Sarah McKinney
Summary
Focused and compassionate Marriage and Family Therapist (Associate) with a lifetime of experience coming alongside individuals, couples, and families. Seeking hybrid job position to utilize skills and training to aid couples and family groups work through trauma, dysfunction, and health issues affecting mental health. Skilled in building strong therapeutic alliances and creative treatment planning based on the needs of individual clients and their families. Passionate, dedicated, and committed to excellence, both therapeutically and professionally.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Counseling Intern
Watters Family Life Counseling Center
Fort Liberty, NC
08.2022 - 08.2023
- Reviewed case files to better assess client needs and proper course of treatment.
- Counseled clients to help understand and overcome personal, social and behavioral problems.
- Conducted client consultations and collaborated with other agency professionals to discuss courses of treatment.
- Performed 425 hours of supervised group, couple, and individual counseling sessions.
- Applied variety of psychological methods and techniques in screening, assessment and evaluation of clients.
- Fostered resilience within clients by integrating strengths-based approaches into therapeutic interventions.
- Developed strong rapport with diverse clientele by demonstrating empathy, active listening, and cultural sensitivity during therapy sessions.
- Promoted a safe and supportive environment for clients, fostering trust and open communication in therapy sessions.
- Enhanced client progress by implementing evidence-based counseling techniques in individual and group sessions.
- Increased client engagement by utilizing creative therapeutic approaches tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Participated actively in supervision sessions to continuously enhance professional knowledge and counseling skills.
- Provided crisis intervention support when necessary, ensuring the safety of at-risk clients during critical situations.
- Strengthened client coping skills through teaching stress management techniques and mindfulness practices.
- Improved client self-awareness by guiding them through exercises in self-reflection, goal-setting, and personal growth.
- Monitored client progress regularly through detailed documentation, enabling timely adjustments to treatment plans as needed.
- Maintained confidentiality and adhered to ethical standards throughout all interactions with clients, colleagues, and supervisors.
- Provided education on mental health topics and resources to clients.
- Developed treatment plans to help clients build self-confidence and resilience.
- Facilitated group counseling sessions to support and encourage client growth.
Administrative Executive
McKinney Family Homeschool
Wherever The Army Sent Our Family
08.2009 - 05.2023
- Successfully raised and educated three children elementary through high school.
- Invested countless hours in intentional parenting, character training, academic, relational, and biblical education.
- Created and updated records and files to maintain document compliance in accordance with various state educational laws.
- Collaborated with and mentored other homeschooling parents to help each reach their educational and relational goals with various ages and needs of children.
Motivational Speaker, Blog & Devotional Writer
Planting Roots
Various Locations
10.2014 - 10.2019
- Composed original written material for various types of publications and submitted for approval by supervisor, editor or publisher.
- Collaborated with editors to refine drafts, ensuring consistent tone and style across various platforms.
- Provided writing support for various projects and departments.
- Developed engaging articles for online publications, resulting in increased readership and social media shares.
- Mentored junior writers in developing strong writing skills and adhering to company style guidelines.
- Managed a successful blog, consistently publishing fresh content and generating a loyal reader base.
- Delivered high-impact speeches at conferences or events on behalf of clients or organizations, successfully conveying key messages to attendees.
- Chose cover photography or artwork, selected fonts, and arranged designs to attract target readership.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Development And Family Studies
Kansas State University
ManhattanMaster of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MFT Emphasis)
Colorado Christian University
Denver, CO05.2024
Skills
- Family and patient education and resourcing
- Advanced Empathy and Therapeutic Alliance Building Skills
- Treatment Plan Development
- Mental and Physical Health Support and Integration
- Group Counseling Facilitation
- Individual, Couple, and Family Counseling
- Biopsychosocial & Spiritual Assessments
- Psychopharmacology & Psychotropic medications knowledge
- Completed Emotionally Focused Couples training (Externship, Core Skills 1 & 2, Core Skills 3 & 4)
- Additional training and experience in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Couples Collaborative Therapy, Family Systems Therapy
- EMDR (completed basic training)
Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Active member since 2022
Affiliations
- American Counseling Association American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Chi Sigma Iota, Cappa Chi Upsilon Chapter
- Chi Sigma Iota, Kappa Chi Upsilon Chapter
Timeline
Counseling Intern
Watters Family Life Counseling Center
08.2022 - 08.2023
Motivational Speaker, Blog & Devotional Writer
Planting Roots
10.2014 - 10.2019
Administrative Executive
McKinney Family Homeschool
08.2009 - 05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Human Development And Family Studies
Kansas State University
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MFT Emphasis)
Colorado Christian University