Child and Family Therapist

• Oct 2015 - Present

Graduate Student

• Sep 2013 - Present

I am expected to graduate with a Masters in Social Work June of 2015. I am expected to graduate with a Masters in Social Work June of 2015.

Qualified Mental Health Associate (Waivered)-MSW Intern

• Sep 2014 - Jun 2015

I do individual therapy and case management with clients on a weekly basis. I have also worked with families. I work with clients of all ages (children, adolescents, adults, and seniors citizens). I approach my clients from a strengths-based, biopsychosocial perspective. I find it is imperative to meet the client where they are at and work collaboratively to develop positive and effective interventions. I approach the work from a psychodynamic theoretical approach and have used Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Systems' theory. After developing an alliance with my client, I use the framework that will work best for that individual client. Show less

Graduate MSW Intern

• Aug 2013 - Jun 2014

I worked with students who were experiencing or had experienced hardships, trauma, or behavioral issues that were affecting their ability to attend school and prosper. I also led a girls' group that worked on issues such as: relational aggression, body image, and self-esteem. I also created a survey to assist the administration and staff in looking at their disciplinary actions and the impact it was having upon the student body. I conducted a professional development again to help provide suggestion on how to successfully reach students on an emotional basis in order to help them succeed in an academic setting. Show less

Teacher

• Dec 2001 - Jul 2013

I taught first, second, and fifth grade in a public school in an economically disadvantaged, culturally diverse neighborhood in South Central, Los Angeles. I was elected by my colleagues to serve as president on the School Review and Budget committees working with the principal, school district, and parents to determine our budget for the in-coming year, interview potential new teachers, help work with my colleagues to monitor our progress as a school and enrich our curriculum and teaching practices. I was also nominated and elected by my teaching colleagues, at two different schools, to serve as the Union representative at the worksite. I won a grant for my classroom from the Richard Riordan Foundation that gave me a brand new classroom library and computers. I also organized Career Day and conduced a college project with my fifth grade classes every year helping my students learn the application process and make connections to various schools. I brought in speakers and felt that my job was to teach the whole child. My goal every year was to help my students make gains emotionally as well as academically. I worked to empower my students to feel they could make positive contributions to the world. I worked to help them be their best selves demonstrating responsibility, curiosity, and kindness. Show less

Field Representative

• Jan 1998 - Dec 2000

I mediated between constituents and state agencies. I helped constituents navigate social agencies to find resources to meet their needs. I met with constituents to address their issues, concerns or legislative ideas and represented Assembly Member Wally Knox at meetings and public events. I mediated between constituents and state agencies. I helped constituents navigate social agencies to find resources to meet their needs. I met with constituents to address their issues, concerns or legislative ideas and represented Assembly Member Wally Knox at meetings and public events.