Samantha Balducci
Lawrenceville,NJ
Summary
Experienced mental health and research professional holding a BA in Psychology and an MA in Counseling, with extensive knowledge in up-to-date therapeutic practices. Also authored two journal publications focusing on the adoption triad and unique challenges faced within this population. Looking to pursue a PhD to further advance knowledge in the field.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Therapist
LifeBack
Lawerenceville, NJ
01.2022 - Current
- Conduct thorough intake assessments & ensure individuals are appropriate for outpatient level of care by conducting risk screenings.
- Provide individualized, culturally aware treatment in both individual & group settings with a CBT & solution-focused lens, while also incorporating other modalities that are informed by current research.
- Create safety plans and navigate risk management with high risk clients, & help provide referrals & other resources when higher level of care is needed.
- Work with individuals & families with a variety of diagnoses, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, Autism, I/DDS, SUDS & co-occurring diagnoses.
- Oversee weekly quality assurance projects & audits to ensure protocol is being followed from both clients & clinicians.
Intake Specialist & Supervisor
Lifeback
Lawerenceville, NJ
10.2021 - Current
- Screen individuals prior to beginning intake process to ensure appropriateness for program & assess for initial risk.
- Calmly handle crisis situations & deescalate any altercations that may occur, both in person & over the phone.
- Check insurances & work with billing team to provide out-of-network fees to potential new clients & advocate for clients when needed.
- Orient new clients to facility & policies, & answer any questions they may while representing the leadership team.
- Oversee intake department consisting of 3 intake specialists and voice needs or concerns to other leadership team members.
- Take part in quarterly meetings as part of the company's leadership team and work together to ensure best practice at the company.
Graduate Assistant
Montclair State University (MSU)
Montclair, NJ
08.2019 - 06.2021
- Worked as a graduate assistant under the supervision of Dr. Amanda Baden, conducing research relating to adoption and the adoption triad.
- Was responsible for writing annotated bibliographies and literature reviews, as well as staying up to date on current trends/developments in the field by reading empirical articles and meta-analyses.
- Participated in quantitative and qualitative research, & was part of the publishing of 2 journal articles.
- Helped coordinate weekly research team meetings, and navigated the transition of being virtual during COVID.
Research Assistant
TCNJ's Alcohol Lab
Ewing, NJ
08.2018 - 05.2019
- Regularly participated in over 100 lab hours involving research around alcohol abuse, addiction, behavioral economics, and binge drinking.
- Helped create and execute an experiment on binge drinking in Long Evan rats.
- Trained in ethanol and sucrose solution preparation, animal handling, and loading and unloading operant chambers and home cages.
- Worked with 10 other lab members to ensure the animals and selves were safe and working efficiently in potentially dangerous environments.
- Completed multiple Synthesis & Analysis papers on topics mentioned above.
Research Assistant
TCNJ's Political Psychology Lab
Ewing, NJ
08.2017 - 12.2017
- Created research proposals and ran experiments on different topics, such as on moral framing and climate change.
- Used Qualtrics to create surveys for online distribution, generated literature reviews, searched for proper measures/scales to fit our research, and used SPSS to analyze data.
- Worked with a team to develop papers and presentations on the found results.
Graduate Intern
Lifeback
Lawerenceville, NJ
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Facilitated a 3-hour relapse prevention group with 8-10 clients once a week at intense outpatient level.
- Had individual caseload of 5 clients, both adolescents and adults, with co-occurring mental health and SUD diagnoses
- Conducted intake assessments weekly and completed case management tasks when needed.
- Developed treatment plans for clients and input diagnoses into Nextstep and NJSAMS.
Undergraduate Intern
Lifeback
Lawerenceville, NJ
08.2017 - 05.2019
- Sat in on a preteen/young teen therapy group and an addiction relapse prevention group once a week
- Completed up to 25 treatment plans a week and input diagnoses into Nextstep and NJSAMS
- Completed case management when needed
Education
Master of Arts - Counseling; Addictions Concentration
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ12.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Clinical & Counseling Psychology
The College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ05.2019
Skills
- Communication & Public Speaking Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Active Listener
- Compassionate
- SPSS
- Qualtrics
- Microsoft
- NJSAMS
- Canvas
- Canva
Certification
- National Certified Counselor (NCC), National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), NJ State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy
Volunteer & Other Work Experience
- Head Swim Coach, Special Olympics NJ, 2020-2021
- Special Needs Aid, State of NJ, 2020-2021
- VP Community Service, Kappa Delta Sorority, 2016-2017
- Recovery Advocate, Collegiate Recovery Community, 2018-2019
- Tutor, TCNJ, 2016-2017
- Swim Instructor, Caldwell Community Center, 2015-2020
Professional Publications & Presentations
Publications:
- Baden, A. L., Sharma, S. M., Balducci, S., Ellis, L., Randall, R., Kwon, D., & Harrington, E. S. (2022). A trauma-informed substance use disorder prevention program for transracially adopted children and adolescents. Child Abuse & Neglect, 130, 105598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105598
- Baden, A. L., Sharma, S. M., Adams, L. M., Randall, R., Agrusti, M. L., Harrington, E. S., Kobus, A. M., Jasmin, M., Kwon, D., Nsenkyire, K., Carias, R., & Balducci, S. (2024). “How could you give your child away?” Birth parents’ experiences of microaggressions. The Counseling Psychologist, 52(6), 960–990. https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000241265012
Posters:
- Sharma, S. M., Baden, A. L., Shand-Lubbers, R., Kwon, D., & Balducci, S. (2020, February 1). Cross-cultural counseling: The graduate student perspective [Poster presentation]. 37th Columbia University Teachers College Winter Roundtable, New York City, NY.
Honor & Professional Societies
- Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, 2019
- Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society, 2020 - Present
- MSU Psi Chi International Honor Society, 2017 - Present
References
Available Upon Request
Timeline
Mental Health Therapist
LifeBack
01.2022 - Current
Intake Specialist & Supervisor
Lifeback
10.2021 - Current
Graduate Intern
Lifeback
01.2021 - 12.2021
Graduate Assistant
Montclair State University (MSU)
08.2019 - 06.2021
Research Assistant
TCNJ's Alcohol Lab
08.2018 - 05.2019
Research Assistant
TCNJ's Political Psychology Lab
08.2017 - 12.2017
Undergraduate Intern
Lifeback
08.2017 - 05.2019
Master of Arts - Counseling; Addictions Concentration
Montclair State University
Bachelor of Arts - Clinical & Counseling Psychology
The College of New Jersey