Shanel Stephens
Boca Raton,USA
Summary
I am a dedicated and well-rounded aspiring Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor with over 8 years of dynamic work experience. Expert in planning, organization and providing comprehensive notetaking. diplomatic, personable, goal-orientated and adept at managing sensitive situations. Very organized, self-motivated, and dedicated to excellent customer service.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Teaching Assistant
Florida State University
08.2025 - Current
- Coordinated academic support services, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
- Mentored undergraduate students, promoting their academic growth and success.
- Supported faculty with classroom management and instructional strategies for diverse learners.
- Conducted research to assist in curriculum development and program evaluation initiatives.
Mental Health Counselor Intern
Protective Factors Group
09.2024 - 05.2025
- Conducted individual counseling sessions to support clients' mental health and emotional well-being.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement treatment plans for diverse client populations.
- Documented client interactions and progress notes on the Simple practice to ensure compliance with organizational standards.
- Developed educational materials on mental health awareness for community outreach initiatives and workshops.
Counselor in Residence
Florida Atlantic University Counseling and Psychological Services (FAU CAPS) and the Department of Housing and Residential Education
09.2023 - 05.2025
- Provide after-hours support for mental health and emotional concerns of the residential population in conjunction with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
- Help to implement educational programs and workshops to enhance wellness, well-being, resilience, and healthy habits per semester.
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to create supportive environments for students in residential settings.
- Developed and implemented outreach programs addressing diverse student needs and enhancing engagement.
- Facilitated individual and group counseling sessions to support student mental health and well-being.
Mental Health Counselor Intern
Integrated Healthcare System
05.2024 - 08.2024
- Work with adults facing severe Mental Illness, Homelessness and Correctional Orders.
- Providing screening and intake for clients
- Facilitating group counseling sessions.
- Providing individual counseling sessions, and assessments.
- Collecting group counseling and individual counseling notes on the Tebra System
- Providing mental status examinations.
Vocational Rehabilitation Technician
Florida Department of Education – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Area 7
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Prepare and maintain records and case files.
- Provides administrative support and technical assistance to a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) unit and its customers.
- Works with customers by obtaining and verifying referral information.
- Interacts with transitional specialists and Pre-Employment Transition Customers
- Facilitates orientation and assists in processing consumers.
- Negotiates the RIMS (AWARE) systems and monitors cases.
- Schedules appointments and notifies customers of counselor assignments.
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Counselors Education – Florida Atlantic University
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Assisting in the formulation of presentations and other research documents for the Department of Counselors Education.
- Assisting the head of department in research for the Department of Counselors Education for the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Centre for Quality Employment.
- Attended meetings on behalf of the Department of Counselors Education.
Executive Secretary - Chief Technical Director
Crime Prevention Rehabilitation & Inspectorate Policy Division– Ministry of National Security
03.2021 - 12.2021
- Providing administrative and clerical support to the Chief Technical Director.
- Scheduling at least 3 meetings a week and making other necessary arrangements.
- Liaising with internal and external parties on behalf of the Chief Technical Director.
- Managing travel and schedule of Chief Technical Director.
- Creating memorandums, letters, and meeting notes on behalf of the Chief Technical Director’s office.
- Issuing communication directives and responses between the Chief Technical Director and internal and external parties.
Policy Program Development Specialist
Crime Prevention Rehabilitation & Inspectorate Policy Division – Ministry of National Security
08.2020 - 03.2021
- Monitored at least 3 major projects and identified gaps in capacity for program delivery.
- Developed and maintained reports for Crime Prevention Rehabilitation & Inspectorate Policy Division.
- Coordinated and communicated with partnership groups for project completion.
- Supervised projects partnered with the Ministry of National Security.
- Organized meetings generated agendas and distributed minutes to improve communication and transparency.
- Liaised effectively with stakeholders including contractors and other government entities.
Senior Administrator - We Transform Youth Empowerment Program
Ministry of National Security
05.2019 - 09.2019
- Scheduled meetings for the Juvenile Rehabilitation and Diversion Unit.
- Coordinated schedules for mentors under the We Transform Mentorship Program.
- Assisted with the coordination and training of We Transform Mentors.
- Negotiated correspondence between the program and its Mentors.
- Assisted in the planning and execution of the program’s events.
Junior Projects Coordinator
Sandals Resorts International
06.2018 - 01.2019
- Negotiated Sandals purchasing interface to ascertain orders made by the Jamaican Sandals Properties.
- Organized purchase requests to be reviewed by the Projects Director for Sandals Resorts International.
- Approved items that were authorized for purchase by the Director of SRI Projects Department.
- Oversaw information being communicated to Miami Purchasing Department to complete orders.
- Liaised with all Projects Coordinators and Project Managers on the Jamaican Sandals properties.
- Received onsite project coordination training on all Jamaican Sandals Resorts International Properties.
Collections and Retentions Analyst & Outbound Sale
Digicel
11.2015 - 12.2017
- Developed innovative strategies to collect debt.
- Resolved payment and billing related queries.
- Retained customers on Digicel Play Services.
- Built a daily rapport with customers.
- Resolved technical and customer related queries.
- Acquired new customers for Digicel Play Services.
- Prepared daily excel reports and sales data reports.
Curatorial Assistant
National Gallery West
06.2014 - 07.2015
- Oversaw the day-to-day operations of The National Gallery West Exhibition Gallery.
- Prepared tour scripts for exhibitions, under the supervision of the National Gallery Curatorial and Education Department.
- Scheduled and conducted tours.
- Facilitated the planning and implementation of in-house programs and exhibitions for the center.
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling M.Ed. and (Ed.S.) Mental health Counseling
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida05-2025
Psychology - Counselling
Caribbean Graduate School of Theology
Kingston03.2020
Bachelor of Arts - History and Heritage
University of the West Indies, Mona
Kingston07.2014
Ph.D. - Marriage And Family Therapy
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL05-2029
Diploma of Higher Education - Humanities
Rusea's High School
Lucea, Hanover05.2009
A-Levels - Humanities
Rusea's High School Sixth Form
Lucea, Hanover07.2011
120 Hour Master TESOL/TEFL Certificate - undefined
Bridge Education Group
Online02.2021
Security Awareness for End Users
Skillsoft Compliance Solutions
Online02.2022
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
Online02.2022
Skills
- Dedicated team player
- Multiculturally Competent
- Verbal and Grammar Competency
- Emotional Intelligence
- Negotiation Skills
- Strong Analysis and Database Skills
- Project Coordination Experience
- Public Speaking
- Planning and Execution of Events
- Creative Team and Youth Leadership
Certification
- Negotiation Skills, State Protocol and Etiquette Certificate – Management Institute for National Development (2019)
- Certificate for completing the We Transform Mentorship Training (2019)
- Graduate of the Mary Seacole Hall Leadership Academy (2014)
- Mary Seacole Hall Premier Award for Role Model of the Year (2013-2014)
- Mary Seacole Hall Premier Award for Hype Blockite of the Year (2012- 2013)
- Rusea’s High School Head Girl in (2010- 2011)
Timeline
Teaching Assistant
Florida State University
08.2025 - Current
Mental Health Counselor Intern
Protective Factors Group
09.2024 - 05.2025
Mental Health Counselor Intern
Integrated Healthcare System
05.2024 - 08.2024
Counselor in Residence
Florida Atlantic University Counseling and Psychological Services (FAU CAPS) and the Department of Housing and Residential Education
09.2023 - 05.2025
Vocational Rehabilitation Technician
Florida Department of Education – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Area 7
01.2023 - 05.2023
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Counselors Education – Florida Atlantic University
01.2022 - 12.2022
Executive Secretary - Chief Technical Director
Crime Prevention Rehabilitation & Inspectorate Policy Division– Ministry of National Security
03.2021 - 12.2021
Policy Program Development Specialist
Crime Prevention Rehabilitation & Inspectorate Policy Division – Ministry of National Security
08.2020 - 03.2021
Senior Administrator - We Transform Youth Empowerment Program
Ministry of National Security
05.2019 - 09.2019
Junior Projects Coordinator
Sandals Resorts International
06.2018 - 01.2019
Collections and Retentions Analyst & Outbound Sale
Digicel
11.2015 - 12.2017
Curatorial Assistant
National Gallery West
06.2014 - 07.2015
Psychology - Counselling
Caribbean Graduate School of Theology
Bachelor of Arts - History and Heritage
University of the West Indies, Mona
Diploma of Higher Education - Humanities
Rusea's High School
A-Levels - Humanities
Rusea's High School Sixth Form
120 Hour Master TESOL/TEFL Certificate - undefined
Bridge Education Group
Security Awareness for End Users
Skillsoft Compliance Solutions
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
Master of Arts - Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling M.Ed. and (Ed.S.) Mental health Counseling
Florida Atlantic University
Ph.D. - Marriage And Family Therapy
Florida State University
Specialized Training & Other Notable Activities
Administrative Support to the Correctional Services Technical Working Group
Mary Seacole Hall Leadership Academy
This program was geared towards developing leadership qualities in young female leaders on the Mary Seacole Hall on the University of the West Indies, Mona.