SHANDAL WALKER-HAYNES
Waggaman,LA
Summary
Licensed Professional Counselor and School Counselor experienced in providing comprehensive support to adolescents, adults, and families across school and community-based environments. Delivered impactful academic and career guidance, crisis intervention, and social-emotional support, resulting in improved graduation outcomes and behavioral enhancements for high school students in virtual and alternative education settings.
Overview
6
6
years of post-secondary education
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Professional School Counselor
Louisiana Rebirth Blended Academy
Baton Rouge, LA
07.2021 - Current
- Delivered comprehensive academic, career, and social-emotional counseling to high school students in virtual and alternative education settings, fostering student engagement and success.
- Coordinated testing, graduation planning, college and career readiness, and FAFSA support while facilitating ongoing communication with students, families, teachers, and administrators to enhance support systems.
- Evaluated transcripts, completed grade placements, monitored graduation requirements, maintained Individual Graduation Plans, and developed or revised student schedules to ensure student progression.
- Handled expanded responsibilities of virtual school counseling, managing academic, attendance, records, scheduling, and student-support functions that are typically shared among multiple staff members in traditional schools.
Behavioral Coach
AbleTo
New York, NY
01.2019 - 01.2025
- Delivered one-on-one telehealth behavioral coaching to adults navigating stress, anxiety, depression, and life transitions, fostering improved mental well-being.
- Helped clients identify personal goals and develop strategies for positive behavior change using motivational interviewing, solution-focused techniques, and evidence-based coaching strategies.
- Tracked client progress and collaborated within a structured virtual behavioral health program to enhance treatment outcomes.
- Implemented telehealth behavioral health program to support client access to mental health services.
Professional School Counselor
Helen Cox High School
Harvey, LA
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Coordinated testing, participated in IEP development, evaluated transcripts, and monitored academic progress through Individual Graduation Plans.
- Guided students in TOPS University, Jump Start, and LAA1 pathways while assisting students and families with college planning, financial aid, and FAFSA completion to enhance post-secondary readiness.
- Provided individualized counseling to students for academic and personal development.
- Developed and implemented programs to promote student mental health and well-being.
- Collaborated with teachers to identify and support at-risk students effectively.
Therapist
Family Affair Counseling Agency
Gretna, LA
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Provided individual and group therapy sessions to promote mental well-being.
- Developed personalized treatment plans based on client assessments and needs.
- Conducted family assessments, developed and monitored treatment plans to address client needs, and provided therapeutic recommendations.
- Utilized cognitive behavioral techniques to address various psychological issues.
- Collaborated with staff to ensure client stability and coordinated services in crisis situations to enhance client support.
Family Preservation Therapist
Family Service of Greater New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
01.2007 - 01.2017
- Delivered multimodal therapy and conducted home visits and assessments, enhancing support for individuals, families, couples, and groups.
- Guided clients in developing coping skills for managing depression, anger, anxiety, family trauma, parenting challenges, substance abuse, and social-emotional issues.
- Developed personalized treatment plans based on client needs and goals.
- Provided individual therapy sessions for diverse client populations.
- Facilitated group therapy discussions to promote healing and connection.
Guidance School Counselor
John Ehret High School
Marrero, LA
01.2006 - 01.2014
- Coordinated student academic and career planning, master scheduling, standardized testing, FAFSA workshops, and five-year plans to enhance student readiness for post-secondary opportunities.
- Collaborated with school stakeholders to facilitate student transitions to college, career and technical training, and employment, ensuring support at each stage.
- Provided individual counseling to students facing academic and personal challenges.
- Led group sessions to promote social skills and emotional well-being.
- Collaborated with teachers to address student behavioral issues effectively.
Education
Master of Arts - Guidance Counseling
Our Lady of Holy Cross
New Orleans, LA 08.2002 - 01.2004
Bachelor of General Studies - Business
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, LA 08.1994 - 01.1999
Certificate - Education
Southern University at New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 08.2000 - 01.2001
Skills
- Academic Advising
- Career Counseling
- College Counseling
- FAFSA assistance
- Transcript Review
- Graduation Review
- Student Support Services
- Individualized Education Plans
- Student Engagement Strategies
- Telehealth
- CBT
- Solution-Focused Strategies
Licensure Certifications Training
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- ACT 219 Suicide Prevention
- Ethics Training
- Threat Safety Training for Teachers
- Bullying Prevention and Diversity Training
Timeline
Professional School Counselor
Louisiana Rebirth Blended Academy
07.2021 - Current
Behavioral Coach
AbleTo
01.2019 - 01.2025
Therapist
Family Affair Counseling Agency
01.2018 - 01.2020
Professional School Counselor
Helen Cox High School
01.2015 - 01.2021
Family Preservation Therapist
Family Service of Greater New Orleans
01.2007 - 01.2017
Guidance School Counselor
John Ehret High School
01.2006 - 01.2014
Master of Arts - Guidance Counseling
Our Lady of Holy Cross
08.2002 - 01.2004
Certificate - Education
Southern University at New Orleans
08.2000 - 01.2001
Bachelor of General Studies - Business
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
08.1994 - 01.1999