SMARLYN COLON
Runnemede,USA
Summary
Mental health clinician with extensive experience in delivering tailored therapeutic services and crisis interventions. Proficient in evidence-based practices, treatment planning, and comprehensive documentation, ensuring high-quality client care and advocacy in diverse settings.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health Psychologist
Southwood State Prison-Rutgers University
Bridgeton, New Jersey
07.2025 - Current
- Assessing mental health functioning, emotional stability, behavioral patterns, and psychiatric symptoms.
- Evaluating risk factors such as violence risk, suicide risk, self-harm, sexual offense risk, and institutional adjustment.
- Completing forensic evaluations related to competency, malingering, criminal responsibility, Sex Offenders, treatment readiness, and reentry planning.
- Collaborating with custody staff, psychiatrists, social workers, medical personnel, and interdisciplinary treatment teams.
Intensive Services Therapist
Inner Strength Counseling
Cherry Hill, NJ
11.2020 - Current
- Utilized evidence-based practices to deliver tailored counseling to children and adolescents, addressing their specific needs.
- Provide services based on individualized treatment plans including individual therapy, play therapy, and applied behavioral analysis therapy.
- Completed weekly progress notes and collaterals after each encounter, ensuring comprehensive documentation in electronic health record (CYBER).
- Provided occupational and educational services to individuals, facilitating the development of educational and vocational plans.
Intensive Services Therapist
ABC Therapy Services
Hammonton, NJ
06.2019 - 04.2026
- Delivered in-home and community counseling (IIC) to children/adolescents, implementing one-on-one skill-building interventions to support individual development.
- Administered individualized treatment plans, incorporating individual therapy, play therapy, and applied behavioral analysis to address unique needs of clients.
- Utilized evidence-based practices and interventions to provide tailored counseling services to children/adolescents, ensuring alignment with their specific requirements.
- Accurately complete time logs and written progress reports.
Bilingual Level III Clinician
Center For Family Services Juntos IV
Cherry Hill, NJ
05.2023 - 07.2025
- Completed needs assessments and developed Rehabilitation/Transition Plans to empower clients in making informed decisions and taking responsible action toward their goals.
- Supported case management staff with clinical consultation for difficult cases and directed compliance with program requirements.
- Coordinated effective collaboration with partners, ORR, volunteer agencies, and stakeholders engaged in service provision for unaccompanied children and families.
- Contributed to enhancing permanency options for families by performing tasks promptly, providing regular updates, and adhering to agency policies and regulations.
Lead Bilingual Clinician
Center For Family Services Juntos
Burlington, NJ
01.2021 - 05.2023
- Reporting to the Program Director, the Lead Clinician will be responsible for supporting and ensuring the comprehensive service delivery of clinical services in the ORR program.
- Supervised clinicians directly, participating in on-call schedule while supporting service delivery, documentation, and client-related issues.
- Provided consultation and trauma-informed expertise to program staff and stakeholders, promoting stable foster placements and enhancing clinical feedback.
- Ensured compliance with ORR and program documentation practices and reporting requirements by adhering to contract and licensing standards.
Bilingual Clinician
Center For Family Services-Juntos
Burlington, NJ
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Provided direct therapeutic services to clients and program participants, including group work and family therapy.
- Administered behavioral and mental health assessments for children and families, completing Individual Crisis Management Plans, Behavioral Plans, and Safety Plans.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments using standardized measures as per Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) standards, contributing clinical insights during case staffing to address client treatment needs.
- Coordinated services for participants with Case Manager to ensure tailored support and intervention.
- Maintained documentation of clinical activities in line with program and state policy while ensuring up-to-date knowledge of DHS and UC/ORR policies and procedures.
Bilingual Outpatient Therapist
Center for Family Services- Great Abilities
Voorhees, NJ
08.2018 - 05.2019
- Developed individualized treatment plans that aligned with client assessments and goals.
- Counseled clients in individual and group sessions to support overcoming dependencies and adapting to life changes.
- Facilitated stress management and self-esteem enhancement strategies during individual sessions.
- Maintained confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
Lead Truancy Case Manager
Carson Valley Children's Aid
10.2014 - 12.2017
- Collaborated with TIPS Director and Truancy Case Managers to prepare for and attend court appearances, advocating for clients at Southwest Regional Truancy Court and Family Court.
- The TIPS Case Manager will assist children, youth and families in overcoming obstacles to obtaining regular school attendance and academic achievement through intensive comprehensive strengths-based programming; and help to prevent entry into the Child Welfare system.
- Supervised case managers bi-weekly and developed comprehensive plans with youth, parents, and involved parties to address barriers to school attendance.
Social Worker
Temple University Health Center
11.2014 - 10.2015
- Delivered comprehensive plan of care interventions, including resource allocation, referral assistance, crisis intervention, prevention strategies, education, patient advocacy, therapy, and counseling, to enhance patient outcomes.
- Collaborated with health care team to engage patients and families in developing and implementing personalized care plans, fostering a supportive environment.
- Facilitated transitions and placements of patients by acting as liaison with community resources and staff, ensuring continuity of care within the service line.
Program Support Assistant Director
Allegheny Valley School
Philadelphia, PA
05.2012 - 04.2013
- Developed and implemented organizational systems to streamline daily operations.
- Managed and maintained electronic and paper-based filing systems to keep essential documents and information easily accessible and organized.
- Coordinated and scheduled meetings and appointments to keep organization running smoothly.
- Perform administrative work related to record keeping, filing, unit planning, monitoring, resource studies, purchasing, minor budget tasks, travel, human resources, property management, facility liaison, and other related tasks.
Behavior Care Provider
The Mental Network
Philadelphia, PA
06.2008 - 12.2010
- Utilized cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques with children ages 3-9 with severe emotional disturbances, autism spectrum disorders, and developmental delays.
- Managed disruptive and self-injurious behaviors in children, enhancing safety and promoting healthier coping skills.
- Collaborated with special education teachers and parents to align interventions between classroom and home, fostering a cohesive support system.
Education
PhD - Forensic Psychology
Walden University
07-2024
Master of Arts - Philosophy
Walden University
11-2020
Master of Science - Psychology
Ashford University
07-2017
Bachelor of Science - Psychology-Child Development
Kaplan University
10-2014
Associate of Liberal Arts -
Eastern University
05-2012
Skills
- Psychological and behavioral assessments
- Individual and group therapy
- Crisis intervention and de-escalation
- Treatment planning
- Case management
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Trauma-informed care
- Behavior modification
- Clinical documentation and reporting
- Risk assessment
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) support
- Juvenile justice experience
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Client advocacy and referrals
- Verbal and written communication
- Crisis evaluation and support
- Microsoft Office Suite
Languages
Spanish, Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Mental Health Psychologist
Southwood State Prison-Rutgers University
07.2025 - Current
Bilingual Level III Clinician
Center For Family Services Juntos IV
05.2023 - 07.2025
Lead Bilingual Clinician
Center For Family Services Juntos
01.2021 - 05.2023
Intensive Services Therapist
Inner Strength Counseling
11.2020 - Current
Intensive Services Therapist
ABC Therapy Services
06.2019 - 04.2026
Bilingual Outpatient Therapist
Center for Family Services- Great Abilities
08.2018 - 05.2019
Bilingual Clinician
Center For Family Services-Juntos
01.2018 - 01.2021
Social Worker
Temple University Health Center
11.2014 - 10.2015
Lead Truancy Case Manager
Carson Valley Children's Aid
10.2014 - 12.2017
Program Support Assistant Director
Allegheny Valley School
05.2012 - 04.2013
Behavior Care Provider
The Mental Network
06.2008 - 12.2010
PhD - Forensic Psychology
Walden University
Master of Arts - Philosophy
Walden University
Master of Science - Psychology
Ashford University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology-Child Development
Kaplan University
Associate of Liberal Arts -
Eastern University