Robert Carr Ph.D.
Mesa,AZ
If we can see...we have a duty to speak the words to those who do not yet see, all the while struggling to remain human.
Sometimes the ridiculous ideas are the only ones worth having (p.317)
Paul Kingsnorth (2025)
Summary
Community-focused professional with background in volunteer initiatives, contributing to meaningful projects that enhance community well-being for highly vulnerable populations. Known for creativity, cultural sensitivity, effective teamwork and adaptability in dynamic environments. Reliable and committed to fostering positive outcomes through collaborative efforts.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Volunteer
Paz De Cristo
11.2025 - Current
- Developed informational materials to promote services and resources available to community members.
- Provided support during community events, ensuring smooth operations and participant satisfaction.
- Improved accessibility to nutritious food for homeless individuals and families through meal preparation and delivery.
- Consistently reflected respect and dignity for all guests during check-in and registration processes.
Artist In Residence
YouthCare
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Developed creative programming for foster and homeless youth engagement and skill-building activities.
- Facilitated art workshops, promoting self-expression and collaboration among highly vulnerable, multicultural participants.
- Implemented tailored, culturally sensitive feedback mechanisms to enhance participant satisfaction and improve engagement and communication skills.
Social Work/Case Manager/Mental Health Counselor
Downtown Emergency Service Center
02.2014 - 03.2016
- Assessed chronically homeless adult client needs to develop tailored service plans.
- Facilitated access to community resources and support services.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic care.
- Monitored client progress and adjusted interventions as necessary.
- Provided crisis intervention and emotional support during critical situations.
- Documented case notes and maintained accurate records of services provided.
- Educated clients about available programs and resources for self-sufficiency.
- Advocated for clients' rights within healthcare, legal and social service systems.
- Consistently collaborated with healthcare providers to ensure optimal physical health outcomes for clients in need of medical attention.
- Promoted self-advocacy skills among clients by providing information, tools, and encouragement to make informed decisions.
- Strengthened organizational partnerships through effective communication, collaboration, and mutual goal-setting with external agencies.
- Mitigated crisis situations through active listening, de-escalation techniques, and timely intervention where needed.
- Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members.
Intern
Sound Mental Health
09.1992 - 06.1993
- Assisted clients in developing coping strategies and improving mental health outcomes.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to promote peer support and shared experiences.
- Conducted assessments to identify client needs and develop tailored treatment plans.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client progress and treatment interventions.
- Collaborated with supervisors to refine therapeutic techniques and enhance service delivery.
- Supported clients in crisis situations, providing immediate intervention and resources.
- Engaged in regular supervision meetings to discuss case management and professional development.
- Researched evidence-based practices to inform counseling approaches and improve effectiveness.
- Provided crisis intervention services when necessary; assessed suicide risk levels amongst high-risk individuals.
- Identified community resources relevant to each client''s needs by networking with local service providers.
- Facilitated psychoeducational groups on topics such as stress management, coping skills, and emotional regulation, empowering clients to take charge of their mental wellbeing.
- Provided psychoeducation on mental health diagnoses and treatments options for both clients and their families.
- Implemented motivational interviewing techniques to encourage clients'' self-efficacy and active engagement in their recovery process.
- Documented client progress thoroughly, maintaining accurate records and ensuring confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for clients, strengthening support networks around their mental health journey.
- Improved client outcomes by implementing evidence-based counseling techniques in individual and group therapy sessions.
- Utilized culturally-sensitive interventions for diverse populations, tailoring treatment plans to each client''s unique background.
- Developed strong rapport with clients through active listening and empathetic communication, fostering trust during the therapeutic process.
- Enhanced clinical knowledge through regular supervision meetings, honing counseling skills and discussing case management strategies.
- Supported clients in identifying personal strengths and resources, enhancing resilience in times of psychological distress.
- Contributed to a supportive therapeutic environment for diverse clients, addressing their unique mental health needs.
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
- Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy.
- Assessed mental health needs to determine nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral or mental health issues.
- Consulted with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by team leader.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
Education
Ph.D. - Cognitive Psychology
11-2025
- 3.81 GPA
- Dissertation: Choir Singers Tell Their Stories of COVID: A 4E Analysis of Metaphors
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
09-2013
- Honoree of Chi Sigma Upsilon
- Awarded Honorable Mention Gerald and Marianne Corey National Essay Competition
- 3.9 GPA
- Extracurricular Activities:
- Volunteer Peer Counselor/Compass Health
- Volunteer/Several local food banks
- Volunteer/Bailey-Boushay AIDS Hospice
Bachelor of Arts - Fine Arts
- Awarded Honorable Mention Shelton Juried Arts Competition
- Athletic/Soccer Scholarship Recipient
- Elected Captain of Men's Soccer Team
- Extracurricular Activities: Volunteer Elementary Art Teacher
Associate of Arts - Basic Requirements, Plus Voice, Aikido, Drama
- Honoree of Honor Choir Heimenikakao University of Hawaii Hilo
- Capstone Project: Poetry included in L.C.C. annual publication Visions/Presented at Visions Reception
- Awarded Honorable Mention National Singing Competition
- Dean's List
- Extracurricular Activities: Member of first L.C.C. Soccer Club
- Extracurricular Activities: Para Counselor at Komo Mai Office for Students With Disabilities
- Extracurricular Activities: Kanikapila Singers
Skills
- Collaborative problem resolution
- Social impact initiatives
- Consistent relationship building
- Confident speaking abilities
- Community engagement
- Decision-making/Coordinating events
- Effective conflict resolution
- Cultural sensitivity/Disability inclusion knowledge
- Client relations strength
- Recordkeeping and confidentiality
- Approachable demeanor/Empathy and patience
- Team leadership
- Critical analysis
- Program design and implementation
- Patient assessment
- Coaching individuals
- Positive attitude
- Informed consent
- Compliance with research ethics
- Data collection tool development
- Qualitative discourse analysis
- Effective interviewing techniques
- Pattern identification in data
- Sampling strategies
- Comprehensive literature review
- Insightful analysis
- Reflexivity
- Participant observation
- Narrative evaluation
- Qualitative coding
- Critical thinking
- Strategic goal setting
- Data collection
- Clear and concise report drafting
- Professional demeanor
- Qualitative research design
Languages
English
Interests
- Music
- Experimenting with different creative mediums, like found objects, discarded items, and photographictechniques
- Drawing and Painting
Multiple State Soccer Champion as Coach and Player
Three State Championships as a player, and two State Championships as coach (WA.).
23 Years Experience as Soccer Coach: Ages 4 to 50, male and female, all levels and abilities.
Work Preference
Work Type
Part TimeImportant To Me
Work-life balanceCompany Cultureseeker, listener, performer...I am an idealist in the mould of Mr. Don Quixote
I treasure the simple thought that I am able to help those individuals and groups who truly need help.
I have been given gifts of talent, and experience that I never asked for, and do not deserve.
But after I experienced my deepest, saddest, and most crushing personal loss, I walked a sacred mountain with my hanai father.
On that Maui mountain, the spirit told me "you are a man of God. Stop running from me."
So with whatever years I have remaining, I only want to use my gifts, and my experience to help others.
Timeline
Volunteer - Paz De Cristo
11.2025 - Current
Artist In Residence - YouthCare
01.2018 - 01.2019
Social Work/Case Manager/Mental Health Counselor - Downtown Emergency Service Center
02.2014 - 03.2016
Intern - Sound Mental Health
09.1992 - 06.1993
Grand Canyon University - Ph.D., Cognitive Psychology
Capella University - Master of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Evergreen State College - Bachelor of Arts, Fine Arts
Leeward Community College - Associate of Arts, Basic Requirements, Plus Voice, Aikido, Drama