Sara Kumasaka Matsuda
San Clemente,CA
Summary
Compassionate Counselor with extensive experience in facilitating growth and change for individuals. Specialized in assessment, diagnosis, and development of care plans for emotional, behavioral, and psychological disorders. Conducted intake sessions to gather essential client information and created tailored care plans while maintaining strict confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Overview
1
1
Certification
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Shanti Orange County
Laguna Hills, California
01.2023 - Current
- Provided individual counseling using trauma-informed clinical approaches.
- Supported crisis intervention and safety planning for clients.
- Provided crisis intervention services to clients who were facing urgent mental health concerns.
- Conducted biopsychosocial assessments for Shanti Orange County clients (aged 9-83 years old, including college students).
- Assessed safety risks for each client prior to providing counseling services.
- Facilitated goal-setting with clients to ensure achievable outcomes through counseling.
- Guided families in supporting their loved ones effectively throughout the treatment process.
- Actively listened to each client's story while demonstrating empathy and understanding throughout the therapeutic process.
- Incorporated different treatment methodologies and evidence-based practices to meet clients' specific needs.
- Counseled individuals from diverse backgrounds including those experiencing substance abuse issues, depression, anxiety disorders and grief.
- Met with patients and provided diagnoses and consultations.
- Maintained compliance with Shanti Orange County care standards.
- Researched new evidence-based therapies that could benefit clients during their treatment journey.
- Engaged in regular group supervision sessions with fellow clinicians to discuss client cases and share insights. with other clinicians.
Clinical Therapist
Sheer Recovery
San Juan Capistrano, CA
07.2022 - Current
- Provided client evaluation using a BioPsychoSocial assessment and a Mental Status Exam.
- Conducted intake assessments for clients in recovery treatment
- Delivered individual therapy sessions for substance use counseling
- Facilitated group therapy at Sheer Recovery's outpatient program
- Designed and implemented comprehensive treatment plans for clients, ensuring alignment with clinical team goals.
- Developed treatment plans with clinical care teams
- Coordinated communication with psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers to align on client's treatment plans.
- Collaborated in weekly case reviews with the clinical team to enhance patient care strategies.
- Assessed suicide safety and implemented a safety plan.
- Implemented suicide safety plan.
- Responded effectively in crisis situations to deliver skilled support and stabilize situations.
- Assisted clients in developing healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stressors in their lives.
- Facilitated psychoeducation classes on topics such as communication skills, boundary setting and problem solving.
- Supported relapse prevention planning for clients and families
- Treated patients using EMDR, Positive Psychology, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Crisis Counselor
Crisis Text Line
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
05.2022 - 12.2022
- Assessed suicide risk and safety concerns during high-stress conversations.
- Utilized active listening techniques to engage effectively with individuals in crisis. to build trust with people in distress.
- Provided crisis support via text, utilizing active listening, collaborative problem solving, and safety planning to ensure individuals felt heard and supported.
- Delivered text-based crisis support through the Crisis Text Line platform.
Clinical Intern
The Meadows
Wickenburg, AZ
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Delivered individual counseling and group therapy for patients with co-occurring personality disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders, and process addictions, fostering therapeutic progress.
- Treated patients using EMDR, Post-Induction Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
- Facilitated expressive art therapy, psychodrama, and meditation groups to enhance emotional expression and coping skills.
- Maintained detailed documentation of therapy sessions to support patient care and treatment continuity.
Student Equity and Diversity
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
06.2010 - 07.2015
- Directed, Managed, and Coordinated programs and services focused on students of color.
Director and AD of Asian/Pacific American Students
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado
07.2002 - 06.2010
- Directed, managed, and coordinated programs and services for Asian/Pacific American students. These programs included working with an Asian American liaison in counseling services.
Education
M.A. - Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, CAM. Div. -
Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena, CAB.A. - Liberal Studies-Elementary Education
San Diego State University
San Diego, CASkills
- Biopsychosocial assessment
- Mental health evaluation
- Crisis response
- Safety assessment
- Treatment design
- EMDR therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Individual counseling
- One-on-one therapy
- Group therapy techniques
- Relapse management
- Suicide prevention
- Self-harm intervention
- Anxiety reduction
- PTSD treatment
- Behavior modification
- Boundary setting
- Therapeutic techniques
- Sexual assault advocacy
- Autism spectrum understanding
- Clinical communication
- Autism spectrum understanding
Personal Information
Title: Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Certification
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC#18012), November 19, 2024-November 30, 2026; Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC#11416), April 8, 2022- April 30, 2023; EMDR Clinically Trained, September 2021, EMDRI; PIT (Post-Induction Therapy), September 2021, The Meadows, Adult CPR/AED, Pediatric CPR, and First Aid, January 27, 2023
Timeline
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Shanti Orange County
01.2023 - Current
Clinical Therapist
Sheer Recovery
07.2022 - Current
Crisis Counselor
Crisis Text Line
05.2022 - 12.2022
Clinical Intern
The Meadows
01.2021 - 12.2021
Student Equity and Diversity
University of Utah
06.2010 - 07.2015
Director and AD of Asian/Pacific American Students
Colorado State University
07.2002 - 06.2010
M.A. - Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Concordia University Irvine
M. Div. -
Fuller Theological Seminary
B.A. - Liberal Studies-Elementary Education
San Diego State University