Maria Palermo
Greater Philadelphia Area,,PA
Summary
- Hardworking and passionate professional with strong interpersonal, outreach, and facilitation skills, eager to secure Restorative Justice Strategist position. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment while serving and collaborating with diverse groups of people.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Eating Disorder Therapist
Banyan Treatment Center
06.2023 - Current
- Provide individual counseling and group therapy to, and facilitate family sessions with, teen and adult eating disorder clients with co-occurring disorders.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for clients with complex needs.
- Maintain detailed case notes and documentation, ensuring effective tracking of progress and continuity of care across providers.
- Implement time management strategies to ensure full caseloads were effectively managed, maintaining high-quality care for all clients.
Family Case Coordinator
Health Federation of Philadelphia
04.2017 - 09.2019
- Conducted weekly home visits to assess families' living conditions, identify potential risks, determine families' unique strengths and needs, and tailor interventions and services needed for improved quality of life.
- Promoted positive parenting practices among clients through guidance on childhood development principles and discipline approaches grounded in research-based best practices.
- Provided ongoing emotional support to clients, helping them navigate complex challenges associated with family dynamics, mental health, or substance abuse issues.
- Served as a liaison between families, service providers, doctors, courts, schools, and other stakeholders involved in individual cases.
Outreach Worker | Manager On Duty | Residential Staff
Covenant House Pennsylvania
11.2014 - 03.2017
- Supported homeless youth and human trafficking victims by building rapport and advocating on behalf of clients experiencing discrimination.
- Delivered street-based services such as counseling, emergency referrals, and the provision of life-sustaining supplies.
- Developed strong relationships with local organizations and served as a liaison between clients and service providers, connecting individuals to appropriate resources through needs assessments, referrals, and follow-ups.
- Organized community events and lobbied in state capital to raise awareness about youth homelessness, human trafficking, political advocacy, and available resources, to promote community engagement and develop a network of service providers.
- Improved outreach program effectiveness by continually evaluating and updating strategies based on community feedback and needs.
Co-founder/Director
Student Initiative to Feed Community Homeless
10.2006 - 05.2009
- Built rapport with local homeless adults while providing connection and resources.
- Coordinated the collection and dissemination of food, clothing, blankets, and toiletries.
- Established foundational processes for volunteer operations.
- Grew the client base through targeted outreach and events.
- Networked with, and recruited, students to increase volunteer base and donations.
- Conducted ongoing needs-assessments and resource acquisition.
- Navigated complex legal requirements to ensure compliance with industry regulations while minimizing risk exposure for the business.
Data Support Assistant
Public Health Management Corporation
01.2024 - Current
- Ensure the DHS Parenting Collaborative program has current records by entering all relevant and confidential documents
- Assist with the procurement of grant money by generating progress reports from the entered data.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Primary Therapist/SAGE Group Facilitator
The Renfrew Center of Southern New Jersey
07.2023 - 02.2024
- Co-facilitated weekly telehealth outpatient, SAGE group therapy sessions, utilizing CBT and DBT principles, and promoting interpersonal growth and increased self-awareness among participants.
- Built and maintained therapeutic relationships, fostering positive, supportive and empowering client environments.
- Increased client engagement in therapy sessions through the use of empathetic listening and motivational interviewing techniques.
- Empowered clients to take ownership of their recovery process by teaching essential coping skills and strategies for managing stressors outside of therapy sessions.
- Documented client progress to track effectiveness and inform future treatment.
Cashier
The Foodery Roxborough
12.2021 - 02.2023
- Ensure the store remains clean and well-stocked
- Greeted customers entering store and responded promptly to customer needs.
- Assisted customers with inquiries and provided exceptional service, resulting in positive feedback from shoppers.
- Worked closely with shift manager to solve problems and handle customer concerns.
- Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Operated cash register for cash and credit card transactions with excellent accuracy levels.
- Restocked and organized merchandise throughout the store.
Practicum Student Counselor
Lower Merion Counseling and Mobile Services
05.2021 - 09.2021
- Observed and independently led weekly individual therapy sessions with adult clients presenting with behavioral health disorders.
- Adapted counseling techniques to best suit individual needs of each client.
- Observed weekly group sessions with dual-diagnosis adult clients in sobriety
- Empowered clients to develop healthy coping mechanisms through psychoeducation on behavioral health topics relevant to their experiences.
- Maintained professional boundaries while fostering trusting relationships with clients, creating a safe and supportive environment for growth and change.
- Contacted potential waitlist clients via telephone for brief check-ins and updated and maintained accuracy of such spreadsheets
Graduate Assistant
Arcadia University, International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program
01.2020 - 08.2021
- Created and designed biweekly newsletters to be disseminated to current students and recent alumni
- Researched and organized information regarding resumes, cover letters, and job/internship opportunities.
Caregiver
Home Instead Senior Care
07.2014 - 10.2014
- Provided non-medical companionship and home-helper services to three elderly clients
- Established rapport with clients to individualize treatment delivery and enhance each client’s quality of life.
Case Manager
Bethesda Project
11.2010 - 02.2011
- Built strong rapport with program residents while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
- Connected residents to social services to address their mental health, medical concerns, substance abuse, employment, public assistance benefits, and other personal enrichment and life skills as needed
- Collaborated with residents to move and settle them into brand new shelter while implementing innovative, vanguard program.
Eating Disorder Therapist Intern
The Renfrew Center of Radnor
09.2022 - 04.2023
- Completed 600-hour internship working with a diverse group of teen and adult clients presenting with eating disorders and co-occurring disorders.
- Developed rapport with diverse client populations, fostering trust and facilitating open communication during individual and group therapy sessions.
- Maintained detailed records of individual and group therapy sessions, ensuring accurate documentation of client progress and adherence to ethical guidelines.
- Advocated for client needs within larger healthcare systems by collaborating with other mental health professionals and presenting client cases to insurance providers to obtain coverage extensions.
Child Protective Services Caseworker
Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth
03.2012 - 06.2012
- Diligently assessed and ensured the safety and welfare of children and families engaged with the child welfare system through home visits and evidence-based assessment tools.
- Developed strong rapport with clients by building trust through empathy, active listening, and cultural sensitivity.
- Improved child and family outcomes by conducting thorough assessments and developing comprehensive case plans.
- Reduced the risk of abuse or neglect through proactive monitoring visits to homes, schools, and other relevant settings.
- Empowered families to make positive changes by identifying strengths and providing guidance on parenting strategies.
- Implemented permanency planning processes that prioritized reunification efforts while also considering alternative placement options when necessary.
- Identified, and developed strong connections with, social service agencies and community resources to provide tailored treatment to families.
Education
Master of Arts - International Peace And Conflict Resolution
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA12.2022
Master of Arts - Counseling (Trauma Concentration)
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA05.2023
Certificate in Diplomatic Tradecraft -
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA05.2022
Certificate in Mediation -
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA12.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology, Psychology, English
The University of Tampa
Tampa, FL05.2009
Skills
- Teamwork/Collaboration and Independent Work
- Leadership Qualities
- Problem-Solving
- Community Outreach
- Group facilitation
- Advocacy background
Extensive international travel
- Traveled throughout Africa, Middle East, Australia, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands.
Timeline
Data Support Assistant
Public Health Management Corporation
01.2024 - Current
Primary Therapist/SAGE Group Facilitator
The Renfrew Center of Southern New Jersey
07.2023 - 02.2024
Eating Disorder Therapist
Banyan Treatment Center
06.2023 - Current
Eating Disorder Therapist Intern
The Renfrew Center of Radnor
09.2022 - 04.2023
Cashier
The Foodery Roxborough
12.2021 - 02.2023
Practicum Student Counselor
Lower Merion Counseling and Mobile Services
05.2021 - 09.2021
Graduate Assistant
Arcadia University, International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program
01.2020 - 08.2021
Family Case Coordinator
Health Federation of Philadelphia
04.2017 - 09.2019
Outreach Worker | Manager On Duty | Residential Staff
Covenant House Pennsylvania
11.2014 - 03.2017
Caregiver
Home Instead Senior Care
07.2014 - 10.2014
Child Protective Services Caseworker
Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth
03.2012 - 06.2012
Case Manager
Bethesda Project
11.2010 - 02.2011
Co-founder/Director
Student Initiative to Feed Community Homeless
10.2006 - 05.2009
Master of Arts - International Peace And Conflict Resolution
Arcadia University
Master of Arts - Counseling (Trauma Concentration)
Arcadia University
Certificate in Diplomatic Tradecraft -
Arcadia University
Certificate in Mediation -
Arcadia University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology, Psychology, English
The University of Tampa
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