Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Certification
Work Preference
Work Availability
Accomplishments
Timeline
Volunteer
Shalonda Ibrahim Abubakar

Shalonda Ibrahim Abubakar

Irvine,CA

Summary

Dedicated mental health professional with expertise in cognitive-behavioral therapy, crisis intervention, and psychological assessment. Proven ability to deliver client-centered care through strong communication and empathy in diverse settings. Experienced in program development and staff coaching to enhance mental health services.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Therapist

College Hospital
Laguna Woods, CA
04.2023 - Current
  • Facilitated effective group therapy sessions, enhancing patient engagement and therapeutic outcomes.
  • Provided timely crisis intervention services, ensuring client safety and support during acute mental health episodes.
  • Maintain accurate records of clinical progress.
  • Address progress and treatment gains related to goals.
  • Complete discharge plans and summaries.
  • Follow mandatory reporting laws.
  • Conduct insurance reviews.

Mental Health Specialist- Community Support

Irvine Unified School District
Irvine, CA
08.2022 - Current
  • Provide mental health support services, including counseling, home visits, case management, risk assessment, and student crisis coordination.
  • Developed and implemented district-wide program initiative.
  • Provide coaching and professional development for staff district-wide.
  • Developed and implemented social-emotional learning (SEL) programs, promoting student well-being across the district.
  • Analyze student data district-wide.
  • Participate in district strategic planning committees.

Community Liaison

Irvine Unified School District
Irvine, CA
02.2019 - 08.2022
  • Engaged in successful community outreach initiatives, fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
  • Built collaborative relationships between staff, students, and parents.
  • Provided case management and referrals.
  • Assisted parents with navigating the school system and accessing resources.
  • Advocated for parents' and students' needs.

School Social Worker (Intern)

Laguna Beach Unified School District
Laguna Beach, CA
08.2021 - 05.2022
  • Completed biopsychosocial assessments and treatment planning.
  • Provided individual and group therapy sessions.
  • Supported and assessed students in crises.
  • Provided interventions to re-engage students and families.
  • Taught classroom social-emotional lessons.
  • Participated in student attendance review meetings.

Mental Health Counselor (Intern)

Mission Hospital Family Resource Center
Lake Forest, CA
08.2020 - 05.2021
  • Provided mental health counseling.
  • Conducted initial assessments, diagnosis, treatment plans, and discharge planning.
  • Assessed patients for risk of suicide attempts or harmful behavior toward others.
  • Participated in weekly clinical team meetings to discuss client progress and treatment approaches.
  • Prepared and maintained required treatment records and reports.

Project Specialist

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA
12.2017 - 02.2019
  • Served as lead for student equity program.
  • Served as an advisor to student club.
  • Co-facilitated student leadership retreats.
  • Developed program scope of work
  • Supervised student employees.
  • Coordinated student engagement events.
  • Prepared program reports.

Consular Officer

Netherlands Embassy
Accra, GH
07.2013 - 09.2017
  • Conducted interviews for visas.
  • Coordinated appeals and asylum cases across the North, West, and East African regions.
  • Provided guidance on immigration regulations and procedures to foreign nationals seeking assistance in obtaining visas or other consular services.

Program Officer

First 5 LA
Los Angeles, CA
01.2002 - 03.2007
  • Led strategic planning efforts, driving improvements in program delivery and community engagement.
  • Monitored expenditures to ensure compliance with budget restrictions.
  • Guided executive directors and senior leaders to achieve organizational goals and program objectives, strengthening core functions.

Education

Master of Social Work - Concentration: Community Mental Health

California State University, Fullerton
05.2022

Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology

University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
12.1999

Skills

  • Program Development and Evaluation
  • Effective Group Facilitation
  • Grant Proposal Development
  • Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
  • Staff Development and Coaching
  • Crisis Management
  • Client Advocacy
  • Cultural Competency
  • Therapeutic Techniques
  • Community Outreach

References

References available upon request.

Certification

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certification – Medical University of South Carolina.
  • Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker - Board of Behavioral Sciences.
  • Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendance - California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
  • EMDR Professional Training - EMDRIA.
  • Comprehensive School Assessment Threat - University of Virginia.

Work Preference

Work Type

Contract WorkPart Time

Work Location

RemoteHybrid

Important To Me

Flexible work hours

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Accomplishments

  • Supervised team of 3 staff members.
  • Secured grants for programs serving students district-wide.
  • Collaborated with staff district wide for in the development of continuous improvement targets.

Timeline

Therapist

College Hospital
04.2023 - Current

Mental Health Specialist- Community Support

Irvine Unified School District
08.2022 - Current

School Social Worker (Intern)

Laguna Beach Unified School District
08.2021 - 05.2022

Mental Health Counselor (Intern)

Mission Hospital Family Resource Center
08.2020 - 05.2021

Community Liaison

Irvine Unified School District
02.2019 - 08.2022

Project Specialist

Irvine Valley College
12.2017 - 02.2019

Consular Officer

Netherlands Embassy
07.2013 - 09.2017

Program Officer

First 5 LA
01.2002 - 03.2007

Master of Social Work - Concentration: Community Mental Health

California State University, Fullerton

Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology

University of California, Santa Cruz
Shalonda Ibrahim Abubakar