Melissa Moore
Cropwell,AL
Summary
Compassionate Counselor focused on helping patients overcome personal obstacles. Diligent and resourceful professional with several years of hands-on experience diagnosing issues and cultivating personalized treatment plans. Comfortable working either autonomously or in team-based setting to resolve issues. Well-versed in collaborating with teams of practitioners to positively impact patient lives with a comprehensive approach.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Counselor
Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind
Talladega, AL
08.2023 - Current
- Establish collaborative relationships with parents and guardians in order to provide effective care for their children.
- Facilitate communication between school personnel, parents and guardians, therapists, psychiatrists, and other professionals involved in the student's care.
- Educate staff members about mental health issues affecting students so they can better respond appropriately to those needs.
- Coach students on how to manage emotions effectively while also teaching them how to recognize warning signs of distress before it becomes overwhelming.
- Provide individual and group counseling sessions for students.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student progress and treatment plans.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists, social workers, physicians, and other professionals.
- Develop crisis intervention strategies for individuals facing difficult situations or events.
- Provide information gathering, effective documentation, and assist with psychiatric days conducted on campus.
- Appropriately discuss concerns and collaborate effectively at quarterly Human Rights Committee meetings
- Set up and conduct Family Centered Interviews for new students.
- Monitor students’ medication administration (if any) and side effects.
Behavior Specialist
Alabama Institute For Deaf And Blind
Talladega, AL
08.2017 - 08.2023
- Conducted thorough Functional Behavior Assessments.
- Developed detailed and proficient Behavior Intervention Plans.
- Worked directly with students to reinforce strategies and model interventions with staff.
- Met individually with students for acute problem solving.
- Led Social Skills group known as "Empowering Kids."
- Collaborated effectively with administration, related service providers, teachers, and other staff members regarding effective implementation of students' Behavior Intervention Plan.
- Collaborated effectively with Autism Director and BCBA regarding recommended ABA techniques for students' with autism.
- Implemented techniques recommended by BCBA to targeted students.
- Organized and schedule psychiatric clinic days.
- Collaborated with AIDB psychiatrist regarding medication management and side effects, if any.
- Collaborated with Human Rights Committee members regarding students who have an active Behavior Intervention Plan and/or are under the care of AIDB psychiatrist for medication management.
- Led Problem Solving Team meetings, weekly, with related service members, administration, transition coach, nursing staff, and residential managers to discuss significant behavior concerns of students at school and/ or in the dorms.
- Trainer of staff for Managing Crisis Safely and is taught yearly to staff to upkeep required certification.
- Communicated effectively with deaf staff and students.
- Maintained detailed records of students' progress and effectiveness of behavior intervention plan and/or suggested interventions.
- Assisted with crisis intervention.
Out Patient Therapist
JBS Mental Health Authority
Pell City, AL
08.2016 - 08.2017
- Performed diagnostic assessments and intakes for children referred by school counselor and/or principal.
- Properly assessed needs and developed treatment plans for each client.
- Developed and maintained detailed and accurate client records.
- Met with clients 1-2 times per month at school to conduct individual sessions.
- Monitored clients’ mental health progress at home, school, and in the community by following up with parent(s)/ guardian(s), teachers/ staff, and other conducive individuals that contribute to the well being of the client.
- Monitored clients’ attendance, grades, and behavior at school through collaboration with school staff.
- Monitored clients’ medication administration (if any) and side effects.
- Conducted home visit appointments to provide individual family support and education to clients’ families to ensure understanding of clients’ diagnosis, mental health treatment, and continued support at home.
- Organized psychiatric clinic days.
- Collaborated with psychiatrist regarding clients’ mental health progress, medications, and family background.
- Assisted with crisis intervention.
- Attended Multi-Needs Meetings to collaborate with representatives from Juvenile Court, School Board, DHR, and other mental health professionals.
- Attended juvenile court hearings, as necessary, to advocate for clients.
Case Manager
JBS Mental Health Authority
Odenville, Ashville, AL
02.2011 - 08.2016
- Properly assessed needs and devised individualized service plan for each client.
- Served as a liaison between the client and various service providers to ensure continuity of care.
- Effectively implemented written service plans to meet client goals and objectives.
- Developed and maintained adequately detailed and accurate client records.
- Provided transportation to clients and families when necessary.
- Maintained contact with clients, guardians, school system, coaches, and any other primary caregiver and/or natural support linked to the client.
- Linked client and family to additional mental health and community based resources as needed.
- Monitored client’s progress at home, school, and in the community.
- Maintained a case load of 25 clients
- Assisted Out-Patient Therapist with co-leading Strengthening Families Parenting groups that provided support with increase in communication and well adaptive relationships among local family members in the community.
- Provided assistance with immediate crisis situations.
- Provided support, encouragement, and praise to clients and families as they demonstrated progress.
- Organized and scheduled psychiatric clinic days.
- Collaborated with JBS psychiatrist regarding clients' medication management.
- Organized psychiatric days.
- Completed and organized progress notes, case plans, releases, and all other medical records necessary for treatment.
- Conducted home visit appointments to provide individual family support and education to clients’ families to ensure understanding of clients’ diagnosis, mental health treatment, and continued support at home.
- Attended Multi-Needs Meetings to collaborate with representatives from Juvenile Court, School Board, DHR, and other mental health professionals.
- Attended juvenile court hearings, as necessary, to advocate for clients.
Education
Master of Science - Community Agency Counseling
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL12.2015
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL12.2010
Skills
- Associate Licensed Counselor
- Managing Crisis Safely (MCS) trainer
- Sign Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI) level of Advanced (ASL communication level)
Timeline
Counselor
Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind
08.2023 - Current
Behavior Specialist
Alabama Institute For Deaf And Blind
08.2017 - 08.2023
Out Patient Therapist
JBS Mental Health Authority
08.2016 - 08.2017
Case Manager
JBS Mental Health Authority
02.2011 - 08.2016
Master of Science - Community Agency Counseling
Jacksonville State University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University Of Alabama At Birmingham
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