Nicala Edwards
Hammond,LA
Summary
Licensed Professional Counselor with five years of experience providing individual, couples, family, and group therapy to all ages with various behavioral and mental health diagnoses including substance abuse and intellectual and physical disabilities. Skilled at establishing and maintaining working relationships with clients and the professional community as well as an excellent ability to organize and manage multiple responsibilities in a timely manner. Strong background helping mental health clients overcome personal challenges and cope with triggering situations. Skilled in developing treatment plans, conducting assessments and documenting progress. Has an extensive knowledge of counseling principles and practices. Committed to advocating for mental health and well-being of clients.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Inpatient Therapist/Intensive Outpatient Therapist
Oceans Behavioral Hospital
05.2022 - Current
- Plans and conducts individual, family, and group therapy.
- Manages master's counseling and social work students by providing weekly supervisions, consultations, and oversees their day-to-day activities.
- Conducts, assesses and interprets completion of Biopsychosocial assessment within 72 hours (or 3 sessions) of admission.
- Attends treatment team meetings and reports on assigned patients’ progress toward treatment goals.
- Update treatment team updates with reports of all disciplines creating a multidisciplinary treatment integration summary to help facilitate the patient's progress.
- Assesses and interprets age/disability/cultural needs of patients.
- Identifies safety, psychosocial, special mobility and special equipment needs
- Communicates in an age/disability/culturally sensitive related manner to patients and their families
- Conducts treatment and discharge planning in accordance with age/disability/cultural needs and involves members of the patient's support system in decision making as appropriate.
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Assessor
HCO Behavioral Health Services
07.2023 - 12.2023
- Responsible for providing behavioral health consultation, mental health assessment, and initial intake interviews to children adolescents, adults and families in order to improve psychosocial functioning in person and/or virtually.
- Identifies psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnosis.
- Responsible for determining client’s psychiatric diagnosis based on diagnostic criteria from DSM
- Treatment planning development based on client’s strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
Kinship Navigator Outreach Specialist
Southeastern Louisiana University Discovery Renew
12.2020 - 05.2021
- Perform individual and family counseling to maintain unification of kinship family.
- Perform needs assessment, intake form, and PTSD screening for clients.
- Participate in weekly clinical staff meetings and biweekly case supervision and consultant.
- Assisted families in accessing financial assistance programs, reducing financial strain on households.
- Collaborated with child welfare agencies and court systems to advocate for the best interests of children in kinship care arrangements.
- Maintain continual clinical documentation for each client.
Staff Counselor/Mental Health Counselor
Integrated Wellness Clinic
06.2019 - 05.2021
- Perform individual, couples, and family counseling.
- Participate in weekly clinical staff meetings.
- Maintain continual clinical documentation for each client.
- Provide assessment, intakes, and appropriate referrals.
- Create and set measurable and individualized goals.
Education
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA05.2019
Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences And Disorders
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA05.2016
Skills
- Treatment Planning
- Case Management
- Discharge Planning
- Crisis Intervention
- Mental Health Assessment
- Individual, Group, Family, and Couples Psychotherapy
Certification
- Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC #7838
- National Certified Counselor, NCC #1230902
- Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory Adult & Adolescent (SASSI-4) Certified
- Preschool and Youth PTSD Treatment Certified
- Tele-health Certified
- SAMA Certified Expires May 2024
Timeline
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Assessor
HCO Behavioral Health Services
07.2023 - 12.2023
Inpatient Therapist/Intensive Outpatient Therapist
Oceans Behavioral Hospital
05.2022 - Current
Kinship Navigator Outreach Specialist
Southeastern Louisiana University Discovery Renew
12.2020 - 05.2021
Staff Counselor/Mental Health Counselor
Integrated Wellness Clinic
06.2019 - 05.2021
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Southeastern Louisiana University
Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences And Disorders
Southeastern Louisiana University
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