Maria J. Plasencia, MA, LAC, NCC
Hackettstown,NJ
Summary
Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) with experience providing outpatient mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults. Skilled in clinical assessment, treatment planning, documentation, and career counseling with adolescents and young adults. Background includes collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, administrative support, and community outreach. Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Therapist
Kimberly Schaffer, LLC DBA Attentive Psychotherapy
Hackettstown, NJ
07.2025 - Current
- Provide individual therapy to children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and life transitions.
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans based on comprehensive client assessments.
- Provide career exploration and counseling support to adolescent and young adult clients navigating educational and career decisions.
- Maintain accurate clinical documentation within electronic health record systems and participate in weekly supervision and case consultation.
Behavioral Child Outpatient Clinical Intern
Center For Family Services.
Rockaway, NJ
01.2024 - 05.2025
- Provided individual, family, and group counseling to children, adolescents, and adults.
- Conducted assessments, developed treatment plans, and maintained clinical documentation.
- Participated in weekly supervision and team meetings to review cases.
- Assisted with community outreach, program events, and referrals to connect families with services.
Office Administrator
Procare Rehabilitation LLC
Whitehouse Station, NJ
04.2024 - 05.2025
- Managed patient records while ensuring HIPAA compliance.
- Organized and maintained filing systems, including electronic databases and records.
- Verified insurance coverage for appointments and collected co-payments as required.
- Scheduled and followed up on patient appointments, collected and processed patient payments and maintained patient files.
Office Administrative Assistant
Hampton Counseling Center
Hampton, NJ
02.2022 - 04.2024
- Facilitated intakes and prepared service tour-of-duty letters for veterans' PTSD benefits applications.
- Provided administrative support for psychological assessments to enhance operational efficiency.
- Assisted veterans in gathering essential documentation for benefits claims, increasing approval rates.
- Ensured confidentiality and HIPAA compliance by managing therapy notes and utilizing Medisoft software.
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ05-2025
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ05-2022
Skills
- Community Outreach
- Student Mentoring
- Organizational and Administrative Support
- Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning
- Individual, Family, and Group Counseling
- Crisis Intervention
- Clinical Documentation and HIPAA Compliance
Certification
- Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Volunteer Experience
Graduate Student Mentor (Volunteer) Montclair State University – Montclair, NJ
- Mentored incoming graduate counseling students by providing guidance on program expectations, coursework, and professional development.
Volunteer Assistant Integrity House – Newark, NJ
- Assisted with administrative tasks, correspondence, and maintaining organized records.
Volunteer Catholic Charities -Paterson, NJ
- Supported community outreach efforts by organizing and distributing resources to families in need.
- Created a veterans' closet for veterans without a home.
Professional Development
- Certificate of Completion: Certification in Counseling Interventions and Evidence-Based Treatment for Specific Issues with Children and Youth (ACA), 2025.
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Associate Therapist
Kimberly Schaffer, LLC DBA Attentive Psychotherapy
07.2025 - Current
Office Administrator
Procare Rehabilitation LLC
04.2024 - 05.2025
Behavioral Child Outpatient Clinical Intern
Center For Family Services.
01.2024 - 05.2025
Office Administrative Assistant
Hampton Counseling Center
02.2022 - 04.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Rutgers University
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Montclair State University