Ester Shaginian
Chula Vista
Summary
Passionate and dedicated Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with extensive experience in providing evidence-based treatments to diverse populations. Proficient in conducting thorough assessments, developing tailored treatment plans, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Skilled in delivering individual and group therapy and crisis management and intervention.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
LMFT Therapist /Medical ISUDT
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
01.2024 - Current
- Provided ISUDT assessments and psychotherapeutic interventions through multidisciplinary collaboration that improves relapse proneness.
- Coordinate care and transfer process for the lowest functioning mental health inmates.
- Built strong rapport with patients, fostering trust and open communication for effective therapy sessions.
- Maintained detailed case notes and documentation, ensuring effective tracking of progress and continuity of care across providers.
- Provided ISUDT group therapy sessions to patients 3x per week.
- Coached patients on effective coping strategies, empowering them to manage symptoms independently outside of therapy sessions.
- Provided crisis intervention services, stabilizing clients in distress and connecting them with necessary resources.
LMFT Clinical Therapist
Kaiser Permenente
06.2023 - 12.2023
- Completed assessments and planned customized treatments, applying wide range of resources.
- Delivered quality, comprehensive and well-integrated clinical services in alignment with patient needs.
- Prepared and maintained comprehensive progress reports for review by various parties.
- Planned and organized individual, family and group therapy for patients ranging in ages and issues.
- Compiled detailed client histories using intake forms, interviews and assessments to build complete picture for determining optimal therapeutic approaches.
- Counseled individuals, groups or families to help understand problems, deal with crisis situations and develop realistic action plans.
- Identified indications of mental deficiency, abnormal behavior or maladjustment through direct observation.
- Evaluated patients' goals, as well as mental and practical conditions, to develop individualized courses of treatment.
LMFT Primary Therapist
Cliffside Malibu
04.2022 - 06.2023
- Assessed, diagnosed and created individualized treatment plans based on client strengths and needs.
- Conducted utilization reviews in a timely manner.
- Facilitated communication between the clinical team and various departments within the facility.
- Provided and coordinated a wide range of rehabilitation counseling to individuals with substance abuse issues.
- Provided six group psychotherapy sessions per week for clients with substance use disorders and mental health disorders.
- Provided individual and family counseling and behavioral support services that couple with Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy.
- Collaborated with other mental health professionals to create comprehensive treatment plans.
AMFT Primary Therapist
Malibu Detox
01.2021 - 03.2022
- Provided direct services to clients and manage caseload of 16, including intakes, group counseling, and crisis prevention management.
- Completed required documentation efficiently and on time, including Mental Health Treatment Plans, treatment plan reviews, biopsychosocials, weekly summaries, and discharge documentation.
- Counseled clients using motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral treatment and dialectical behavior strategies and techniques, individually and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes.
- Contributed to weekly treatment team staffing, collaborating with colleagues to ensure strongest team plan for each patient.
- Monitored progress of participates in clinical supervision as well as responding to acute care needs.
- Practiced motivational interviewing as a preferred method of building rapport with clients and providing positive direction as well as other methods such as cognitive-behavioral treatment and dialectical behavior treatment.
- Developed and implemented intensive individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior and other psychosocial issues.
- Guided clients in development of skills and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.
AMFT Therapist
Hillsides FSP
08.2020 - 01.2021
- Completed full assessment and in-depth treatment planning for each client.
- Assisted at risk-youth dealing with personal, emotional, and mental health struggles.
- Provided crisis counseling and intervention over the phone, face-to-face, and in the community as needed.
- Assisted children, adolescents, adults, and families in meeting treatment goals.
- Assessed and referred children, adolescents, adults, and families to external networks such as mental health agencies, family counseling, and other community support services.
- Monitored medications and documented accurate progress
- Worked cooperatively with law enforcement, counseling agencies, and programs within the county.
- Maintain a caseload of 10-14.
- Completed CANS training at this time.
AMFT
Mission Community Hospital Turning Point
08.2019 - 08.2020
- Conducted intake and needs assessments to set therapeutic goals and establish professional relationships with clients.
- Conducted groups, and provided adequate documentation.
- Delivered counseling services to families and couples dealing with familial issues.
- Coordinated rehabilitation, as needed, for patients.
- Participated as a team member in crisis interventions.
- Assessed discharge plans for all assigned patients, including identification of aftercare services, as needed.
MFT Trainee
US VETS
12.2018 - 07.2019
- Provided psychological counseling, behavioral strategies and therapeutic services to veterans with a wide range of mental health disorders.
- Participated in a residential treatment center for veterans with Schizophrenia and OCD.
- Co-led two weekly on-going survivors' groups, with five to ten clients per group while maintaining an individual case load of approximately 9 clients per week.
- Collaborated with social services, referral sources, and other professionals, including case workers and psychiatrist to meet patient needs.
- Prepared customized treatment plans based on client feedback, professional assessment, and consultations with any relevant medical professionals on site and off site.
- Completed weekly progress notes, updated treatment plans and maintained patient records by successfully utilizing practice management software, including TheraNest and TherapyNotes.
- Participated in a nine month collaborative training program on the DSM-5 and treatment modalities.
MFT Trainee
Hope Gardens
03.2018 - 11.2018
- Co-facilitated domestic violence and at-risk youth group which resulted in lower rates of re-offense and increased school performance.
- Hosted group counseling sessions for a variety of topics, including substance abuse, grief and loss, marriage issues, and parenting practices.
- Integrated intercultural communication component into team building activities that resulted in enhancing sensitivity and cohesion among residents.
- Worked with mothers to help them understand the needs and problems of their children and manage their children's behavior in a constructive manner.
- Worked individually with children to provide guidance in a relatable and understandable way.
- Identified situations of child abuse, domestic violence, and elderly abuse, and reported to appropriate authorities.
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA08.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Woodbury University
Burbank, CA05.2012
Skills
- Knowledge of psychiatric disorders, chemical dependency/substance abuse, and basic psycho-pharmacology
- Knowledge of, and ability to apply, a wide range of professional psychological theories and techniques to the full range of patient populations
- Knowledge and experience with PTSD patients, both general trauma as well as military related trauma
- Ability to work closely with an interdisciplinary treatment team
- Outstanding skills to manage difficult cases
- Ability to achieve therapy objectives
Languages
Armenian
Full Professional
Timeline
LMFT Therapist /Medical ISUDT
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
01.2024 - Current
LMFT Clinical Therapist
Kaiser Permenente
06.2023 - 12.2023
LMFT Primary Therapist
Cliffside Malibu
04.2022 - 06.2023
AMFT Primary Therapist
Malibu Detox
01.2021 - 03.2022
AMFT Therapist
Hillsides FSP
08.2020 - 01.2021
AMFT
Mission Community Hospital Turning Point
08.2019 - 08.2020
MFT Trainee
US VETS
12.2018 - 07.2019
MFT Trainee
Hope Gardens
03.2018 - 11.2018
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
Pepperdine University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Woodbury University
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