Patient Katabana Baraka

· Evaluating, assessing, and diagnosing clients affected by various mental health issues

· Supporting clients in developing effective and achievable treatment goals and objective

· Developing individualized client-centered treatment plan

· Supporting the client in developing coping strategies to reduce the symptoms and negative feelings associated with triggers

· Offering holistic and culturally responsive counseling based on individual values, traditions, culture, and level of social functioning

· Prioritizing client’s outcomes, insights, creativity, and imagination to support recovery and healing

· Utilizing evidence-based best practices and therapeutic modalities to meet the mental, social, and emotional needs of each client without bias, judgment, and stigma.

• Worked to develop, design, and implement various mental health programs and support statewide refugee resettlement programs through mental health screening, diagnosis, and access using culturally competent and responsive treatment
• Coordinated various community mental health meetings with providers to discuss strategies to expand and increase mental health treatment and education in disadvantaged communities
• Worked with various resettlement agencies and community and Ethnic-Based organizations to support the refugee ecosystem of medical and mental health services and develop therapeutic activities aligned with refugees’ values, cultures, and traditions
• Helped develop evidence-based cultural interventions and best practices to address mental health stigma and bias affecting individuals and groups of refugees and immigrants
• Reviewed grant applications and Request for Proposal (RFPs) making sure these RFPs are aligned with the state of Michigan’s mission, and values, and meet state and federal eligibility requirements
• Managed budget allocated to refugee programs across the state of Michigan to address various mental health affecting refugee populations including depression, anxiety, trauma, adjustment disorder, substance abuse, separation from loved ones, and smother integration in the U.S
• Developed refugee multi-ethnic cultural orientation curriculum aiming to support the smooth transition for Newcomers, Refugees, and Immigrants through acculturation, assimilation, and integration into their local communities with less trauma and stressors
• Implemented the program monitoring and evaluation to assess whether state and federally-funded programs follow guidelines set forth, meet stated goals, and positively impact targeted populations
• Improved client outcomes with evidence-based therapeutic interventions tailored to their unique needs.
• Initiated collaboration with local schools to provide early intervention services for students experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties.
• Contributed to grant writing efforts that secured funding for additional programs aimed at enhancing overall patient care.
• Collaborated with community organizations to expand access to mental health services for underserved populations.
• Evaluated program effectiveness through regular data collection and analysis, informing continuous improvement efforts.
• Provided supervision and guidance to interns, enhancing their clinical skills and ensuring adherence to best-practice standards.

• Worked as a crisis intervention counselor for children and adults experiencing mental health crises and other behavioral issues affecting their emotions and social functioning
• Screened clients at CMH office, hospitals, and homes to determine reported issues and their severity level
• Then assisted clients in developing a crisis response plan including inpatient hospitalization, referral to a crisis stabilization center, follow-up appointment with PCP/psychiatrist, and/or a discharge with a safety plan in place
• Used trauma-informed interventions in addition to CBT, ABC, and DBT to address various mental health symptoms affecting clients, their families, and caregivers
• Assessed clients presenting suicidal and homicidal ideation and self-harming behaviors and addressed subsequent symptoms and behaviors in counseling
• Applied psychotherapy and psychoeducation approached and counseling tools to support the client’s emotional feelings, mood, treatment modality, and recovery plan
• Utilized the client’s culture, values and strengths, network of support, and past experience to develop resilient treatment plans and goals that are holistically achievable
• Used mindfulness, reframing thoughts, and psychoeducation to equip clients with healthy coping skills to improve mood, feelings, and a positive self-perception
• Normalized languages of mental health to reduce the client’s stigma, resistance, and negative perception that can hinder recovery while being culturally responsive and competent
• Documented patient information through analyzing data, interview notes, and test results and identified and diagnosed nature of clients' problems.
• Evaluated treatment techniques after sufficient time periods to determine effectiveness for each client.

• Worked as a professional counselor to screen and assess unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) upon arriving in Michigan and used the bio-psychosocial assessment tool to evaluate clients.
• Utilized the network of behavioral health and psychiatric hospitals for clients needing inpatient hospitalization and developed safety plans for clients discharged with moderate to severe behavioral issues
• Assessed individuals’ needs and strengths and coordinated services for clients to access mental health, substance abuse treatment, and legal/immigration services through a network of local providers
• Provided group therapy to youth staying in the program to address complex trauma and other mental health symptoms including family separation and adjustment.
• Coordinated care with teams of professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, government agencies, and volunteers to increase client outcomes.
• Assisted clients in defining realistic goals and activities, individualized centered-care plan aiming to increase client’s recovery, resilience, thriving behaviors, and promoting success narratives
• Maintained detailed case notes and documentation, ensuring effective tracking of progress and continuity of care across providers..
• lead individual and group therapy sessions to patients suffering from mental health issues.

• Led the Community Center as the Behavioral Health Case Manager by designing and implementing refugee and immigrant social and mental health services
• Assisted individual and group therapy for clients dealing with mental health and other behavioral issues affecting their lives, families, and community at large
• Assessed, evaluated, and screened clients for mental health issues and used referrals to send clients to crisis stabilization at Bethany Christian Services, Pine Rest Psychiatric Hospital, and at Kent County Community Mental Health for additional evaluation and treatment
• Used psychoeducation to equip and empower clients to develop healthy coping skills, and interpersonal mechanisms to reduce harmful behaviors and increase emotional regulation
• Coordinated local resources to maximize client outcomes including access to basic needs including shelter, food, Medicaid insurance, social support, and immigration and other legal services
• Provided professional supervision to caseworkers, case managers, and volunteers working to advance the organization's mission

• Coordinated housing needs for the elderly, low-income seniors, and those with disabilities
• Offered counseling and therapeutic sessions to clients displaying symptoms of mental health and behavioral issues by developing client-centered treatment plans
• Used trauma-focused interventions with clients affected by multiple traumas
• Coordinated care with physicians and psychiatrists to bring services to the site: seniors could receive on-site medical and mental health, counseling, and other basic needs services
• Coordinated social services with local providers including Medicaid insurance, healthy food, shelter, rental subsidies, and recreational activities while developing advocacy for senior’s needs
• Amplified senior’s voice to access affordable housing and other supportive services across West Michigan and coordinated delivery of these services at seniors’ sites
• Organized and led staff meetings with partners and stakeholders involved in the network of service providers for seniors and those with disabilities in Kent County
• Produced monthly and quarterly reports following the agency’s internal policies and procedures
• Developed fundraising strategies to raise funds needed to support new housing projects in light with the Grand Rapids Housing Commission’s missions and goals

• Attended the Welfare Child Institute training to obtain employment as a CPS worker.
• Used forensic interviews and motivational interviewing techniques while investigating cases of child abuse and neglect and assisted the victims in developing safety plans that meets their needs.
• Used TF-CBT to assess and address children’s trauma and offered counseling to victims and their families.
• Worked with a team of investigators to identify any suspected case of child abuse and neglect and developed safety measures to prioritize the safety of victims. And provided psychoeducational training to families involved in CPS cases.
• Used the strength perspective approach to focus on clients’ strengths, abilities, and resourceful skills to encourage positive outcomes while assessing barriers and challenges affecting clients.
• Coordinated services with local Jurisdictions’ Courts, probation officers, doctors, school counselors, and local social agencies to provide holistic services to families and victims of child abuse