Oforah Tochukwu
Ottawa,Ontario
Summary
Dedicated school counselor with a strong foundation in assessing student needs and implementing targeted intervention strategies to promote emotional and academic growth. Proven expertise in collaborating with educators and parents, leveraging crisis intervention and counseling skills to support diverse student populations effectively. Committed to cultural humility, ethical practices, and fostering trusting relationships within the educational community. Actively seeking opportunities to enhance Ottawa's community through initiatives in schools or mental health services, with a focus on community development, client advocacy, and knowledge sharing.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Counsellor
School Counsellor
Anambra, Nigeria
01.2020 - Current
- Provided individual and group counselling to 300+ clients annually, addressing emotional, behavioral, academic, and psycho-social needs.
- Utilized trauma informed and strengths based approaches to support diverse student populations.
- Conducted psycho-social assessments and collaborated with educators to develop personalized support plans.
- Supported students experiencing family conflict, adjustment challenges, and academic distress.
- Responded to crisis situations using deescalation techniques and coordinated referral pathways while ensuring compliance with emergency procedures.
- Facilitated mental health workshops focused on emotional regulation, resilience, and personal development.
- Advocated for students in accessing community services and practical supports, including employment contracts and contract training.
- Maintained confidential case documentation in alignment with ethical and professional standards, including adherence to the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics.
- Key Achievements:
- Improved emotional and academic outcomes for high needs students through targeted intervention.
- Delivered workshops attended by 200+ participants, increasing emotional resilience, including topics related to harm reduction strategies.
- Successfully carried out 50+ crisis interventions with safe outcomes and appropriate referrals, including utilizing an Automated External Defibrillator when necessary.
- Conducted regular background checks for community safety protocols.
Volunteer Counsellor
Youth & Community Center
Nigeria
01.2021 - 01.2026
- Developed and implemented community programs aimed at mentoring youth and young adults in community development initiatives.
- Organized and conducted group workshops on coping mechanisms and conflict resolution techniques, fostering a supportive environment during Halloween festivities.
- Developed and implemented initiatives to create welcoming spaces for youth while coordinating impactful community events.
- Implemented and monitored anti-bullying initiatives and youth development programs, maintaining detailed records of progress through office software.
- Achieved successful project delivery by managing team dynamics and addressing challenges proactively. Enhanced project workflows, resulting in improved efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction. Cultivated strong relationships with team members to facilitate effective communication and collaboration.
- Developed and executed inclusive mentorship programs and outreach campaigns, significantly boosting community participation by 50%.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Educational Counsellor
University of Lagos
Akoka, Nigeria
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Conducted behavioral assessments and supported case documentation.
- Facilitated counselling workshops and student orientation programs.
- Collaborated with academic and counselling teams to provide integrated student support services, contributing to improved learning outcomes.
- Incorporated business intelligence techniques to improve service delivery based on budgeting and resource allocation.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Education (Guidance & Counselling)
University of Lagos
Lagos, Nigeria12.2016
Skills
- Individual, family & group counselling
- Trauma-informed care
- Behavioral evaluation
- Crisis intervention strategies
- Case management
- Client advocacy
- Collaborative project engagement
- Facilitation of educational workshops
- Mentoring youth in community initiatives
- Cultural awareness
- Emergency response skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Word
- Advanced Excel proficiency
- Presentation design
- Proficient in Google Workspace
- Proficient in LMS platforms
- Client information tracking
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Proficient in Microsoft Teams
- Collaborative Problem-solving
Languages
English
Full Professional
Certification
Counselling Association Of Nigeria (CASSON)
Timeline
Volunteer Counsellor
Youth & Community Center
01.2021 - 01.2026
School Counsellor
School Counsellor
01.2020 - Current
Educational Counsellor
University of Lagos
01.2016 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Education (Guidance & Counselling)
University of Lagos