Melissa Blackson
Baton Rouge,LA
Summary
Dedicated and Passionate Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor with over 1 year of experience providing wide variety of individual, group and familial counseling techniques and intervention strategies; 5 years of professional experience over all. Proficient conducting individual and group counseling sessions. Strong background in treating adolescents and young adults with anxiety, depression, mental, and behavioral health disorders.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC)
Focused Family Services
Baton Rouge, LA
04.2023 - Current
- Manage caseload of 20 plus patients with behavioral health disorders while maintaining up-to-date clinical documentation ( case notes, progress notes, etc.) via electronic record keeping systems.
- Utilize advanced counseling skills and evidence-based practices to establish goals and treatment plans to all clients.
- Develop goal-oriented psycho-educational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Direct family-centered, strengths-based, culturally competent and individualized intakes and assessments.
- Counsel individuals, groups and families to bring awareness of problems, deal with crisis situations and develop action plans.
- Maintain and updated patient records, changes in service plans, and treatment reports.
- Document patient information through analyzing data, interview notes and test results, and identified and diagnosed nature of clients' problems.
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC)
New Approaches Mental Health Services
New Iberia, LA
04.2023 - Current
- Manage caseload of 20 plus clients with behavioral health disorders while maintaining up-to-date clinical documentation ( case notes, progress notes, etc.) via electronic record keeping systems.
- Utilize advanced counseling skills and evidence-based practices to establish goals and treatment plans to all clients.
- Develop goal-oriented psycho-educational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Direct family-centered, strengths-based, culturally competent and individualized intakes and assessments.
- Counsel individuals, groups and families to bring awareness of problems, deal with crisis situations and develop action plans.
- Maintain and updated patient records, changes in service plans, and treatment reports.
- Document patient information through analyzing data, interview notes and test results, and identified and diagnosed nature of clients' problems
School Counselor
IDEA Public Schools
Baton Rouge, LA
11.2022 - 03.2023
- Conducted weekly individual and group counseling sessions with high priority students on caseload of 15+
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement.
- Collaborated with parents, school faculty and social workers to address problems and grow student success.
- Provided students with support and guidance on how to deal with problems.
- Mediated and improved relationships between students, parents, and teachers.
- Conducted assessments to determine students' strengths, weaknesses, interests, and aptitudes.
Case Manager
HCO Behavioral Health
Baton Rouge, LA
09.2022 - 11.2022
- Identified care needs of individual patients and coordinated responses based on physician advice, insurance limitations and procedural costs.
- Evaluated treatment plans against individual goals and healthcare standards.
- Documented patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
- Managed caseload of 15+ individuals in welfare system to provide comprehensive, community-based care.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
Elev8 Treatment And Legacy Center
Baton Rouge, LA
01.2022 - 04.2022
- Managed caseload of 15 patients with substance dependence while maintaining up-to-date clinical documentation ( case notes, progress notes, etc.) via electronic record keeping systems.
- Led individual and group (5-12 persons) psychotherapy sessions to clients with substance abuse dependency and mental health issues.
- Conducted in depth biopsychosocial assessments to all new and returning patients using a variety of psychological methods and techniques.
- Worked collaboratively with patients to develop realistic and obtainable 3 month and 6 month treatment plan goals and ensuring patient confidentiality
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
I CARE
Baton Rouge, LA
08.2021 - 12.2021
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to children ages 3-12
- Supported and assessed children struggling with issues such as familial relationships, depression and anxiety, body image concerns, bullying, etc. and devised strategies based on client needs.
- Applied psychotherapeutic techniques and interventions in delivery of services to children and families to treat diagnosed emotional and mental disorders.
- Applied variety of psychological methods and techniques in screening, assessment and evaluation of clients.
Graduate Assistant
Southern University And A&m College - Baton Rouge La
Baton Rouge, LA
08.2019 - 12.2021
- Provided assistance to graduate school faculty members in the process of data collection for possible academic publications.
- Supported department members with administrative, research and academic assistance.
- Liaised between faculty and students to answer questions and optimize faculty time.
Teacher's Assistant
Belfair Montessori Magnant School
Baton Rouge, LA
02.2019 - 06.2019
- Collaborated with teachers for lesson preparation by preparing materials and setting up equipment for 20 students.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
- Used behavior modeling and specialized teaching techniques to share and reinforce social skills.
Executive B.A.Y.O.U Camp Counselor
Southern University And A&m College - Baton Rouge La
Baton Rouge, LA
06.2015 - 06.2017
- Guided group of 20 Senior and Junior high school students through comprehensive college readiness program designed to prepare them for transition to higher education.
- Conducted workshops on college applications, essay writing, financial aid, and interview skills, equipping campers with essential tools for successful college admissions.
- Facilitated mock college classes to simulate academic demands of higher education, promoting critical thinking and time management skills.
- Offered personalized guidance to campers on identifying potential colleges, majors, and career paths based on their interests and goals.
- Organized campus tours giving campers firsthand exposure to various campus environments and resources.
- Collaborated with guest speakers, including college admissions officers and current students, to provide insights into college application process and campus life.
- - Established supportive and inclusive camp community by fostering open discussions about diversity, inclusion, and challenges of college transition.
- Monitored campers' progress and growth, tracking their individual achievements and providing constructive feedback to help them thrive academically and personally.
- Worked closely with fellow counselors and camp staff to plan and execute camp-wide events, such as panel discussions, to further enhance camper knowledge and engagement.
- Assisted in managing administrative tasks, such as tracking attendance, coordinating transportation, and maintaining accurate camper records.
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Southern University And A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA05.2022
Bachelor of Science - Family And Consumer Sciences
Southern University And A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA12.2018
Skills
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Behavioral Health
- Psychosocial Assessments
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Empathetic and intuitive listener
- Rapport building on virtual platform
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Symptoms Monitoring
- Group Treatment
- Crisis Counseling
- Case Notes
- Emotional Support
Timeline
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC)
Focused Family Services
04.2023 - Current
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC)
New Approaches Mental Health Services
04.2023 - Current
School Counselor
IDEA Public Schools
11.2022 - 03.2023
Case Manager
HCO Behavioral Health
09.2022 - 11.2022
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
Elev8 Treatment And Legacy Center
01.2022 - 04.2022
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
I CARE
08.2021 - 12.2021
Graduate Assistant
Southern University And A&m College - Baton Rouge La
08.2019 - 12.2021
Teacher's Assistant
Belfair Montessori Magnant School
02.2019 - 06.2019
Executive B.A.Y.O.U Camp Counselor
Southern University And A&m College - Baton Rouge La
06.2015 - 06.2017
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Southern University And A & M College
Bachelor of Science - Family And Consumer Sciences
Southern University And A & M College
Certification
- LOCUS ( Level of Care Utilization System)
- First Aid/CPR Certified
Licensure
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC), Louisiana, 2022