CARE Counseling - President & Owner, Private Practice, Naperville, IL December 2024 – Present

Fash Counseling, Private Practice, Bolingbrook, IL

2021 – December 2024

Perform clinical assessment and diagnosis; treatment planning; individual, couple, and family psychotherapy; termination and referral; and consultation.

Coordinator, Motivent Total Health (business closure due to Coronavirus pandemic), Westmont, IL

2019 - 2020 The architect of Connected Families: The Parent-Child-Device Relationship© clinical, developmentally, neuroscientifically-informed curriculum at Motivent Total Health private practice mental health services for youth, families, and educators.

Private Practice Therapist Intern, Motivent Total Health at Thresholds, Westmont, IL

2019 - 2020

Treated clients via eclectic approach to psychotherapy aged 6-70 presenting with a wide range of clinical issues, primarily trauma; all clients were self-pay or insured with private insurance. Group therapist for youth DBT skills group; 6-week therapy groups ranging from 4-6 participants, ages 6-14. Utilized evidence-based and informed practices (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Psychodynamic Therapy, Polyvagal-Informed Interventions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Family Systems, Transactional Analysis, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).

Counseling Intern, Thresholds, Youth & Young Adult Services (YAYAS), Chicago, IL

2020 - 2021

Supported young adults with complex trauma histories to explore their identity and interpersonal relationships, and to face the fundamental tasks required of the transition to adulthood while simultaneously managing their mental health symptoms; youths aging out of DCFS. Support and Coordinate the Youth & Young Adult Services (YAYAS) Advisory Board composed of 10-12 youth across six mental health programs. Supported YAYAS Advisory Board Representatives in developing leadership skills, understanding rights as participants, addressing grievances, and addressing goals for addressing racial injustice and mental health advocacy. Supported intake processes for community mental health programs for young adults with serious mental health challenges and early psychosis experiences.

Research and Innovation Specialist at Thresholds, Youth & Young Adult Services (YAYAS), Chicago, IL

2020 - 2021

Developed a user manual for implementing brainHQ cognitive training practices for populations with severe mental illness. Hosted, implemented, and evidence-based, best practice intervention research studies in partnership with multiple collaborators from national and international universities and academic centers. We work together to develop and implement externally funded research and training programs on behalf of the agency; under the supervision of Dr. Vanessa Vorhies Klodnick and Rebecca Johnson. Engaged in rigorous psychosocial assessment and supported in developing individualized treatment recommendations. Supported the YAYAS Research & Innovation team in operationalizing the cognitive training program using the brainHQ program.

Counselor I, Gateway Foundation Inc., Aurora, IL

2019 - 2020

Prepared and facilitated group and individual counseling sessions and educational programs to assist clients in meeting therapeutic goals. Conducted individual counseling to provide crisis intervention, support, and guidance and addressed client behaviors and personal problems. Documented clients’ progress and responses to treatment coded for private insurance and Medicaid. Maintained client records; ensured records were complete, accurate, and current.

Program Manager, Corporate Education at Strayer University, Rolling Meadows, IL

2018 - 2019

Responsible for building student enrollment YOY and working with Verizon Wireless leadership to support their employees and leaders in enrolling in higher education. Facilitated and coordinated academic orientation and student graduation. Communicated with Verizon leadership on academic program metrics and data. Spoke publicly at hiring and training events ranging from 15 to 70 participants to generate enrollment and awareness of Verizon tuition benefits.

Women’s Program Director, Northbound Treatment Services and CAADAC-Certified Counselor at Northbound Treatment Services, Newport Beach, CA 2010 - 2012

Women-specific, trauma-informed addiction and co-occurring disorders treatment. Supervised other CAADAC case managers and collaborated with treatment approaches of program therapists. Created treatment curriculum, groups, outings, and experiential therapies; supported and encouraged client rights; and supported the maintenance of CARF compliance. Program building, therapeutic intervention implementation, staffing, family contact and sessions, scheduling, collaboration with academic and Christian recovery programs, documentation compliance, and client success, created and successfully implemented an intervention to reduce ACA rates. Logged 7,500 total supervised clinical case management counseling hours overall.

Alumni Program Creator and Manager, Northbound Treatment Services, Newport Beach, CA

2009 - 2012

Created, facilitated, collected, managed, and analyzed qualitative data on current and former clients and prepared reports for Executive Leadership. Conducted intake and exit interviews with all clients in an 80-bed treatment facility. Promoted and fostered effective alumni relations through continuing written communication and personal contact. Evaluated and monitored the effectiveness of programs and services, identified barriers to services, recommended program improvements, and instituted changes.

Legal Representative, Northbound Treatment Services, Newport Beach, CA 2009 - 2010

Counseled alternative sentencing clients. Authored court letters for proof of client compliance with the State of California Probation Department. Accompanied clients in court as a Northbound representative. Collaborated with lawyers and law firms for the successful delivery of services to those seeking addiction treatment. Communicated client progress with the client’s legal team and Orange County Circuit Court.

Admissions Coordinator, Northbound Treatment Services, Newport Beach, CA

2010

Identified barriers to treatment and overcame those barriers to facilitate client admission. Determined appropriate level of care for incoming clients and arranged transportation to and from their location. Coordinated medication management, psych assessments, primary therapist and case management assignments, and psychiatric appointments. Developed, established, and maintained excellent relationships with outside referral sources, organizations, and business associates. Facilitated interdepartmental collaboration for successful admission to the finance department, clinical teams, psychiatric teams, administrative department, medical teams, and operational staff.