Maximilian Ruiz DeZarate
Portland
Summary
Prospective social worker with a solid foundation in social work practices and effective client engagement. Gained valuable experience through hands-on internships, contributing to program development and client support. Demonstrated strong skills in case management and therapeutic communication.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
MSW Clinical Intern
The Center at Heron Hill
Canby, OR
09.2025 - Current
- Conducted client assessments to identify treatment needs and develop personalized care plans.
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions in trauma-informed, culturally responsive ways in service of providing a safe and comfortable therapeutic container for clients to heal within.
- Facilitated a social skills group for 10-13, promoting peer support vonviolent communication, and collaborative problem solving
Field Instructor
New Vision Wilderness
Bend, OR
02.2021 - 03.2023
- Directed therapeutic backpacking & wilderness expeditions for clients ages 12-25 to foster emotional self-sufficiency and promote health & wellness.
- Worked with and advocated for clients, ensuring the program and therapists met each client's therapeutic and physical needs.
- Built and sustained long-lasting relationships with participants by utilizing the trauma-informed relational model.
- Administered medications and liaised closely with HQ during excursions.
- Instructed interpersonal communication and led therapeutically-focused wilderness activities to explore clients' therapeutic processes in a safe and encouraging environment.
Behavior Technician
Connecting the Pieces
Wayne, PA
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Supported students who have experienced significant mental health challenges, are recovering from physical ailments, and/or have missed extensive amounts of school.
- Monitored and recorded students' daily and monthly progress data.
- Assisted in the development and adaptation of materials for individualized student education plans.
- Provided direct short-term instruction to students to support their reintegration into their classrooms and increase autonomy.
Community Outreach Intern/Volunteer
Siloam Wellness
Philadelphia, PA
04.2018 - 12.2018
- Co-facilitated a collaborative weekly mindfulness/wellness group for individuals living with or impacted by HIV/AIDs in Philadelphia.
- Organized the community pantry and public transit token distribution for 30+ individuals weekly.
- Met individually with community members to discuss what additional resources would benefit them and connected them to the proper channel to access those resources.
- Coordinated group outings around the city to connect individuals living with HIV/AIDs to promote deeper community and stronger support networks.
Education
Wilderness First Responder -
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
Mount Hood, OR01-2021
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) 150-hour certificate - undefined
CIEE
Boston, MA01-2019
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA01-2017
Master of Social Work -
Portland State University
Portland, OR06-2026
Skills
- Trauma-informed practices
- Community education
- group facilitation
- interdisciplinary teamwork
- public speaking
- curriculum design
- excursion organizing
- conflict resolution
- empathetic listening
Timeline
MSW Clinical Intern
The Center at Heron Hill
09.2025 - Current
Field Instructor
New Vision Wilderness
02.2021 - 03.2023
Community Outreach Intern/Volunteer
Siloam Wellness
04.2018 - 12.2018
Behavior Technician
Connecting the Pieces
01.2017 - 01.2020
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) 150-hour certificate - undefined
CIEE
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Temple University
Wilderness First Responder -
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
Master of Social Work -
Portland State University