Implement integrated approaches with modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy, solution focused, attachment based, emotion focused, EMDR, and somatic based interventions to support clients in meeting therapeutic goals.
Provide psychoeducation to clients and social support systems as appropriate and in collaboration with clients.
Provide and support clients in navigating community resources.
Document and maintain confidential and professional progress notes and personal health information.
Collaborate with community resources and systems to ensure continuity of care when required.
Collaborate with private health insurance plans and organizations such as Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs, and Work Safe NB, to provide direct billing and continuity of care for clients.
Clinical Therapist
Nova Scotia Health
03.2023 - 09.2023
Completed assessments and planned customized treatments, applying wide range of resources.
Provided mental health counselling to children, youth, and families facing a variety of biopsychosocial challenges.
Implemented variety of evidence-based counselling methods to achieve therapy goals including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Supported clients and families in navigating community resources.
Maintained client progress notes and personal health information in confidential, timely manner.
Child and Youth Mental Health Social Worker
Horizon Health Network
03.2019 - 04.2023
Facilitated evidence-based therapeutic interventions that focus on positive enhancement of emotional, social, physical and academic livelihood of children and youth.
Provided mental health counselling to children youth and caregiver systems facing a range of biopsychosocial challenges impacting mental health.
Completed biopsychosocial assessments and implemented treatment plans.
Completed assessments of developmental social history.
Participated in client-focused care-planning as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Coordinated services and advocated for clients and families.
Maintained documentation and clinical records.
Collaborated with community partners internal and external to the Integrated Service Delivery Program to develop and deliver treatment plans.
Practicum Student - Eastside Community Mental Health
Wood's Homes
09.2021 - 02.2022
Provided solution focused counselling services to individuals, couples and families, within single session model.
Observed and facilitated counselling sessions as part of interdisciplinary team. Completed total of 500 hours as practicum student with this organization.
Frequently engaged in facilitation of counselling sessions while observed by interdisciplinary team and received feedback in service of skill building and professional growth.
Provided services virtually, via telephone, and in person.
Accurately recorded and maintained client progress notes in a confidential format.
Online ESL Teacher
VIPKID
08.2017 - 08.2019
Taught one-on-one ESL curriculum to students ranging from age 4 to 13 years.
Utilized creative, age appropriate teaching techniques and games to encourage student engagement.
Communicated with students using visual props and engaging online learning platform, webcam and headphones.
Taught ESL curriculum to improve students' conversational abilities.
Documented student attendance and progress against goals.
Family Support Worker
Capital Family Services
06.2018 - 03.2019
Provided mentoring services to children and youth at risk.
Provided respite care for children and youth living with neuro-developmental disorders
Provided supervised access with children and care-givers to ensure physical and emotional safety as aligned with provincial child protection guidelines and individual needs.
Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
Completed home welfare checks to align with provincial Child protection guidelines.
Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records in a timely manner.
ESL Teacher
Jasaeng English Institute
07.2016 - 07.2017
Developed trusting relationships with students to ensure emotionally safe and engaging learning environments.
Administered and graded tests and writing assignments to evaluate student progress.
Assigned lessons and corrected homework.
Created new lesson plans based on course objectives.
Documented student attendance and progress against goals.
Designed and implemented ESL learning curriculum emphasizing vocabulary, pronunciation, writing, and reading comprehension.
Worked with average of 10 students per class.
Taught students ranging from kindergarten to middle school grade level.
Family Support Worker/ Youth Support Worker
Family First Human Services
07.2015 - 06.2016
YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER
Provided individualized care and supervision for neuro-diverse youth in complex care residential setting.
Collaborated with social workers and community resources to develop and implement care plans for youth living with diverse, complex needs.
Supported youth with life skill building and maintenance.
Supported youth with completion of activities that promote emotional, physical and relational wellness.
FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER
Provided mentoring services to children and youth at risk.
Provided respite care for children and youth living with neuro-developmental disorders
Provided supervised access with children and care-givers to ensure physical and emotional safety as aligned with provincial child protection guidelines and individual needs.
Developed rapport to create safe and trusting environment for care.
Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
Completed home welfare checks to align with provincial and child protection guidelines.
Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records in timely manner.
Trauma and Self-Harm: Increase Safety with a New Approach to Cutting, Bingeing, and Addictive Behaviors (Online Course) (2023)
Integrating EMDR into Your Clinical Practice - EMDRIA approved basic protocol EMDR training: Five-Day Intensive (2022)
Complex Trauma Certification Training: A Strength Based Approach for Treating Complex PTSD (Online self-study course) (2022 - 2023)
Dr Sue Johnson’s Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT): Attachment-based Interventions to Treat Trauma, Anxiety and Depression (Digital Seminar) (2022)
Sesma-Vazquez, M, Hopland Guidi, S, & Bryan, D (2022, April) Inviting Social Justice Reflections in Trauma Informed Single Session Therapy Presentation for the American Family Therapy Association (AFTA)Annual Conference (Zoom)
Sesma-Vazquez, M, Hopland Guidi, S, & Bryan, D (2021, November) The heart and spirit of Harlene Anderson’s collaborative therapy and White and Epston’s narrative therapy Guest lecture for the Counseling and School Psychology Program, College of Education and Human Development, University of Massachusetts (Zoom)
Introductory Theraplay & MIM 32 hour training (2022)
Indigenous Canada - University of Alberta, Coursera, Online Course (2021)
Essentials Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training, BECK institute (2020)
Motivational Interviewing Training – Horizon Health Network (2020)
Compassion Fatigue Training - Francois Mathieu, Executive Director, TEND (2019)
Creative Interventions to Engage, Assess and Treat Children, youth and Families - Liana Lowenstein (2019)
Treating Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents Training, Blaustein & Kinniburgh (2019)
Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training (2019)
Mental Health First Aid Training (September 2018)
ASSIST training (February 2018)
Applied Behavioral Analysis training (June 2016) (August 2018)
Timeline
Clinical Therapist
Nova Scotia Health
03.2023 - 09.2023
Mental Health Therapist
Little Cabin Counselling - self-employed
05.2022 - Current
Practicum Student - Eastside Community Mental Health