25-30 students.
- Introducing students to social skills themes.
- Preparing group activities to target negative behaviors and reinforce positive behaviors.
- Increased collaboration among graduate students by initiating study groups and organizing peer feedback sessions.
Graduate Student Intern
Seminole Elementary School
01.2015 - 04.2015
- Completed 504 plans
- Completed Functional Assessment Behavior plans
- Completed Behavioral Intervention Plans
- Group counseling session of 3-4 students
- Individual counseling sessions with assistance from school counselor
- Assisting teachers with extracurricular activities
- Proposed Growth Bliss Garden Grant; school was chosen as winner of $2,000 grant
- Proposed Youth Literacy Grant; school was chosen as winner of $4,000 grant.
- Managed time effectively between multiple responsibilities such as coursework, teaching assistantships, and research commitments.
- Developed strong professional relationships with faculty members by actively participating in departmental meetings and events.
Education
Master of Science - Mental Health/School Counseling
Carlos Albizu University
Miami, FL01-2016
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Florida International University
Miami, FL01-2012
Associate of Arts - General
Miami Dade College
Miami, FL01-2009
High School Diploma - General Studies
Miami Coral Park Senior High
Miami, FL01-2006
Skills
- Individual counseling
- Mediation and crisis intervention
- Suicide prevention
- Student advocacy
- Solutions-focused
- Group counseling
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Conflict mediation
- Individual and family support
- Academic support
- Conflict resolution
- Adolescent counseling
- Counseling and therapy
- Academic advisement
- Social-emotional learning
Certification
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) - State Licensing Boards.
- National Certified Counselor (NCC) - National Board for Certified Counselors.
- First Aid Certification 6/2024-6/2026
- CPR/AED Certification 6/2024-6/2026
Timeline
School Counselor
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
10.2020 - Current
Mental Health Consultant
The Advocate Program
09.2017 - 10.2020
Graduate Student Intern/ Therapist
Banyan Health Systems
01.2016 - 07.2017
Graduate Student Intern
Centro Mater
05.2015 - 08.2015
Graduate Student Intern
Seminole Elementary School
01.2015 - 04.2015
PSR Group Facilitator
Chrysalis Health
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) - State Licensing Boards.
- National Certified Counselor (NCC) - National Board for Certified Counselors.
- First Aid Certification 6/2024-6/2026
- CPR/AED Certification 6/2024-6/2026
Master of Science - Mental Health/School Counseling
Carlos Albizu University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Florida International University
Associate of Arts - General
Miami Dade College
High School Diploma - General Studies
Miami Coral Park Senior High
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