Psychotherapist In Private Practice

• Jul 2021 - Present

Staff Therapist

• Mar 2019 - Jul 2021

Fully licensed psychotherapist (LPC) in a culturally diverse environment that services the LGBT community.Conducts intakes with clients to assess needs and provide diagnoses as neededAssists clients in crisis Develops and maintains treatment plans and conducts required mental healthcare assessments to monitor clients’ development and potential needsCollaborates with treatment team regarding individual and group clientsCollects information about clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.Documents client information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.Counsels individuals and groups to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plansDevelops treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, and needs.Advises clients on how they could be helped by counselingAssesses each client individually and makes accurate diagnoses per DSM guidelinesConsults with other professionals, agencies, or universities to discuss therapies, treatments, counseling resources or techniques, and to share occupational information.Evaluates the results of counseling methods to determine the reliability and validity of treatments.Facilitates a trauma support groupAdditional roles:Conducts LGBTQ ally trainings at organizations and universities in the greater Houston area to help these organizations create and maintain an affirming and safe place for LGBTQ individualsServes on the Employee Advisory Board

Staff Therapist/Clinical Case Manager

• Aug 2019 - Mar 2020

HOPWA Case Manager

• Jul 2016 - Aug 2019

Manages a housing program for people living with HIV/AIDSManages a case load of over fifty clients with a variety of case management and mental health needsAssesses clients' mental and physical healthAssists clients in housing searchesAssists clients in accessing appropriate resourcesAdvocates on behalf of clients for housing and medical needsMaintains client files with proper documentation to meet HUD and agency regulationsPerforms home visits when neededPerforms annual home inspections to meet HOPWA requirementsPresents trainings and presentations at various universities and organizations to assist staff, faculty, and students in becoming LGBTQ+ allies to make school and workplace more affirming for the communitySupervises the peer groups at The Montrose Center- training new facilitators and resolving administrative and clinical issues with facilitators to better serve the LGBTQ+ community

Psychiatric Research Coordinator

• Aug 2015 - Mar 2016

Conducted study on depression and intestinal permeability.Conducted literature searches and prepared documents for meta-analyses, literature reviews, and systematic literature reviewsPrepared and updated statistical surveys (Qualtrics).Collected and processed biological samples for analysisPrepared IRB proposals for study approval and protocolConducted psychiatric assessments with participantsRecruited participants for potential samples for currents studiesPrepared, manipulated, and managed extensive databasesProvided assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentationsObtained informed consent of research participants or their guardiansConducted internet-based and library research

Research Assistant

• Nov 2013 - Aug 2015

Member of Coping and Resilience Research Team conducting research focusing on current issues faced by the GLBTQ community, including but not limited to internalized homophobia, coping mechanisms, and sexual risk factors Conducts literature searches and prepares documents for meta-analyses, literature reviews, and systematic literature reviews Recruits participants for potential samples for currents studies Prepares, manipulates, and manages extensive databases Provides assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations Obtains informed consent of research participants or their guardians Conducts internet-based and library research Presents research findings to groups of people

Therapist (Practicum Intern)

• Sep 2014 - May 2015

Therapist intern fulfilling state required hours for LPC licensure in a culturally diverse environment that services the LGBT community. Conducted intakes with clients with a variety of different healthcare needs. Assisted clients in crisis Developed and maintains treatment plans and conducts required mental healthcare assessments to monitor clients’ development and potential needs. Collaborated with treatment team regarding individual and group clients Collected information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods. Documented client information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans. Counseled individuals and groups to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans. Developed therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, and needs. Advised clients on how they could be helped by counseling. Assessed each client individually and make accurate diagnoses per DSM guidelines Consulted with other professionals, agencies, or universities to discuss therapies, treatments, counseling resources or techniques, and to share occupational information. Evaluated the results of counseling methods to determine the reliability and validity of treatments. Facilitates two to three groups per semester: Coming Out support Group, Long Term Survivors of HIV Support Group, Depression and Bipolar Support, Intensive Outpatient Program.

Vast Academy Instructor

• Jan 2010 - Nov 2013

I worked as an adjunct faculty member teaching adults with special needs. I taught subjects that focused on basic reading skills, career exploration, independent living and life skills, and writing. I also taught creative writing and theatre and collaborated with students in producing an end of semester production. I worked as an adjunct faculty member teaching adults with special needs. I taught subjects that focused on basic reading skills, career exploration, independent living and life skills, and writing. I also taught creative writing and theatre and collaborated with students in producing an end of semester production.

Owner

• 2005 - 2010

Client Services Coordinator

• May 2007 - Sep 2009

I set spay and neuter appointments, routed calls to appropriate extensions, resolved payment conflicts, updated medical data in patient charts and all other administrative duties when needed. I set spay and neuter appointments, routed calls to appropriate extensions, resolved payment conflicts, updated medical data in patient charts and all other administrative duties when needed.