Maricel Balala
Operations Director/Associate MFT
Morgan Hill,CA
Summary
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) with advanced training in mental health counseling, family systems, and trauma-informed care. Backed by 13+ years of leadership experience in healthcare settings, bringing a deep understanding of patient-centered care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and culturally competent service delivery. Experienced in providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families under clinical supervision, with a focus on resilience, empathy, and ethical practice.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
18
18
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Associate Marriage Family Therapist
Counseling by Dawn and Associates
03.2024 - Current
- Continually developed professional skills by participating in ongoing trainings and staying informed about current research in the field of family therapy.
- Maintained detailed documentation of client progress, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
- Connected clients with community resources such as support groups or additional services when needed.
- Maintained accurate and thoroughly documented notes and client records in accordance with licensing standards.
- Delivered counseling services to families and couples dealing with familial issues.
- Developed individualized treatment plans to address specific needs and goals of clients.
- Mediated conflicts within families to clarify and resolve underlying issues.
- Assisted families in developing healthy boundaries, resulting in stronger relationships among members.
- Provided psychoeducation to clients on mental health conditions, fostering understanding and selfawareness.
- Improved family communication by utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
Operations Director for Specialty Services
Kaiser Permanente
11.2019 - Current
- Directed clinical departments including Neurology, Dermatology, Allergy, and Ophthalmology, ensuring high-quality patient care
- Partnered with mental health teams to integrate behavioral health considerations into specialty care delivery
- Launched patient-centered service initiatives, improving satisfaction scores by 15%
MFT Trainee
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Provided supervised psychotherapy to individuals and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Developed and implemented treatment plans aligned with DSM-5 criteria
- Facilitated intake assessments and documented progress using clinical EHR systems
- Participated in weekly clinical supervision and multidisciplinary team meetings
Service Unit Manager II – Ophthalmology & Cosmetic Surgery
Kaiser Permanente
04.2016 - 11.2019
- Led multidisciplinary clinical teams and supported staff development through training and mentoring
- Initiated regional ophthalmic assistant certification programs, enhancing staff capabilities
- Advocated for patient well-being through procedural improvements and high-touch service delivery
- Collaborated with other departments to identify areas for improvement, leading to more efficient interdepartmental processes.
Clinical Area Manager – Ophthalmology & Optometry
Kaiser Permanente
09.2015 - 04.2016
- Managed operations across 7 clinics and facilitated communication between clinical staff and patient care teams
- Designed and led technician training programs aligned with best practices in patient interaction
Service Unit Manager I
Kaiser Permanente
09.2008 - 09.2015
- Championed improvements to customer satisfaction through compassionate, equitable service models
- Collaborated with clinical leadership on care pathway standardization and workforce development
Education
Master in Counseling - Marriage and Family Therapy (Concentration)
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
Richmond, CA 01.2021 - 01.2023
MBA - Business Administration
University of Phoenix
San Jose, CA 01.2000 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Science in Management - Emphasis in Healthcare Administration
Purdue Global University
San Jose, CA 01.2006 - 01.2009
Skills
- Individual, Couples, and Family Counseling
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Culturally Responsive Counseling
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Case Conceptualization & Treatment Planning
- Clinical Documentation (Progress Notes, Assessments)
- Group Therapy Facilitation
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Child development
Anger management
Empathy development
Psychoeducation delivery
Behavior modification
Adolescent counseling
Grief counseling
Motivational interviewing
Multicultural competence
Boundary setting
Self-care promotion
Family systems theory
Parenting skills training
Emotion regulation
Co-parenting support
Strength-based approach
Divorce mediation
Assessment and diagnosis
Couples counseling
Patient confidentiality
Trauma-informed care
Problem-solving
Certification
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) CA Board of Behavioral Sciences | License #: [Insert License #]
Affiliations
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
- Joint Commission of Allied Health Professionals in Ophthalmology
Timeline
Associate Marriage Family Therapist
Counseling by Dawn and Associates
03.2024 - Current
MFT Trainee
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
01.2021 - 01.2023
Master in Counseling - Marriage and Family Therapy (Concentration)
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
01.2021 - 01.2023
Operations Director for Specialty Services
Kaiser Permanente
11.2019 - Current
Service Unit Manager II – Ophthalmology & Cosmetic Surgery
Kaiser Permanente
04.2016 - 11.2019
Clinical Area Manager – Ophthalmology & Optometry
Kaiser Permanente
09.2015 - 04.2016
Service Unit Manager I
Kaiser Permanente
09.2008 - 09.2015
Bachelor of Science in Management - Emphasis in Healthcare Administration
Purdue Global University
01.2006 - 01.2009
MBA - Business Administration
University of Phoenix
01.2000 - 01.2013
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