Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Kristen Garcia

Weslaco

Summary

Dedicated and adaptable professional with a Master’s in Counseling and Development and hands-on experience providing mental health services in both community-based and clinical settings. Over a year of case work experience at Tropical Texas Behavioral Health supporting clients through crisis intervention, treatment planning, and care coordination. Skilled in building rapport, conducting assessments, and advocating for underserved populations with empathy and professionalism. Backed by six years of leadership experience and a strong foundation in counseling theory, ethical practice, and collaborative care. Eager to continue clinical work in environments—both in-person and remote—that align with meaningful, client-centered support and growth.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Case Manager

Tropical Texas Behavioral Health
Weslaco
02.2024 - Current
  • Monitored client progress on a regular basis by reviewing records and conducting interviews.
  • Coordinated referrals for medical care, housing, legal assistance, and other social services as necessary.
  • Developed long-term relationships with clients by providing emotional support throughout their recovery process.
  • Provided information on mental health issues such as depression or anxiety to help educate individuals about symptoms they may be experiencing.
  • Conducted home visits to assess the safety of clients' living environments and provide support for their daily activities.
  • Participated in regular team meetings and in-house training sessions to boost group effectiveness.
  • Maintained up-to-date case records with case activity status.
  • Managed caseloads effectively, ensuring timely documentation and reporting.
  • Spoke to community groups to explain and interpret purposes, programs, and policies.
  • Identified potential barriers that could impede progress towards achieving desired outcomes while developing solutions to address them quickly and efficiently.

Service Professional

Olive Garden
05.2017 - 02.2024
  • Adhered to company policies, addressed colleague inquiries, and trained new personnel.
  • Collaboration with coworkers was closely maintained to outline detailed success goals, and active support was provided to address service issues.
  • Managing multiple projects ensured high-quality results within designated timeframes, demonstrating self-reliance.
  • Leadership was demonstrated through process enhancements and contributing to training initiatives.
  • Exceptional service was provided to customers in-person and over the phone, exceeding satisfaction benchmarks.
  • Innovative solutions were devised to address challenges, and conflicts were resolved through attentive listening and relationship-building.

Volunteer

Children's Bereavement Center
06.2022 - 12.2023
  • Maintained a positive and encouraging atmosphere to cultivate motivation among group members in the pursuit of their objectives.
  • This involved consistently monitoring and evaluation student progress through regular assessments and feedback sessions, allowing for a dynamic understanding of their development.
  • Actively assumed a leadership role by facilitating and co-facilitating biweekly group meetings, during which support, and guidance were provided to address individual needs and collective goals.
  • Additionally, efforts were made to establish a safe and conductive environment by setting explicit behavior expectations, ensuring the overall well-being and harmony of the group.

Student Counselor Intern

Children's Bereavement Center
01.2023 - 12.2023
  • Close collaboration was held with supervisor for treatment plans and progress notes.
  • The implementation of behavior management plans was taken for clients who experience challenging behaviors, and crisis interventions services were offered to address immediate health needs.
  • The integration of regular self-reflection played a crucial role in identifying areas for personal and professional growth.
  • Meeting the diverse needs of individuals students involved conducting personalized counseling sessions, organizing group meetings, and facilitating support group activities, ensuring a comprehensive and holistic approach to their well-being.

Volunteer

National Alliance on Mental Health Illness
02.2022 - 03.2022
  • Leveraged community resource expertise to guide clients to relevant sources.
  • Actively promoted and volunteer program through various channels such as flyers, newsletters, and social media.
  • Additionally, provided support through peer interaction within groups, fostering a collaborative environment.

Education

Masters of Education - Counseling and Development

LAMAR UNIVERSITY
BEAUMONT, TX
12.2023

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

UNIVERSITY OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY
EDINBURG, TX
05.2021

Associates of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies

SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE
WESLACO, TX
05.2019

Skills

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office
  • Problem-solving
  • Advocacy
  • Reliability and punctuality
  • Case planning
  • Organized and efficient
  • Time management
  • Progress assessment
  • Treatment planning
  • Team collaboration

References

  • Carlos Santos, General Manager, Olive Garden, 956-618-9886
  • Cindy Waddle, Senior Counselor, Children's Bereavement Center, 956-386-4065
  • Christian Garibay, Manager, Olive Garden, 956-355-9864
  • Amber Phelps, LPC-A, Serenity Counseling Center, 409-489-8843

Timeline

Case Manager

Tropical Texas Behavioral Health
02.2024 - Current

Student Counselor Intern

Children's Bereavement Center
01.2023 - 12.2023

Volunteer

Children's Bereavement Center
06.2022 - 12.2023

Volunteer

National Alliance on Mental Health Illness
02.2022 - 03.2022

Service Professional

Olive Garden
05.2017 - 02.2024

Masters of Education - Counseling and Development

LAMAR UNIVERSITY

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

UNIVERSITY OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Associates of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies

SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE

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