LORI A. HERRERA, LPC
Cherry Hill,NJ
Summary
Diligent License Professional Counselor exercising competency in broad subject-matter counseling therapies, including trauma, grief and career counseling. Knowledgeable in youth and adolescent development, including social, behavioral, emotional and cognitive strategies. Talented in meetings the objectives of the counseling program by providing preventive education, advocacy, mediation and counseling to students and adults. Sensitive to socioeconomic and cultural differences of all persons.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavioral Health School Counselor
Philadelphia School District
10.2021 - Current
- Created environment in which 400 students have access to direct and indirect services that address behavioral and behavioral health needs
- Implements evidence-based, behavioral, social and emotional interventions to address student concerns including problem solving, conflict resolution, self-esteem, coping strategies, peer relationships and other issues
- Provides direct and indirect counseling services to students and their families to address behavioral, social, emotional and behavioral health needs
- Served primary agent for addressing transition of students to and from psychiatric placement and participates in discharge planning meetings
- Served school-based resource for dealing with child abuse/neglect and crisis prevention/intervention
- Participates in team interventions with other staff to support students
- Participates on school's multi-disciplinary team that includes other staff members
- Participates in interagency team meetings to address student's behavioral health needs
- Serves as primary liaison and collaborates with school-based behavioral health providers
- Collaborates with families, teachers and other staff in planning and implementation of counseling program for students that addresses behavioral, social, emotional and behavioral health needs of students
- Established continuum-of-service resources guide for students and families to access behavioral health and other community-based supports that address social and emotional needs
- Provides support to students and families to access behavioral health resources
- Makes referrals to outside agencies as needed and provides ongoing follow-up services to students and their families.
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
- Assisted students in developing academic plans by conducting comprehensive review of their strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
- Developed safe and supportive school environment by promoting positive behavior and addressing issues such as bullying and harassment.
Instructor and Counselor
West Chester University
01.2019 - Current
- Provide individual and group evidence-based counseling to 10-15 students
- Conduct weekly psycho-educational groups
- Provide environment in which students have access to direct and indirect services that address behavioral health needs
- Established continuum-of-service resource guide for students to access behavioral health and other community based supports that address, mental health, social and emotional needs that is posted on WCU Philadelphia Website
- Participate in monthly meetings with other WCU Faculty members.
Climate Liaison
Philadelphia School District
01.2019 - 10.2021
- Meets with students, staff and families to provide assistance in meeting social, emotional and behavioral needs of 420 student
- Implement lunch/recess behavioral strategies
- Supervise and train School Climate Staff
- Conduct parental conferences / reinstatements
- Participate interagency team meetings to address student's behavioral health needs
- Complete / investigate ODR's within School Information Systems
- Monitor student's attendance
- Participate in crisis intervention
- Assist school staff with student behaviors, by implementation different behavioral steps and assist with implementing new techniques in school environment
- Outreach to community agencies to assist with student behaviors within school setting.
School Based Behavioral Specialist Consultant
COMHAR Mental Health
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Write and monitor behavioral treatment plans for 12 children diagnosed with behavioral and mental health disorders
- These disorders include, but are not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA)
- Engages with family, in their own homes, in schools and within community to assist with identifying resources to enhance treatment
- Provide assistance in development of adaptive skills in order for the diagnosed child to take a more positive role in the school, home & community setting
- Provide prescribed behavioral consultation to family and / or school
- Working closely with counselors and social workers for dealing with behavioral crisis-intervention and acute behavioral issues
- Participate in interagency team meetings to address student's behavioral health needs
- Train 10 Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS) on Positive Behavioral Support Plans.
- Enhanced clients'' behavioral management by implementing individualized treatment plans and interventions.
- Evaluated clients'' progress regularly, adjusting interventions as needed to ensure consistent improvement.
- Provided crisis intervention support for individuals experiencing behavioral emergencies or escalating situations.
- Established rapport with clients and families, fostering trust and open communication throughout therapeutic process.
Clinical Supervisor and Welcome Center Coordinator
COMHAR Mental Health
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Provides recovery oriented, trauma informed and culturally competent clinical supervision to 10 Mental Health and Substance Abuse therapists along with 5 social work master level interns
- Works in collaboration with Outpatient Director, Assistant Medical Director, Psychologist and therapeutic staff to ensure quality services and data collection
- Participates in case conferences with therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, care managers and peer specialists
- Assists with crisis management and de-escalation
- Provides on-call responsibilities
- Provides individual, family and group psychotherapy PRN at direction of director
- Provides NIAC, Evidence Based Practices and state regulated training to MH and SA therapists
- Obtains extensive knowledge of substance use protocols and regulations and collaborates with multi-disciplinary teams
- Thoroughly documents recovery oriented, trauma informed supervision and trainings
- Chart monitoring/audits to ensure that treatment plans, progress summaries, discharge summaries are in line with Network Inclusion Criteria Standards for Excellence
- Provides clinical supervision for clinically challenging cases.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular staff meetings, case conferences, and training sessions.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based treatment plans and clinical interventions.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by conducting regular audits of clinical records and procedures.
- Provided supervision to 10 therapists in training, offering guidance and feedback on their professional development journey.
Case Manager
COMHAR Mental Health
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Manage caseload of 30 adults who meet State's definition of severely and persistently mentally ill
- Assess, link and monitor adults to services prescribed by treatment team to help stabilize consumer
- Maintains and updates client case files and records by reviewing case notes, logging events and tracking progress
- Monitoring visits include monthly home/residential visits to assure that living conditions meet minimum standards and that adult is functioning at acceptable level
- Facilitate group of 8 to 10 clients who meet every two weeks and complete fundraisers within community to raise money for local charities.
- Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
School Based Personal Care Assistant
Kensington Management Services
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Provide one-on-one behavioral health interventions to child or adolescents with serious physical and/or emotional disturbances
- Produce daily documentation and collect data on their client
- Assist client in developing age-appropriate self-management skills.
- Enhanced client well-being by assisting with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Promoted independence with structured routines and clear communication to support clients in their daily lives.
School Based Therapeutic Support Staff
Holcomb Behavioral Health
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Provide one-on-one behavioral health interventions to child or adolescents with serious emotional and/or disturbances
- Produce daily documentation and collect data on their client
- Assist client in developing age-appropriate self-management skills.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
Education
Advanced Certification in K-12 School Counseling - School Counseling
Eastern University
St. David05.2022
Certification - Certification in Addition Studies
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA05.2015
Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology
Immaculata University
Immaculata, PA05.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Applied Psychology
Penn State University
Berks, PA05.2004
Skills
- License Professional Counselor
- Individual and group counselor
- Graduate instructor
- Crisis Intervention Strategies
- Data-driven and Evidence Based decision making
- Team collaboration and Leadership
- Youth, adolescent and adult counselor
- DBT qualified
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support
- Alcohol and Substance Abuse Certification
- Cultural Competency
- Individual and Family Support
- Academic Support
- Active Listening
- Flexible and Adaptable
Timeline
Behavioral Health School Counselor
Philadelphia School District
10.2021 - Current
Instructor and Counselor
West Chester University
01.2019 - Current
Climate Liaison
Philadelphia School District
01.2019 - 10.2021
School Based Behavioral Specialist Consultant
COMHAR Mental Health
01.2015 - 01.2019
Clinical Supervisor and Welcome Center Coordinator
COMHAR Mental Health
01.2014 - 01.2019
Case Manager
COMHAR Mental Health
01.2013 - 01.2015
School Based Personal Care Assistant
Kensington Management Services
01.2012 - 01.2013
School Based Therapeutic Support Staff
Holcomb Behavioral Health
01.2011 - 01.2013
Advanced Certification in K-12 School Counseling - School Counseling
Eastern University
Certification - Certification in Addition Studies
Immaculata University
Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology
Immaculata University
Bachelor of Arts - Applied Psychology
Penn State University