The information below illustrates my educational background and experience as a Therapist. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, in 2004. During my time at Seton Hall University I also studied Biology and was a statistical assistant in the Psychology department. My experiences in the Psychology department along with substitute teaching during my time as an undergraduate fueled my passion to pursue a Master’s degree in School Counseling. In 2008, I completed my Master’s Degree in School Counseling in conjunction with obtaining my certification as a Substance Awareness Counselor at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. While at Kean University, from 2005-2008, I worked in the Career Development and Advancement Office as a Career Counselor where I assisted the students of Kean in exploring the possibilities in their majors and finding them jobs once they graduated. I also coordinated and ran presentations on Career Counseling and assisted in the Career Fairs lead by my department. I also served as the President of Chi Sigma Iota, the Counseling Honor Society, where I helped coordinate events and worked closely with faculty and staff on various jobs. Upon graduating with honors from Kean University in 2008, I obtained a job as a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) at Burnet Middle School in Union, NJ. I have been happily working at Burnet ever since. As a School Therapist at Burnet my position encompasses many roles and responsibilities which include but are not limited to:

• Coordinating substance abuse prevention, education, & early intervention services for students
• Conducing intakes, assessments, and proper referrals, if necessary
• Faculty and Staff resource for early identification and intervention strategies for at – risk students
• Providing counseling services to identified students (individual and group)
• Coordinating services to students with appropriate community agencies
• Coordinating with school nurse in regards to students identified who inflict self-harm
• Maintaining meticulous case notes and reports as necessary
• Conducting a number of in school groups: Success Skills, Study Skills, Peer Counseling, Anger Management, Anti-Bully Group, Victims of Bullying, and Grief Counseling Serving as Chairperson of the 504 Committee
• Chairperson of Positive Behavior Support in Schools Initiative (Named Spotlight School of New Jersey 2011 – 2012 School year)
• Coordinates PBSIS team and all duties
• Coordinates the development of lesson plans, schedules, and instructional materials for annual and intermittent instructional events designed to teach behavior expectations
• Coordinates and maintains a school wide recognition system that celebrates students and staff for engaging in behaviors consistent with the school wide behavioral expectations

During the 2010 School Year the Anti-Bully Legislation was passed in New Jersey, and I was shortly thereafter appointed the Anti-Bully Specialist for our building. I am highly qualified and trained to provide therapy to students both individually and in Anti-Bully related groups. I am extremely passionate about helping students overcome the effects of bullying. Currently in my position at Burnet I: chair the School Safety Team, lead all investigations of alleged incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying in the school, act as the primary school official responsible for preventing, identifying, and addressing incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying in the school, execute other duties related to harassment, intimidation, and bullying as requested by the principal and/or the district Anti Bullying Coordinator, identify and intervene with patterns of HIB of students in the school, review and strengthen school climate and the policies of the school in order to prevent and intervene with HIB of students, educate the community, including students, teachers, administrative staff, and parents to prevent and intervene with HIB of students. I also provide intensive counseling for students who have been bullied and students who are also the bully themselves. I enjoy and love helping students overcome these issues with such passion that I decided to attain my LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor Certification: License #37PC00495900 New Jersey) which enables me the ability to provide therapy to adolescents and adults outside of the school.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATION

New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): License Number: 37PC00495900
New Jersey School Counselor Certification
New Jersey Substance Awareness Coordination Certification

Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)  

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

ASAP - NJ
ACA