Savannah Quezada
Portland,OR
Summary
Invested Social Justice and Mental Health Worker, dedicated to forming trusting relationships and advocating for best interest of clients. Expertise in Psychological and Physiological De-escalation Techniques. Respectful and compassionate professional offering 10-year background serving communities by providing guidance for clients in need.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Project Respond: Family Crisis Stabilization
Cascadia Health
08.2024 - Current
- Established rapport with patients through compassionate listening and empathetic engagement during challenging moments.
- Communicated effectively with both patients and their families, providing resources and guidance throughout the stabilization process.
- Observed patient behavior patterns closely for any signs of regression or potential crises requiring immediate attention from clinical staff.
- Provided one-on-one support to patients experiencing emotional distress or behavioral issues, fostering stability and wellbeing.
- Assisted patients in developing healthy coping skills through skill-building exercises and guided practice scenarios tailored to individual needs.
- Promoted self-care activities among patients by leading recreational therapy sessions designed to foster relaxation and stress reduction techniques.
- Enhanced patient recovery by implementing individualized treatment plans and monitoring progress.
Project Respond: Emergency Diversion Team
Cascadia Health
12.2023 - 08.2024
- Provided timely assistance to individuals in crisis, utilizing active listening skills and empathy to establish rapport quickly.
- Managed high-stress situations with a calm demeanor, providing the necessary support to both clients and team members during challenging times.
- Developed resources for clients in need, connecting them with community services and programs that best suited their situation.
- Prevented further escalation of crises by effectively deescalating intense situations through skilled verbal interventions.
Crime Victim Advocate: Domestic Violence Unit
Multnomah County District Attorney Office
08.2022 - 12.2023
- Supported victims, family members and witnesses through law enforcement, healthcare and social services.
- Constructed referral list of agencies and community resources for victims' to provide aftercare services.
- Collected statistical data and updated documentation to maintain client records.
- Established treatment plans with short- and long-term goals.
- Liaised with members of justice system on behalf of client.
- Attended interagency meetings and networked to create community partnerships.
- Coordinated individual and group counseling to meet victim service standards.
- Developed safety plans to meet victims' assessment of need.
- Accompanied clients to court to clarify processes and procedures.
- Provided crisis counseling and intervention services to clients in emergency situations.
- Assisted clients in developing and setting realistic goals to promote positive change.
- Coordinated with local government to provide resources to clients.
- Participated in meetings with Policy Director Aaron Knott to discuss program objectives and strategies.
- Cultivated and maintained relationships with community members to facilitate outreach activities.
- Utilized evidence-based practices to provide effective interventions for clients.
Crisis Counselor II: Project Respond
Cascadia Health
09.2020 - 11.2021
- Provided emergency response in crisis situations to diffuse tensions and prevent violence.
- Used skills such as active listening and collaborative problem-solving daily to connect with patients and address concerns.
- Evaluated risk to client or others by gathering information and conducting assessments.
- Counseled and helped to stabilize consumers and caregivers in crisis situations.
- Conversed with individuals in crisis which called or texted hotline for assistance.
- Documented risk to each client and context of concerns.
- Built safety plans to lower risk of crisis and intervened in specific manners outlined by procedures.
- Assessed patient behavior, moods, and other responses to determine correct diagnosis and devise treatment plans.
- Educated clients on dangers of substance abuse and prevention techniques.
- Assisted clients in exploring feelings and understanding behaviors.
- Supported individuals dealing with mental health and emotional issues.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Collaborated with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Supervised meetings with family members to help create support system for clients.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Organized clinical interventions and treatment plans for patients suffering from chronic pain disorders.
- Facilitated group counseling sessions to support and encourage client growth.
- Designed safe and supportive environment for clients to discuss issues.
SPMI Residential Secure Facility Skills Trainer
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare
10.2019 - 11.2020
- Addressed behavioral and emotional needs of residents through activities and interventions, increasing resident socialization, interpersonal, and social skills.
- Resolved conflicts by performing in-time crisis intervention and enforcing discipline and behavior metrics.
- Supported residents in coping with emotions and fears through one-on-one sessions.
- Communicated behavior choices to residents by outlining positive and negative consequences of choices.
- Assisted residents in adhering to treatment plans by setting up medical appointments, arranging transportation, coordinating services, and providing emotional support.
- Delivered frequent summaries on resident progression and regression in treatment to provide recommendations towards treatment plan for success.
- Educated clients on managing mental health disorders and identifying signs and symptoms of relapse.
- Developed and maintained relationships with community resources to provide additional support services.
- Facilitated group counseling sessions to help clients address issues of substance abuse, anger management and interpersonal relationships.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive individualized treatment plans for high-risk clients in residential setting.
- Monitored and documented client progress toward meeting goals and objectives.
- Collaborated with case managers to maintain continuity of care and to provide referrals to treatment programs.
- Encouraged clients to develop self-advocacy skills and to become active participants in own treatment plans.
- Coordinated with other professionals to develop interdisciplinary treatment plans.
- Customized strategies based on individuals' goals and strengths and offered each positive reinforcement to continue progress against goals.
- Supported people with developmental disabilities and autism in building multi-faceted skillset to promote independence and self-confidence.
Secure SPMI Residential Counselor
New Narrative
03.2019 - 10.2019
- Delivered frequent summaries on resident progression and regression in treatment to provide recommendations towards treatment plan for success.
- Assisted residents in adhering to treatment plans by setting up medical appointments, arranging transportation, coordinating services, and providing emotional support.
- Supported residents in coping with emotions and fears through one-on-one sessions.
- Addressed behavioral and emotional needs of residents through activities and interventions, increasing resident socialization, interpersonal, and social skills.
- Communicated behavior choices to residents by outlining positive and negative consequences of choices.
- Resolved conflicts by performing in-time crisis intervention and enforcing discipline and behavior metrics.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University - Chico
Chico, CA08.2018
Associate of Arts - Psychology
College of The Canyons
Valencia, CA12.2016
High School Diploma -
Academy Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA05.2014
Skills
- Help facilitate and create Trauma-informed training amongst the shelter system in Multnomah County
- Safe Zone Ally Trained (LGBTQIA Community)
- Attended over 65 cultural trainings (POC,Religion, Mental Health, Medical, Dreamers, Immigrants,Etc)
- Facilitated LGBTQIA workshops to college students (Safe Sex, Intersex, Safe Zone Ally, Trans Conference, Gender & Sexuality, hygiene and homelessness, women's march, sexual assault on college Campuses)
- Ability to create and maintain professional and ethical boundaries with staff and participants
- Visionary Leadership Style with practical solutions
- Written Communication
- Ability to de-escalate patient situations by utilizing crisis communication skills
- Improves and maintains own clinical competence in area of practice to ensure provision of quality care
- Knowledge of motivational interviewing skills and techniques
- Strong relationship development with staff, community resources and participants
- Emotional Intelligence
- Team Oriented Personality
- Ability to embrace criticism
- Approachable
- Self-Evaluation
- Equitable
- Ability to collect and analysis data (Medical, safety, facility operations, treatment plans, etc)
- Strong medical skills and knowledge (Vitals, Insulin administration, Medication Management, Medication Administration, wound care,HIV treatment)
- Capacity to exercise good judgment in a calm manner when responding to psychiatric and medical emergencies or other unpredictable situations
Certification
Qualified Mental Health Associate- I Certificate No. 19-QMHA-I-02050
National Crime Victim Law Institute: Oregon Victim Assistance Academy Certification of Completion 2023
Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Certification of Completion 2023
Timeline
Project Respond: Family Crisis Stabilization
Cascadia Health
08.2024 - Current
Project Respond: Emergency Diversion Team
Cascadia Health
12.2023 - 08.2024
Crime Victim Advocate: Domestic Violence Unit
Multnomah County District Attorney Office
08.2022 - 12.2023
Crisis Counselor II: Project Respond
Cascadia Health
09.2020 - 11.2021
SPMI Residential Secure Facility Skills Trainer
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare
10.2019 - 11.2020
Secure SPMI Residential Counselor
New Narrative
03.2019 - 10.2019
High School Diploma -
Academy Of The Canyons
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University - Chico
Associate of Arts - Psychology
College of The Canyons
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