Mental Health Counselor

• Oct 2022 - Present

At Courage to Connect, I provide individual and family counseling based on my specialties and passion for community-based care. I see children ages 5+ and patients across the lifespan. I have openings for new intakes! At Courage to Connect, I provide individual and family counseling based on my specialties and passion for community-based care. I see children ages 5+ and patients across the lifespan. I have openings for new intakes!

Owner

• Feb 2023 - Present

Companion Animal Collective's core belief is that the human-animal bond is a gift that teaches us how to be in wellness together. I believe we share the life-force of the Natural World and this force holds the blueprint for healing and belonging. Nature is the best teacher when it comes to relationships. CAC invites you to embrace "animality." Disassociating from our animal bodies tends to lead to poorer understanding of ourselves and others. Working at the intersection of mental health and animal assisted therapy, I witnessed the structures within healthcare and animal care that contribute to colonial thinking, actions, and oppressive harm. There is great need to decolonize "wellness" and animal-assisted work and develop consent-based, and liberatory-centered frameworks to nurture the human-animal bond's true potential. The deepest bond is one of mutual respect. CAC strives to help you develop not only a special bond with your companion animal, but with yourself, your loved ones, society, and the Earth. Show less

Licensed Professional Counselor

• Apr 2021 - Feb 2023

I provided groundwork and mounted interactions with horses for clients in need of mental health services. In this enhanced therapeutic environment, clients tended to show higher motivation to engage in therapy due to the ability to interact with horses, found enjoyment in nature, as well as engaged in other creative methods (i.e., fishing and art). I was the lead group therapist in partnership with Warren Township, serving middle and high school cohorts. I also facilitated the NAMI-partnered group at Equestrian Connection. Show less

Licensed Professional Counselor

• May 2019 - Jan 2022

Graduate Research Assistant

• Aug 2017 - Jul 2019

This was a paid work-study position to assist two psychologists and professors at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I assisted in blind review of papers in press, drafts, and research methodology critique. The specialties of Dr. Adames and Dr. Chavez, my mentors and supervisors for this program, include critical race theory, immigration, mental health for minoritized populations, and Latinx mental health. Their seminal works on colorism, within-and-between group differences in the Latinx community, and multiple awards from the APA speak to their commitment to social justice, scholar activism, and leadership in the field. During this time, I was invited to participate in an ongoing research lab called the IC-Race Lab (Immigration, Critical Race, and Cultural Equity Lab), where I was provided experiential learning related to cross-cultural interaction, and was mentored in my development of a healthier white racial identity (Helms, 1990). Show less

Clinical Psychology Intern

• Sep 2018 - Jun 2019

I managed a caseload of about 10-15 clients per week, and also facilitated the Latinx children's therapy group. I engaged my training in Latinx mental health to deliver services that were appropriate and culturally sensitive. I served clients in the midst of change to better their lives and end interpersonal violence. Each year in October, Between Friends holds a candlelight vigil to honor those lost to interpersonal violence. In 2018, I helped organize the vigil and volunteered to assist attendees. I also brought my musical skills to a holiday party in December, where my band played at an event that celebrated the community as well as provided financial literacy and training to those who were bravely changing their lives. I gained great experiencing working with DCFS, in advocacy for clients in the family court, and in my clinical skills. I also worked the crisis line as well as assisted folks in connecting with our court advocates. Show less

Writing Coach

• Sep 2016 - Jun 2018

At NCADE, our mission was to provide innovative services to students and faculty, assisting with both writing and research. As a writing coach, I used a unique set of skills, including Applied Behavior Analysis to monitoring client progress through data collection and effectively implementing goals for skill acquisition. Writing coaches offered both electronic and in-person consultations. Many of our students were ESL learners that required tailored approaches when learning or revisiting the fundamentals of English grammar. I stressed four main areas of writing improvement: APA style, grammar, mechanics, and organization. I also gave presentations on the services we offer so students and faculty can take advantage of our unique programs, such as the Academic Writing Seminar, Academic Writing Process, and Time Management and Learning consultations. Show less

ABA Therapist

• Oct 2014 - Oct 2016

I provided at home applied behavioral analysis for children and families with autism. We worked with science-driven data to achieve measurable outcomes to improve emotional regulation, ADL functioning, and fundamental skills for success. I provided at home applied behavioral analysis for children and families with autism. We worked with science-driven data to achieve measurable outcomes to improve emotional regulation, ADL functioning, and fundamental skills for success.

Riding Instructor

• Jan 2012 - Jan 2014

I began my work at John White Stables as a volunteer groom and worked my way up to teaching private lessons for youth and adults through the Woodstock Recreation Center. This paid apprenticeship allowed me to learn hands-on skills for horse care, training, and riding instruction. I also founded a still-thriving program called Trotting Tots, which served children between the ages of 3-6 in developing fine motor skills, discipline, responsibility, and engaging in equine assisted learning. I was also the lead camp counselor for riders who participated in our summer and winter camps, and planned the camp schedule, trained volunteer counselors, and oversaw safety and scheduling. Show less

Receptionist

• Jun 2007 - Aug 2007

This was my first job, which was a summer job offered through an initiative in Evanston for employment of high schoolers or those who just graduated. I enjoyed my time getting to know the staff in reception, helping with paperwork filing and engaging with the culture of the Evanston police department. This was my first job, which was a summer job offered through an initiative in Evanston for employment of high schoolers or those who just graduated. I enjoyed my time getting to know the staff in reception, helping with paperwork filing and engaging with the culture of the Evanston police department.