Vanesa Fimbrez
Newberg
Summary
Professional with background in mental health services, adept at delivering high-quality therapeutic interventions. Known for fostering collaborative environments and achieving client-centered outcomes. Reliable and adaptable, excels in dynamic settings,and team-based and independent settings alike. Strong skills in crisis management, therapeutic communication, and client advocacy.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavioral Health Clinician
Yamhill County Health & Human Services
09.2024 - Current
- Provided therapeutic interventions and community based wraparound services on a multidisciplinary team, developing individualized treatment plans for diverse populations with Severe Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI).
- Utilized therapeutic modalities including CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems, with a trauma-informed, client-centered approach.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of best practices in behavioral health through attending trainings.
- Documented client progress through maintaining detailed case notes in compliance with agency guidelines and HIPAA requirements.
- Advocated for client needs within the larger healthcare and legal systems.
- Provided crisis intervention services, effectively deescalating situations and connecting individuals with appropriate resources.
- Collaborated with primary care providers to ensure coordinated care for clients with co-occurring mental health and medical concerns.
- Enhanced client satisfaction through providing compassionate care and fostering strong therapeutic relationships.
- Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy.
- Provided referrals to connect clients with other community resources to support mental health and well-being.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Managed patients with substance dependence and co-occurring Axis I disorders.
- Implemented trauma-informed care principles in working with clients who have experienced various forms of trauma, facilitating healing and resilience.
- Increased access to behavioral health services by conducting outreach efforts within the community and building partnerships with local organizations.
Care Counselor
Cancer CAREpoint
03.2021 - 08.2023
- Created comprehensive needs assessment and treatment plans to address biopsychosocial and spiritual needs of people affected by cancer.
- Provided therapeutic interventions to individuals, couples, and family members who are impacted by cancer.
- Lead weekly groups for clients at any stage of any cancer diagnosis, caregivers and family members of cancer patients, a monthly craft group to build community for folks impacted by cancer, and a Mind Over Matter series utilizing ACT, CBT, and mindfulness and somatic principles to help clients learn emotional and nervous system regulation.
- Provide case management to referrals from Valley Medical Center, a population that is underserved, we provide culturally conscious counseling, referrals to the community, practical interventions so assist with transportation, food and Cal-Fresh provision, homelessness assistance, and more.
- Coordinate with outside agencies to provide educational presentations to the community on public health around cancer.
Case Manager, Special Programs Resource Specialist
Superior Court of CA - Drug and Mental Health Treatment Court
01.2016 - 10.2020
- Build partnerships with collaborative treatment team including District Attorney, Public Defender, Mental Health clinicians, social workers, agency staff, contract providers, clerical team.
- Create treatment plans and needs assessments for adult participants in treatment court.
- Utilize county and private resources to address housing, food, shelter, mental health, substance use recovery, and reentry needs of clients.
- Coordinate Outreach Court with the Office of Reentry Services, Faith based programs, Bay Area Legal Aide, and more.
- Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
- Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
- Enhanced communication between clients and providers through consistent follow-ups and progress updates.
Acupuncturist
Integrative Wellness Center
05.2015 - 02.2016
- Provided thorough diagnostic intake for new and returning clients.
- Treated patients with a wide variety of health concerns, including but not limited to: fertility support, musculoskeletal pain, insomnia, depression and anxiety, and migraine headaches.
- Utilized TCM theory to diagnoses patterns of imbalance, created point prescription and herbal prescriptions.
- Built rapport with clients, educated the public on TCM and acupuncture, kept confidential and up-to-date records of client visits.
- Worked with a team of integrative healthcare providers.
Acupuncturist
Remedy Wellness Studio
11.2014 - 08.2015
- Community style acupuncture treatments. Utilized Master Tung points as well as distal body and scalp points in treatments.
- New patient intakes, diagnosis, point prescription.
- Filled herbal prescriptions from lead acupuncturist and owner.
- Fielded questions from walk-ins curious about acupuncture and the business.
- Scheduling and payment processing, generated super bills for clients to receive insurance reimbursement.
Acupuncture Intern
Dr. Lifan Liang
09.2011 - 06.2012
- Conduct intake assessments and return screenings with clients utilizing tongue and pulse diagnosis.
- Preparation of custom herbal blends (granules).
- Maintenance of accurate, timely, and confidential client files with attention to collecting and updating not just acupuncture and herbal info, but biomedical fertility treatment info for clients through their in vitro fertilization journey.
- Maintain a clean and comfortable clinic, as well as manage the flow of a multi-room, multi-practitioner high volume practice.
- Scheduling, answer phones, respond to email and phoned questions from the community.
METHADONE MAINTENANCE COUNSELOR
JANUS OF SANTA CRUZ
01.2005 - 07.2006
- 50 patient caseload, weekly hour-long sessions providing individual counseling, create and track treatment plans synthesizing client and medical staff input on goals for treatment.
- Maintenance of confidential, detailed reports.
- Referrals to county and private agencies to meet client needs (housing, medical, employment, etc.)
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH
03.2004 - 06.2005
- Work effectively with a staff consisting of mental health counselors, therapists, probation officers, psychiatrists, police, educators, and substance use rehabilitation staff.
- Supervise daily living activities for teenage clients living in a locked residential facility, participating in a wrap-around juvenile justice system diversion program.
- Model prosocial behaviors, build rapport with clients, provide clear expectations for the clients.
- Give detailed shift reports to the MH staff and clinicians, keeping program staff consistent and up-to-date.
Suicide and Crisis Counselor
Santa Clara County Social Services Agency
12.1998 - 07.2000
- Complete 9 week training on suicide and crisis intervention.
- Assess callers for suicide potential, imminent danger, and triaged with callers, referring out to County behavioral health, or police, as required. Verbally contract with callers for client safety.
- Document all incoming calls according to program requirements.
- Provided timely assistance to individuals in crisis, utilizing active listening skills and empathy to establish rapport quickly.
- Implemented evidence-based counseling techniques to assist clients in identifying triggers for their crises and developing healthy coping strategies moving forward.
- Developed resources for clients in need, connecting them with community services and programs that best suited their situation.
Education
Master's - Clinical Social Work
Boston University
08.2020
Masters - Traditional Chinese Medicine
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
06.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Modern Literature
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA06.2006
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Mac
- Case Management
- Documentation
- Counseling
- Problem solving
- Mental Health
- Individual / Group Counseling
- Chinese medicine
- Motivational Interviewing
- Meeting Facilitation
- Crisis Management
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Program Development
- Conflict Management
- Multicultural competence
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Relationship building
- Client education
- Client Advocacy
- Active listening
- Effective communication
Languages
Spanish - Intermediate
Timeline
Behavioral Health Clinician
Yamhill County Health & Human Services
09.2024 - Current
Care Counselor
Cancer CAREpoint
03.2021 - 08.2023
Case Manager, Special Programs Resource Specialist
Superior Court of CA - Drug and Mental Health Treatment Court
01.2016 - 10.2020
Acupuncturist
Integrative Wellness Center
05.2015 - 02.2016
Acupuncturist
Remedy Wellness Studio
11.2014 - 08.2015
Acupuncture Intern
Dr. Lifan Liang
09.2011 - 06.2012
METHADONE MAINTENANCE COUNSELOR
JANUS OF SANTA CRUZ
01.2005 - 07.2006
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH
03.2004 - 06.2005
Suicide and Crisis Counselor
Santa Clara County Social Services Agency
12.1998 - 07.2000
Masters - Traditional Chinese Medicine
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Bachelor of Arts - Modern Literature
University of California-Santa Cruz
Master's - Clinical Social Work
Boston University