Maria J. Plasencia, MA, LAC, NCC
Hackettstown
Summary
Bilingual Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), fluent in English and Spanish, with experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families. Focused on treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and life transitions, while addressing emotional challenges through culturally responsive care, crisis intervention, and a collaborative, supportive approach.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Therapist
Kimberly Schaffer, LLC DBA Attentive Psychotherapy
09.2025 - Current
- Developed personalized treatment plans based on client assessments and needs.
- Conducted individual therapy to children, teens, and adults with anxiety, depression, and life transition concerns.
- Ensured precise and timely documentation within electronic health record systems.
- Engaged in weekly individual and group supervision to monitor client progress and refine treatment approaches.
Office Administrator
Procare Rehabilitation LLC
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.
Behavioral Child Outpatient Clinical Intern
Center For Family Services.
01.2024 - 05.2025
- Provided individual, family, and group counseling to clients across diverse age groups (children, adolescents, adults, older adults) with a focus on culturally competent care.
- Conducted comprehensive mental health assessments and developed individualized treatment plans.
- Collaborated in weekly clinical team meetings and supervision to review client progress and adjust treatment strategies.
- Connected clients with community resources through assessments, referrals, and follow-ups.
- Documented client progress, maintaining accurate records in compliance with HIPAA and ethical standards.
Office Administrative Assistant
Hampton Counseling Center
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
- Crisis Intervention
- Cultural Competence
- Treatment Planning
- Community Outreach
- Individual, Family and Group counseling
- HIPAA compliance
Certification
- Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Volunteer Experience
Integrity House, Newark, NJ.
- Assisted with correspondence, restocking supplies, and administrative tasks.
- Maintained clinical documentation, including medication records, and updated patient/insurance data.
- Created reports containing confidential information.
Catholic Charities, Paterson, NJ.
- Ensured facilities were clean and organized.
- Sorted and distributed goods 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.
Timeline
Associate Therapist
Kimberly Schaffer, LLC DBA Attentive Psychotherapy
09.2025 - 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