Stephanie Mackintosh
Costa Mesa,CA
Summary
Empathetic Registered Dance/Movement Therapist with extensive experience providing crisis intervention, psychological evaluations and psychotherapy services to children, adolescents and adults. Expertise in PTSD, sexual assault and other trauma-related disorders. Depression, anxiety, and other psychotic disorders. Understanding and compassionate professional committed to performing all duties in accordance with customary rules of ethics. Successful at helping clients unravel physical, mental and emotional layers to identify root causes of problems and develop strong coping skills for diverse scenarios. Proficient in interdisciplinary collaboration with passion for leaving positive impact on patient lives.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dance/Movement Therapist
Acera Health
02.2023 - Current
- Built strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and open communication for effective therapy sessions.
- Maintained detailed case notes and documentation, ensuring effective tracking of progress and continuity of care across providers.
- Established clear boundaries with clients, maintaining ethical practice standards while preserving the therapeutic relationship.
- Provided individual and group therapy sessions to patients experiencing mental health challenges.
- Developed innovative approaches for engaging reluctant or non-verbal clients in the therapeutic process using dance and creative arts as a means of communication.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to create comprehensive treatment plans for diverse patient populations.
- Developed goal-oriented psycho-educational therapeutic activities to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Increased emotional expression and self-awareness in patients through various artistic mediums, such as dancing, drawing, music, and play.
- Implemented creative arts techniques aimed at changing patterns of thinking or behavior that may be contributing to clients'' difficulties related to traumatic experiences.
Dance/Movement Therapist
CARTSS Counselling Association
07.2023 - 02.2024
- Implemented dance therapy techniques and interventions in collaboration with four hospitals in Orange County including Huntington Beach Hospital, West Anaheim Medical Center, La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, and College Hospital
- Conducted comprehensive assessments, maintained detailed progress notes, actively participated in treatment plan meetings, and handled various administrative tasks to ensure therapeutic delivery
- Facilitated therapeutic groups using Dance/Movement Therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, goal setting, and various creative art therapy interventions.
- Built strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and open communication for effective therapy sessions.
- Developed goal-oriented psycho-educational therapeutic activities to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Implemented group dance/movement therapy sessions addressing various themes such as grief and loss, self-esteem, identity exploration or conflict resolution.
Dance/Movement Therapy Intern
King's County Hospital
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Implemented dance therapy techniques and interventions to support patients in their recovery journey and enhance their social, cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities in daily life
- Strategically planned movement and art directions tailored to individual abilities, interests, and therapeutic goals
- Conducted both one-on-one and group dance/movement therapy sessions for patients within inpatient psychiatry
- Assessed clients' mental health needs, developed treatment plans and monitored progress.
- Enhanced emotional expression in patients through engaging group and individual sessions.
- Contributed to an inclusive atmosphere by adapting intervention strategies for individuals with varying abilities and backgrounds.
- Evaluated patient progress by conducting regular assessments and modifying therapy approaches accordingly.
Dance/Movement Therapy Intern
Buena Vida Continuing Care & Rehabilitation Center
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Developed and executed innovative dance and art therapy sessions for both individual and group settings for over 60 residents, fostering creative expression and therapeutic progress
- Skillfully facilitated interventions designed for geriatric patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's, dementia, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders, tailoring approaches to address specific needs
- Conducted assessments of movement and interaction, establishing short-term and long-term therapeutic goals for both individuals and groups
- Successfully implemented interventions aimed at aiding residents in their recovery and improving social, cognitive, emotional, and physical aspects of daily life.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to enhance skill set, contributing to overall intern growth and potential future employment prospects.
Behaviour Specialist & Intake Supervisor
CarePros
01.2019 - 08.2021
- Assisted families in accessing services by conducting thorough reviews and assessments, ensuring that their unique needs were met effectively
- Responded promptly and professionally to client and stakeholder inquiries, requests, and complaints, maintaining a high standard of client satisfaction
- Generated comprehensive reports and statistics on targets and intake data, providing valuable insights for program improvement
- Facilitated seamless communication and served as a vital liaison between staff, families, community medical providers, and professional consultants, fostering collaborative relationships
- Directly coordinated implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and termination of care plan services, optimizing revenue while ensuring the highest quality of care
- Oversaw execution of overall care plans for children diagnosed with behavioral and medical disabilities, contributing to their well-being and development.
Housing Outreach Worker
January 2018 - January 2019
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Supported clients in accessing housing, rehousing, and maintaining housing
- Managed a consistent client caseload of 25 individuals over the course of their 12 months in the program
- Collaborated with Indigenous educators to work from a culturally informed perspective
- Guided clients on their journey to housing stability
- Supported homeless individuals transitioning into housing by connecting them with necessary supplies, furniture donations, and move-in assistance resources.
- Conducted home visits to assess living conditions, identify potential risks, and provide personalized recommendations for improvement.
- Connected individuals to appropriate resources through comprehensive assessments, referrals, and followups.
- Developed strong relationships with local organizations to establish a network of support services for clients in need.
Education
Master of Science - Dance/Movement Therapy
Pratt Institute
Brooklyn, NY05.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo British Columbia 12.2017
Skills
Treatment Planning
- Building rapport
- Crisis Intervention
- One-on-one sessions
- Multicultural Competence
- Motivational Interviewing
- Client Confidentiality
- Group therapy facilitation
- Intervention Planning
- Humanistic therapy
- Emotional awareness
- Positive patient experiences
Certification
- Registered Dance/Movement Therapist 2023
- CPR and First Aid Certification- 2023
- PMCS (de-escalation training) - 2022 & 2023
- Prevent it! Trauma-informed Workshop- 2019
- Mental Health First Aid - 2018
Timeline
Dance/Movement Therapist
CARTSS Counselling Association
07.2023 - 02.2024
Dance/Movement Therapist
Acera Health
02.2023 - Current
Dance/Movement Therapy Intern
King's County Hospital
09.2022 - 05.2023
Dance/Movement Therapy Intern
Buena Vida Continuing Care & Rehabilitation Center
09.2021 - 05.2022
Behaviour Specialist & Intake Supervisor
CarePros
01.2019 - 08.2021
Housing Outreach Worker
January 2018 - January 2019
01.2018 - 01.2019
Master of Science - Dance/Movement Therapy
Pratt Institute
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Vancouver Island University
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