SUSAN D DIAZ
Old Lyme
Summary
Experienced mental health professional prepared for role. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving impactful results. Skilled in psychological assessment, counseling, and developing intervention plans. Reliable and adaptable, with proven ability to support students and faculty alike.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
School Psychologist
Old Saybrook Public Schools
09.2010 - Current
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Conducted group and individual counseling sessions for key issues.
- Assisted in crisis response efforts, ensuring timely interventions for at-risk students while maintaining a safe learning environment.
- Facilitated group counseling sessions, promoting healthy communication skills and peer relationships among participants.
- Provided professional development opportunities for staff members on topics related to mental health awareness, classroom management, and social-emotional learning.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Served as a liaison between families, school personnel, community agencies, and other professionals involved in the care of students with special needs or disabilities.
- Developed social skills training programs to increase positive peer interactions and decrease instances of conflict among students.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive support for students with complex needs.
School Psychologist
Manchester Public Schools
09.1999 - 06.2010
- Consulted with teachers and parents to gain in-depth understanding of students.
- Conducted group and individual counseling sessions for key issues.
- Assisted in crisis response efforts, ensuring timely interventions for at-risk students while maintaining a safe learning environment.
- Collaborated with educators, school administrators and external professionals in development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Facilitated group counseling sessions, promoting healthy communication skills and peer relationships among participants.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Improved student well-being by conducting comprehensive psychological assessments and creating tailored intervention plans.
- Collaborated with teachers and parents to implement effective strategies for addressing students'' unique learning needs.
- Served as a liaison between families, school personnel, community agencies, and other professionals involved in the care of students with special needs or disabilities.
- Built positive and productive relationships with students, parents, educators and community resources.
- Developed social skills training programs to increase positive peer interactions and decrease instances of conflict among students.
- Fostered positive behavioral changes in students, implementing behavior modification techniques and social skills training.
- Conducted comprehensive psychological assessments to identify students' needs, facilitating tailored support plans.
Adoption Counselor - Part Time
Child Adoption Resource Association
03.1996 - 09.1999
- Enhanced the adoption process by conducting thorough interviews and assessments of potential adoptive families.
- Developed comprehensive case plans for successful adoptions, addressing individual family strengths and challenges.
- Provided ongoing support to adoptive families by offering counseling and guidance during the adjustment period.
- Established strong relationships with community partners to increase awareness of available adoption resources.
- Facilitated training sessions on various topics related to adoption for prospective adoptive parents and professionals.
Clinicial Coordinator
Children's Home of Cromwell
06.1994 - 06.1997
- Rendered mental health and counseling services to adolescent boys by focusing on development of healthy relationships.
- Conducted intake and needs assessments to set therapeutic goals and establish professional relationships with clients.
- Delivered counseling services to families and couples dealing with familial issues.
- Maintained accurate and thoroughly documented notes and client records in accordance with licensing standards.
- Supported parents in navigating challenging situations such as divorce or custody disputes, reducing stressors in the family system.
- Promoted healthy family dynamics by facilitating group therapy sessions.
Substance Abuse Counselor
New Perceptions
07.1992 - 06.1994
- Developed relapse prevention strategies for clients transitioning out of treatment programs, empowering them to maintain long-term sobriety.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client progress, facilitating informed decision-making within the treatment team.
- Supported aftercare planning for continued recovery after treatment.
- Developed individual treatment goals based on history and diagnosis.
- Established trusting relationships with clients, creating an open dialogue about their experiences and challenges related to substance abuse.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans, ensuring continuity of care for clients.
- Provided counseling and support to clients with drug and alcohol abuse issues.
Education
Sixth Year Diploma, Certificate of Advanced Grad. - School Psychology
Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT05-1999
Master of Science - Marriage And Family Therapy
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI05-1992
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
State University of New York
Albany, NY05-1990
Skills
- Positive behavior supports
- Solutions-focused
- Individual and family support
- Evidence-based practices
- Trauma-informed practices
- Restorative justice practices
- Mediation and crisis intervention
Timeline
School Psychologist
Old Saybrook Public Schools
09.2010 - Current
School Psychologist
Manchester Public Schools
09.1999 - 06.2010
Adoption Counselor - Part Time
Child Adoption Resource Association
03.1996 - 09.1999
Clinicial Coordinator
Children's Home of Cromwell
06.1994 - 06.1997
Substance Abuse Counselor
New Perceptions
07.1992 - 06.1994
Sixth Year Diploma, Certificate of Advanced Grad. - School Psychology
Southern Connecticut State University
Master of Science - Marriage And Family Therapy
University of Rhode Island
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
State University of New York
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