Arica Hodgins
London,ON
Summary
Attentive Child and Youth Counsellor providing multiple years of experience through mental health and behavioural support to adolescents. Positive and goal-oriented attitude focused on supporting development and teaching new skills. Adaptable and flexible in many given situations and can remain organized, calm and communicative in stressful or pressuring circumstances. Consistently seeking feedback and looking for opportunities to learn and develop more skills in the presented workplace.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Child and Youth Counsellor
London Health Science Centre
11.2021 - Current
- Full-Time Child and Youth Counsellor on the adolescent psychiatric unit at LHSC
- Experience on working with clients on; Acute Care Unit, Tertiary Care Unit & Emergency Department
- Gaining valuable skills in DBT while learning about the different mental health disorders in the DSM5
- Confident in the ability to complete safety plans and work with youth who are in crisis
- Provided ongoing support for clients experiencing difficulties with peer relationships, self-esteem, and emotional regulation.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive support for clients and their families.
- Established therapeutic rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds, fostering trust and open communication essential for effective counseling.
- Assisted clients in developing healthy coping strategies to manage stressors related to school, family dynamics, and personal challenges.
- Provided crisis intervention services to deescalate high-stress situations, ensuring the safety of all involved parties.
Residential Counsellor - Belton House
Humana Community Services (Formally WAYS)
01.2018 - 12.2021
- Full Time Residential Counsellor at a co-ed group home for adolescents
- Provide mental health and behavioral support to youth and families
- Developed evolving plans for youth and families reintegration or further housing/treatment plans
- Verbal and written communication to residents, families, team and community services
- Planning recreational, therapeutic and life skills groups for cliental
- Crisis and behavioral management
- Schedules and routines with various ages, developmental levels and diagnosis.
- Maintained safe and supportive residential environments for at-risk individuals, contributing to their overall wellbeing.
- Developed strong rapport with residents through empathetic listening and compassionate communication strategies.
Residential Counselor - Hardy Geddes House
Humana Community Services (formally WAYS)
04.2018 - 11.2021
- Residential Counsellor at an all males group home for adolescents
- Promoted independent living skills through coaching residents in daily tasks such as meal preparation, hygiene, and budgeting.
- Provide mental health and behavioral support to youth and families
- Developed evolving plans for youth and families reintegration or further housing/treatment plans
- Verbal and written communication to residents, families, team and community services
- Planning recreational, therapeutic and life skills groups for cliental
- Crisis and behavioral management
- Schedules and routines with various ages, developmental levels and diagnosis.
- Maintained safe and supportive residential environments for at-risk individuals, contributing to their overall wellbeing.
- Developed strong rapport with residents through empathetic listening and compassionate communication strategies.
Residential Counsellor - Notre Dame House
Humana Community Services (Formally Anago Independent-Living)
01.2019 - 09.2019
- Full Time Residential Counsellor at a transitional home for males
- Programming on life skills related to full independence
- Creating positive approach programming for young adults
- Developing planning for future assessments, plans and goals for young adults
- Provide support through transitions
- Provide mental health and behavioural supports
- Worked with clients of various developmental stages.
Child Care Provider
Self-employeed
- Developed strong relationships with families, providing regular updates on child progress and establishing trust.
- Provide ongoing support to children and families - ages 6mths and up
- Plan and manage daily activities based on developmental stages
- Nurture and support positive developmental growth and engagement
- Prepare nutritious meals for children ensuring to meet dietary needs.
- Facilitated learning through play, stories and outdoor activities for successful child outcomes.
- Administered first aid when needed, adhering to established protocols to ensure child safety and wellbeing.
Sales Associate
Carters Osh Kosh
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Sales associate in a child based retail store
- Open and engageable support to customers in a store setting
- Utilize skills such as teamwork, communication, engageable, efficient and welcoming.
Educational Assistant - School Placement
Knowllwood Public School
01.2017 - 04.2017
- Planned and organized activities to facilitate in the various classrooms
- Researched and developed materials for a social skills group targeting self regulation that was facilitated with coworkers
- One on One supports to students with high needs, providing additional support through daily routines and work along with goal setting
- Assist guidance counsellor is mental health support groups
- Collaborated with the staff while seeking feedback to develop personal skills and CYC related skills
- Met with mentors weekly and learned the importance of debriefing.
- Provided support to help students with special needs learn and grow.
- Developed strong rapport with students, fostering trust and mutual respect to create a positive classroom atmosphere conducive to learning.
- Encouraged social-emotional growth among students by modeling appropriate behavior and guiding conversations around self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decisionmaking.
Student Residential Counselor - Belton House
Humana Community Services (Formally WAYS)
01.2018 - 04.2018
- Reduced behavioral incidents by employing de-escalation techniques and maintaining a calm environment.
- Maintained safe and supportive residential environments for at-risk individuals, contributing to their overall wellbeing.
- Promoted independent living skills through coaching residents in daily tasks such as meal preparation, hygiene, and budgeting.
- Developed strong rapport with residents through empathetic listening and compassionate communication strategies.
- Managed crisis situations effectively, ensuring the safety of all residents while adhering to established protocols.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to develop comprehensive treatment plans, improving residents'' progress.
Education
Advanced Diploma - Child And Youth Care
Fanshawe College
London, ON04.2019
Skills
- Patience and Empathy
- Observation and Assessment
- Social and Emotional Development
- Documentation And Reporting
- Communication within Multi disciplinary team
- Critical and Logical Thinking
Certification
- Mental Health First Aid
- Advanced Non-Violence Crisis Intervention
- Austism Spectrum Disorder Mental Health
- CPR Training
- Valid G Drivers License
- Suicide Interventions and Preventions Training
- Crisis Intervention Training
- Medication Training from London Family Court Clinic
References
available upon request.
Timeline
Child and Youth Counsellor
London Health Science Centre
11.2021 - Current
Residential Counsellor - Notre Dame House
Humana Community Services (Formally Anago Independent-Living)
01.2019 - 09.2019
Residential Counselor - Hardy Geddes House
Humana Community Services (formally WAYS)
04.2018 - 11.2021
Student Residential Counselor - Belton House
Humana Community Services (Formally WAYS)
01.2018 - 04.2018
Residential Counsellor - Belton House
Humana Community Services (Formally WAYS)
01.2018 - 12.2021
Sales Associate
Carters Osh Kosh
01.2017 - 01.2019
Educational Assistant - School Placement
Knowllwood Public School
01.2017 - 04.2017
Child Care Provider
Self-employeed
Advanced Diploma - Child And Youth Care
Fanshawe College
- Mental Health First Aid
- Advanced Non-Violence Crisis Intervention
- Austism Spectrum Disorder Mental Health
- CPR Training
- Valid G Drivers License
- Suicide Interventions and Preventions Training
- Crisis Intervention Training
- Medication Training from London Family Court Clinic
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