Kirstin Arellano, MMFT
Baton Rouge,LA
Summary
Compassionate and collaborative therapist with a strong foundation in working with individuals, couples, and families across diverse settings. I bring a thoughtful, relational approach to therapy and value curiosity, cultural humility, and attunement in clinical work. Experienced in creating clear and timely documentation including progress notes, treatment plans, and diagnostic assessments. I’m committed to practicing with integrity, maintaining strong therapeutic boundaries, and adapting to client needs while upholding ethical standards. Known for being organized, reliable, and grounded — with a genuine dedication to supporting people through meaningful change.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Mindful Therapy Group
08.2023 - Current
- Provide individual, couple, and family therapy to clients from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds across the lifespan.
- Collaborate with clients to address a wide range of presenting concerns including relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.
- Support clients navigating substance use recovery, including those actively detoxing, by integrating harm reduction principles and trauma-informed care into treatment planning.
- Utilize mindfulness-based interventions, collaborative dialogue, and systemic frameworks to promote client insight and change.
- Coordinate with other professionals including psychiatrists, primary care providers, and recovery coaches to ensure holistic and integrative care.
- Maintain accurate documentation in accordance with ethical and legal standards, including diagnostic assessments, treatment plans, and session notes.
- Conduct intakes and establish strong therapeutic rapport through active listening, empathy, and culturally responsive practice.
Family Support Specialist
New Horizons Inc.
09.2020 - 03.2021
- Developed rapport to create safe and trusting, trauma-informed environment for care.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
- Conducted outreach to families and other community partners to identify ways to address social, emotional and behavioral needs.
- Lead individualized and group counseling sessions with children and families.
- Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
- Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
- Reported child abuse in accordance with legal standards of mandatory reporters.
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Marriage And Family Institute And Texas Family Institute
08.2018 - 08.2020
- Provided over 600 hours of face-to-face and virtual individual, couple, and family therapy services to a diverse population
- Utilized modern and postmodern modalities
- Specialized in collaborative therapy and mindfulness activities.
- Conducted intake and needs assessments to set therapeutic goals and establish professional relationships with clients.
- Collaborated with other mental health professionals to create comprehensive treatment plans.
- Maintained accurate and thoroughly documented notes and client records in accordance with licensing standards.
- Delivered counseling services to families and couples dealing with familial issues.
- Collaborated with social services, referral sources and other treatment professionals to meet patient care needs.
Youth Care Worker
Harmony Family Services
06.2019 - 06.2020
- Supervised activities of children (ages 6-18) in care at an placement emergency shelter
- Developed and maintained therapeutic and appropriate adult-child relationships to accomplish treatment goals
- Monitored for and reported any suspected abuse or behavior that endangers child welfare to appropriate team members.
- Completed clear and concise documentation of youth behavior and actions.
- Evaluated needs of youth and outlined measures to address.
- Attended treatment team meetings to discuss youth's mental and behavioral progress.
- Assisted youth with obtaining resources such as food, clothing and shelter.
Group Therapy Co-Facilitator
Faithworks Of Abilene
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Lead and taught mindfulness skills to group participants.
- Collaborated with community, providers and internal staff.
- Facilitated dialogue between participants and program workers to provide best possible program and individualized program.
- Developed open rapport with patients, encouraging sharing of questions and concerns.
- Provided self-esteem and anger management group therapy.
- Educated in various types of techniques and skills to better understand people from diverse walks of life and cultures.
Mentor and Tutor
Gardere Initiative
01.2017 - 08.2017
- Translated homework for ESL students
- Provided general after school care to underserved youth.
- Motivated students towards learning and studying to build self-confidence and reduce fear of failure.
- Conducted group tutoring sessions to help students engage active learning and critical thinking skills.
Education
Master of Science - Marriage And Family Therapy
Abilene Christian University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Southern A&M University
Skills
- Group therapy facilitation
- Intervention planning
- Patient documentation
- First Aid/CPR
- Crisis Management
- Mindfulness training
- Family therapy
- Teletherapy
- Substance abuse counseling
- Behavior modification
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Motivational interviewing
Affiliations
- Member of Delta Kappa Honor Society
- Member of Psi Chi Honor Society
Accomplishments
- Earned "Certificate of Practice Management" for Completion of 125 hours in Practice Management at MFI in October 2019.
Software
- AdvancedMD
- Therapy Appointment
- SPSS
- FreedAi
- MS Office
Timeline
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Mindful Therapy Group
08.2023 - Current
Family Support Specialist
New Horizons Inc.
09.2020 - 03.2021
Youth Care Worker
Harmony Family Services
06.2019 - 06.2020
Group Therapy Co-Facilitator
Faithworks Of Abilene
01.2019 - 01.2020
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
Marriage And Family Institute And Texas Family Institute
08.2018 - 08.2020
Mentor and Tutor
Gardere Initiative
01.2017 - 08.2017
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Southern A&M University
Master of Science - Marriage And Family Therapy
Abilene Christian University
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