Monica G. Lopez
Salinas,California
Summary
Bilingual Mental Health Counselor proficient in providing caring and methodological counseling services in diverse settings. Skilled in developing and maintaining therapeutic relationships and helping clients progress toward planned outcomes.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Associate
Hartnell Community College
Salinas, California
10.2021 - Current
- Conduct student intakes, keep appropriate progress notes, create treatment plans, and document services in accordance with legal and ethical practices.
- Treat wide range of clinical issues reflecting the broad diversity of ages and cultures in Hartnell College's student population.
- Display sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients served.
- Follow-up with referrals, conduct safety assessments, and provide crisis resources as needed.
- Work with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapist
The Equine Healing Collaborative
Carmel, California
10.2021 - Current
- Clinically assess, diagnose, evaluate, and provide appropriate therapeutic treatments in order to alleviate client’s mental health and emotional challenges.
- Implement different therapeutic interventions such as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, yoga, mindfulness, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
- Assist clients in developing new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
Mental Health Clinician
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance Inc
Watsonville, California
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Conducted evaluations, assessments, and therapy services to referred children, adolescents, adults, and their families in school, home, or community-based clinic setting.
- Facilitated group meetings, family meetings, and individual therapy sessions that enhanced behavioral stability for clients.
- Maintained Medi-Cal (EPSDT) documentation inclusive of Assessments, Treatment Plans and Progress Notes in electronic health record system in timely manner as required by program standards.
Overnight Counselor
Interim Inc
Salinas, California
04.2015 - 12.2020
- Assessed clients with severe psychiatric disabilities in psychological distress, for current potential of suicide, violence, and substance abuse.
- Provided informal supportive counseling and guidance to individual residents, listened, responded empathically, and engaged in problem solving.
- Remained aware of general mood/tone of residential home and acted in a manner responsive to the situation.
- Identified, assessed, and responded to crisis situations.
- Set clear limits and ensured that both residents and facility were safe.
- Assisted residents with self-administration of medications, maintained updated knowledge of psychiatric and medical medications, and kept accurate medication records.
Mental Health Counselor Intern
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance Inc
Watsonville, California
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Provided counseling for a variety of issues a student may be having from challenging classroom behavior to loss of a loved one, to family issues at home or bullying at school.
- Facilitated group meetings, family meetings and individual counseling session that enhanced behavioral stability for clients.
- Maintained documentation inclusive of Treatment Plans and Progress Notes in timely manner as required by program standards.
- Collaborated with clients, parents, and school faculty to address problems and grow student success.
Mental Health Counselor Intern
Veteran Transition Center, Martinez Hall
Marina, California
08.2018 - 05.2019
- Participated in implementing the “Becoming Project” among the Veteran population which centers on the use of Narrative Therapy.
- Provided case management services to Veterans experiencing homelessness in a transitional housing setting, with the primary focus of support with permanent housing, health, and income.
- Ensured services provided were in line with individualized treatment plans and kept detailed notes in order to track progress.
Weekend Activities Coordinator
Interim Inc
Salinas, California
05.2014 - 04.2015
- Assisted residents in their recovery and rehabilitation process, provided supervision of residents and facility and taught independent living, social skills, dual recovery skills and relapse prevention.
- Collaborated with clients to create monthly calendars for weekend activities (i.e., cooking classes, financial management workshops, recreational walks, library outings, game tournaments, artistic expression groups, etc.)
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Education
Master of Social Work -
California State University - Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA05.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University - Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA12.2015
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Hartnell Community College
Salinas, CA12.2013
Skills
- Advocacy Work
- Counseling Services
- Life Skills Counseling
- Mental Health Support
- Creative Thinking
- Constructive Feedback
- Effective Listening
- Crisis Evaluation and Intervention
Certification
- ASW - Associate Clinical Social Worker #97127
Timeline
Mental Health Associate
Hartnell Community College
10.2021 - Current
Equine Assisted Psychotherapist
The Equine Healing Collaborative
10.2021 - Current
Mental Health Clinician
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance Inc
01.2021 - 05.2021
Mental Health Counselor Intern
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance Inc
08.2019 - 06.2020
Mental Health Counselor Intern
Veteran Transition Center, Martinez Hall
08.2018 - 05.2019
Overnight Counselor
Interim Inc
04.2015 - 12.2020
Weekend Activities Coordinator
Interim Inc
05.2014 - 04.2015
Master of Social Work -
California State University - Monterey Bay
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University - Monterey Bay
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Hartnell Community College
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