Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
LANGUAGES
Timeline
Generic

MARIA VALENZUELA

Chicago

Summary

Experienced Mental Health Professional with expertise in crisis intervention, trauma informed care, and case management. Proficient in utilizing telehealth platforms and psychological assessment tools for effective client support and accurate treatment planning. Committed to improving therapy outcomes through evidence-based practices and continuous professional development.

Overview

4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Violence Recovery Specialist III

University of Chicago Medicine
07.2024 - Current
  • Provide trauma-informed care and crisis intervention to violence survivors, fostering healing and resilience in the community.
  • Assess patient needs, develop tailored recovery plans, and track progress metrics to ensure effective support and resource allocation.
  • Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive care, enhancing patient outcomes through integrated support services.
  • Pioneer holistic approaches to violence recovery, combining crisis intervention techniques with long-term healing strategies to promote sustainable community resilience.
  • Provided bilingual translations between patients and medical staff when translation services were unavailable.
  • Identified community partners available to assist in case management depending on patient needs.
  • Identified the need for a Spanish informative document explaining the details of the program and created a Spanish one-pager to be distributed to Spanish-speaking patients.
  • Provided crisis management at bedside for patients who were victims of violence.
  • Assists in the facilitation of death notifications for family members of patients who expire in the emergency room.
  • Facilitates death viewings for the patient's family.
  • Advocates for patients' legal rights to make phone calls and attend court hearings through Zoom.
  • Advocates for patient's legal rights in case they wish to not engage with police during arrival to the emergency room.

Mental Health Counselor-Clinical Extern

Malcolm X College, Wellness Center
08.2023 - 05.2024
  • Conducted intake sessions via telehealth and in person to students
  • Conducted crisis services such as risk assessments, safety planning, mood regulation
  • Managed hour-long therapy sessions via in-person and telehealth
  • Effectively administered CCAPS62 to gauge student distress, enhancing support strategies
  • Case management services such as providing emergency food, hygiene kits, community resources, and referrals
  • Collaborated with clients to complete emergency funding applications
  • Incorporated interventions using cognitive behavioral therapy and attachment theory
  • Referred to DSM-5-TR for diagnosis and psychoeducation
  • Monitored and documented therapy progress, ensuring accurate adaptation of treatment plans
  • Record of treatment progress and treatment summary
  • Collaboration between clinician and supervisor
  • Implementation of workshops and activities based on client's needs

Intake Coordinator-Mental Health Counselor

COUNSELING SPEAKS, LLC
02.2022 - 06.2022
  • Mastered use of Therapy Notes, Telehealth, and Zoom for client management
  • Ensured client comfort and trust through the creation of safe, confidential spaces
  • Demonstrated proficiency in DSM diagnosis
  • Provided counseling for a diverse client base facing various crises, anxiety, and home life issues
  • Provided clinical services to adolescent and adult clients

Emergency Room Crisis Counselor

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS
09.2021 - 10.2021
  • Evaluated risk to client or others by gathering information and conducting assessments
  • Devised individual treatment plans based on the patient's medical history and diagnosis
  • Completed required documentation for continued therapy coverage by insurance companies to meet deadlines
  • Answered an average of20 calls, emails, and faxes per night during a12-hour shift
  • Demonstrated cultural and linguistic sensitivity to the clients and families
  • Counseled and assisted clients and caregivers in crisis situations
  • Provided case management services such as treatment plans, resource guides, and insurance information for clients

Student Internship-Floating Doctors

ADLER UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIP
10.2020 - 07.2021
  • Reported to instructor and management to receive day-to-day tasks and responsibilities
  • Provided clerical support by handling a wide range of routine and special requests efferently
  • Translated and transcribed documents and surveys from Spanish to English and vice versa
  • Created a presentation on COVID-19's effects on domestic abuse in Latin American Countries
  • Administered surveys to faculty and patient stationed in Panama

Education

Master of Arts - Forensic Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
05.2024

Master of Arts - Forensic Mental Health and Leadership

Adler University
12.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Roosevelt University
01.2019

Skills

  • Victim advocacy
  • De-escalation techniques
  • Empathy development
  • Suicide prevention
  • Mental health first aid
  • Victim assistance and support
  • Social-emotional learning
  • Team collaboration
  • Client representation
  • Mediation
  • Crisis support
  • Case management

Certification

  • SEP2023 - SEP2025
  • QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper Training at QPR Institute, Inc.

LANGUAGES

Spanish

Timeline

Violence Recovery Specialist III

University of Chicago Medicine
07.2024 - Current

Mental Health Counselor-Clinical Extern

Malcolm X College, Wellness Center
08.2023 - 05.2024

Intake Coordinator-Mental Health Counselor

COUNSELING SPEAKS, LLC
02.2022 - 06.2022

Emergency Room Crisis Counselor

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS
09.2021 - 10.2021

Student Internship-Floating Doctors

ADLER UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIP
10.2020 - 07.2021

Master of Arts - Forensic Mental Health and Leadership

Adler University

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

Roosevelt University
  • SEP2023 - SEP2025
  • QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper Training at QPR Institute, Inc.

Master of Arts - Forensic Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
MARIA VALENZUELA