Clinical Experience

The majority of my work is with youth and families. I approach my clinical work from a blend of the Expanded Family Life Cycle (McGoldrick and Carter's expansion on Bowenian principles) and cognitive-behavioral techniques. My passion is working with clients from diverse backgrounds in integrated care settings.

University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
APA-Accredited Pre-doctoral Clinical Internship, Department of Psychiatry
Psychology Intern
July 2012-Present

Carrie Tingley Rehabilitation Hospital Rotation

Worked with an interdisciplinary team at an inpatient pediatric unit with children ages birth to nineteen (and their families who lived on the unit)
Provided individual and family therapy to patients with various presenting problems, such as traumatic brain injury, encephalitis, transverse myelitis, and pain disorders
Conducted psychological evaluations to track progress (e.g., cognitive gains made from cognitive rehabilitation therapy) and to assess cognitive, behavioral, developmental, and adaptive functioning
Created resources to promote resilience in staff and families on the unit

Programs for Children and Adolescents Outpatient Clinic Rotation

Worked with an interdisciplinary team at an outpatient psychiatric clinic with children ages three to eighteen from highly diverse backgrounds
Provided individual and family therapy to clients with presenting problems ranging from psychosis and major mood /anxiety disorders to externalizing disorders and behavioral health concerns
Conducted psychological evaluations to elucidate clinical diagnoses and psycho-educational concerns
Currently conducting a systems analysis to examine ways to promote integrated care and family-centered approaches
Led telehealth seminar with service care providers throughout the state on the needs of immigrant families
Led assessment seminar and Coping Cat Training with the interdisciplinary team

Children’s Psychiatric Hospital Rotation

Worked with an interdisciplinary team at an inpatient psychiatric children’s hospital with children ages eight to sixteen from a wide range of ethnic and economic backgrounds
Provided individual and family therapy to youth with a wide range of diagnostic categories, including mood disturbances, PTSD, schizophrenic disorders, conduct, developmental, and learning disorders
Conducted psychological evaluations to elucidate clinical diagnoses for use in treatment, stabilization, psychopharmacology, and systems of care planning
Assisted in program development and implementation of evidenced-based treatment components with milieu

Mailman Center for Child Development
Department of Pediatrics, Psychology Division, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Practicum Therapist March 2011-May 2012

Pediatric Medical Coping Rotation

Provided individual and family therapy to children and adolescents coping with a variety of medical conditions, including amputation, diabetes, obesity, and chronic cardiac conditions
Collaborated with families to develop treatment plans for mental health factors associated with medical presentation including depression, anxiety, somatization, family conflict, and disruptive behavior
Provided therapy in settings dependent upon the needs of the client, including ICU and rehabilitation centers
Treatment modalities were largely drawn from evidence-based practices (e.g., trauma-focused CBT, behavioral parenting training, weight management protocols)
Received weekly individual supervision, which included didactic lectures and readings on diabetes, obesity, and amputation

Practicum Therapist January 2011-May 2012
Young Warriors Rotation

Provided in home, parent dyadic therapy to young children who were experiencing challenges (e.g., depression, anxiety, developmental concerns) as a result of a family member’s deployment or readjustment to civilian life
Therapy focused on specific cultural factors associated with military families who have served or are serving in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom
Provided parenting psycho-education to assist parents and provide them with coping strategies in relation to feelings of separation secondary to deployment

Practicum Therapist and Consultant November 2010-May 2012
Debbie School Rotation

Consulted on classroom behavioral management and developmentally appropriate curriculum to foster social, emotional, and cognitive well-being
Worked with students from diverse backgrounds (e.g., deaf and hard of hearing, ethnic minorities, non-traditional households, low socio-economic status)
Provided in-classroom individual therapy with students aged 2 to 4 years old, targeting defiant behaviors and emotional regulation
Collaborated with teachers and parents to ensure continuity and consistency of therapy techniques (e.g., reinforcers, punishment, developmental skill building)
Received weekly group supervision, which included seminars on cochlear implants and behavioral management techniques for children who are deaf or hard of hearing

Practicum Therapist October 2010-May 2012
Behavioral Pediatric Clinic

Provided outpatient individual and family therapy with diverse children and adolescents from the South Florida community
Completed weekly notes from sessions and consulted with parents to evaluate progress towards treatment goals
Presenting problems included behavioral and attention difficulties, family conflict, developmental delays, depression, and anxiety
Treatment modalities were largely drawn from evidence-based practices (e.g., behavioral parenting training, Coping Cat)
Participated in weekly clinical case conferences and monthly didactic trainings
Received weekly individual supervision which included instruction on family therapy techniques and systems level interventions

Practicum Therapist September 2010-March 2011
Psychological Assessment Services

Developed rapport with families during clinical interview then administered, scored, and interpreted psycho-educational full battery for children and adolescents
Prepared comprehensive reports and provided feedback to families
Presenting concerns included behavioral difficulties, decline in academic performance, problems with emotional regulation, and developmental disabilities
Received weekly individual and group supervision, including training on a variety of different assessment tools

Immigrant Children Affirmative Network-2
Miami, Florida
Group Facilitator February 2011-June 2012

Conducted weekly positive youth development groups with primarily low-income, second generation Latino, African American, and Caribbean American youth
Adapted activities to fit the needs of the middle school student by learning about students, asking them for feedback, and creatively altering preexisting activities
Collaborated with three other facilitators to manage challenging classroom behavior, reward positive behavior, actively engage youth and create a fun atmosphere
Created positive reinforcement strategies to improve group participation and increase youth self-esteem
Facilitated conversations regarding culture, family, school, goals for future, and hopes by respecting student voices, asking open ended questions and encouraging sharing and critical thinking

Supervisor February 2011-June 2012

Co-developed an intensive training series for community co-facilitators of positive youth development groups, including an overview of common mental health issues, developmental trajectories, and core components of resilience promotion
Provided bi-monthly supervision, focusing on strategies to develop therapeutic relationships, fidelity to the ICAN-2 manual, and professional development
Helped to organize structured quarterly group process sessions for group facilitators

Group Facilitator September 2009-February 2011

Conducted weekly positive youth development and process groups in Spanish with detained unaccompanied immigrant youth (primarily from Central America and the Caribbean)
Collaborated with co-facilitators to create meaningful activities to engage youth
Facilitated discussions of culture, plans for future and social relationships to support youth’s development while in the detention center
Advocated for youth within the shelter system through discussions with shelter staff
Presented information about the shelter systems as part of team to community members in order to raise awareness of the immigration process for unaccompanied youth

Institute for Individual and Family Health
Miami, Florida
Staff Therapist, Practicum Student January-August 2010

Conducted intake assessments with individuals and families to explore mental health issues, contextual factors impacting mental health, and family systems dynamics
Provided individual and family therapy, parent training, and child behavioral management with diverse children, adolescents, and adults from South Florida
Presenting problems included behavioral difficulties, family conflict, depression, anxiety, bereavement, emotion regulation, and developmental delays
Attended weekly individual and group supervision meetings to conceptualize cases, review videotaped sessions, and present ethical concerns and decision making models
Received and provided feedback with other graduate students based on videotaped sessions by conceptualizing from different theoretical orientations and reflecting on areas of competency

Take2 Summer Camp
Washington, DC
Therapist June-August 2008

Helped to develop and implement evidence-based curriculum for 12 children aged 7 to 10 who had Asperger’s Syndrome or High Functioning Autism
Employed current research on reciprocal interaction, self-control, modeling, social skills interventions, and behavioral reinforcement
Used ABA techniques to create a contingency management plans
Led progressive relaxation sessions and developed social stories; met with parents to instruct them on these modalities to promote generalization of skills
Managed confidential information and coded videos for program evaluation research examining the intervention’s effectiveness

Middleway House
Bloomington, Indiana
Crisis Line and Shelter Volunteer January-August 2007

First line respondent to calls concerning inter-partner violence
Offered crisis counseling, informational, and emotional support to individuals calling the crisis line and women housed in the shelter
Collaborated with consumers to creatively form safety plans that fit their needs
Collected data from the shelter and planned a program evaluation of the shelter’s support group effectiveness

Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Bloomington, Indiana
Volunteer Advocate September 2006-August 2007

Partnered with an individual with a severe development delay and mental illness to help integrate her into the community
Tailored a plan for therapeutic activities and outings that would help her gain necessary skills for living within the community and provided a support system for her within the community network

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of South-Central Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Mentor September 2006-August 2007

Provided guidance and support for underprivileged youth by engaging with them in a variety of creative and culturally meaningful activities
Attended programs with youth to help them strengthen their sense of self, provided support and guidance concerning current and future goals

Hospital of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Charles
Prague, The Czech Republic
Mental Health Volunteer January-May 2005

Aided nurses in Prague, Czech Republic in addressing a host of psychological concerns for patients suffering from substance abuse
Assisted in case management and transitioning patients back into society, within a framework incorporating sensitivity to political and socio-cultural factors