SHELLIE PRESTON
Haliburton,Canada
Summary
To use out of the box thinking along with professional and life experiences to relate, empathize and connect with others on a deep level coming from a growth mindset lens.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Mental Health Worker
CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
03.2019 - Current
- Coordinated care with primary healthcare providers, ensuring a holistic harm reduction approach to treating needs of clients.
- Carry a caseload of 20 while providing one on one support and group programming for those struggling with mental health and addiction.
- Advocated for the importance of mental health in overall wellness by participating in community initiatives focused on raising awareness and reducing stigma surrounding mental illness.
- Developed rapport with diverse clientele from varying backgrounds, fostering trust and open communication throughout the therapeutic process.
- Increased access to mental health services within the community through outreach efforts. Meeting 80% of clients at their home or in the community.
- Facilitate, coordinate and write programming for the H.O.P.E. Learning Centre while providing educational courses about mental health and well-being that promote recovery, hope, empowerment, possibility, and connection.
Child and Youth Clinical Counsellor
HUMBER RIVER REGIONAL HOSPITAL
01.2009 - Current
- Providing intensive support to meet high risk needs of clients on the Child Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Unit
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for clients with complex needs.
- Observe, collect and record data related to patients interpersonal, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning
- Work with clients to create and implement realistic goals, implement individual supports and modify programming to support individual needs
- Provide in-person clinical counseling, interventions and services for assigned children, youth, and their families.
- Participate in the development and implementation of programs for individual treatment plans to assess behaviors and responding to clients’ needs.
- Assist clients in setting realistic goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress towards achievement.
- Maintained a caseload with accurate documentation of client interactions, assessments, and progress notes for effective case management.
- Implemented behavioral modification strategies to help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Developed individualized counseling plans for clients to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
- Provided crisis intervention services to individuals experiencing acute distress or dangerous situations.
- Developed and implemented personalized treatment plans for improved mental health outcomes.
- Advocated for clients' needs, connecting them with community resources to support their well-being.
- Supported clients in development of healthy coping strategies, leading to improved life management skills.
Mental Health Counsellor
BLISSFUL MINDS THERAPUTIC SERVICES
01.2009 - Current
- My Private Practice has contracts with children through CAS (Children's Aid Society) to provide weekly sessions focused on improving emotional, behavioral and academic issues, community integration, and supervised access visits.
- Have contracts through Bartimaeus as a Private Practitioner and Rehabilitation Support Worker to support those experiencing behavioral, social, emotional and psychiatric difficulties as well as brain injury or other serious trauma.
- Provide private and group programming including but not limited to: behavior modification, social skills, life skills, movement and meditation, therapeutic art and music, role playing, and community integration.
- Provide one on one therapeutic programming and counseling for those with cognitive disabilities by incorporating art, sensory diet, movement, music and connection as a modality for self expression.
- Provide one on one talk therapy in a non traditional environment for those who prefer a less formal approach such as: equine therapy or walk and talk.
- Continually updated professional knowledge by attending conferences, trainings, and workshops related to advancements in the field of mental health counseling.
Child & Youth Counsellor
TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
01.2001 - 09.2019
- Supported the following classrooms in a variety of Section 23/CTCC (Care, Treatment, Custody, Correction) programs where meeting the educational and emotional severe high risk needs of children ranging in age and ability including: Severe Behavioral Issues, Acquired Brain Injury, Developmental Delay, Dual Diagnosis, and individuals who have Physical Limitations
- Development of safety plans and implementing the IEP (Individual Education Plans)
- Trainer for all TDSB staff in Behavior Management Systems Training
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Assessed clients' needs to provide appropriate therapeutic interventions.
- Developed treatment plans to help clients build self-confidence and resilience.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Supervised meetings with family members to help create support system for clients.
- Implemented peer mentorship program, pairing younger adolescents with older mentors for guidance and support.
- Encouraged creative expression among youth through art and music therapy sessions, aiding emotional healing and self-discovery.
- Tailored intervention plans to individual needs, significantly improving behavioral outcomes in challenging cases.
- Managed crises effectively using de-escalation techniques, prioritizing safety while addressing the underlying emotional triggers for each incident.
Deaf Blind Intervenor
DEAF BLIND ONTARIO
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Worked as a Deaf Blind Intervener for clients who are both Deaf and Blind as part of a team, in a group home setting with male adult clients
- Made hourly logs and regularly updated client's charts, administered medication
- Educated local businesses on the importance of creating accessible spaces for individuals with sensory impairments, leading to increased community awareness and engagement efforts.
- Led group activities designed to encourage socialization and peer-to-peer support among clients with similar needs or experiences.
- Developed personalized intervention plans for clients, resulting in improved independence and quality of life.
- Provided clients with alternative ways to communicate in the community
- Advocated for clients within community settings, promoting accessibility and inclusivity across various environments.
- Implemented strategies to promote emotional well-being, reducing anxiety and stress levels among clients.
- Developed strong rapport with each client by tailoring communication methods according to their specific preferences or limitations.
- Provided essential support during medical appointments, ensuring accurate communication between healthcare providers and clients.
- Assisted clients in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
Education
Master of Arts - Art Psychotherapy
Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy
B.C.12-2025
Equivalency - Social Work /Pending Graduation From CiiAT
Ontario College of Social Workers
Toronto, ON12-2025
Graduate Certificate - Compassionate Inquiry - 240 Hr Trauma Therapy Trainning
Dr. Gabor Mate'
Vancouver, BC06-2024
Certificate - Education
TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Toronto, ON01.2017
Child Youth Clinical Counsellor - High Honors
CENTENNIAL COLLEGE BRIDGE PROGRAM
Toronto, ON01.2015
Post-Graduate - Behavioral Intervention - Applied Behavior Analysis
SENECA COLLEGE
Toronto, ON01.2009
Adult Education -
Brock University
St. Catharines, ON05-2004
Advance Diploma - Arts and Science
NIAGARA COLLEGE
Niagara Falls, ON01.2001
Skills
- Client advocacy
- Trauma informed care framework
- Mental health counseling
- Intervention planning
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Therapeutic relationship-building
- Safety and risk assessments
- Facilitating counseling sessions
- Crisis intervention
- Treatment Planning
Affiliations
- Registared Member -Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care
- Private Practice Insurace through - Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care
Fundraising
- Walk for Autism, 3 times Team - Autism - Geneva Center
- Overdose Prevention Awareness - Offered Free Narcan kits and training along safe injection information
- Autism Ontario, held two fundraisers
- Treatment by Design Child and Family Services
- Haliburton Music Exchange - Battle of the Bands
- Walkabout Therapeutic Riding Association
- Humber River Hospital Art Gallery
- Kidz Cafe - Sell coffee and art inpatients make at Humber River Hospital to fund breakfast program for out patients
Timeline
Community Mental Health Worker
CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
03.2019 - Current
Deaf Blind Intervenor
DEAF BLIND ONTARIO
01.2014 - 01.2015
Child and Youth Clinical Counsellor
HUMBER RIVER REGIONAL HOSPITAL
01.2009 - Current
Mental Health Counsellor
BLISSFUL MINDS THERAPUTIC SERVICES
01.2009 - Current
Child & Youth Counsellor
TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
01.2001 - 09.2019
Master of Arts - Art Psychotherapy
Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy
Equivalency - Social Work /Pending Graduation From CiiAT
Ontario College of Social Workers
Graduate Certificate - Compassionate Inquiry - 240 Hr Trauma Therapy Trainning
Dr. Gabor Mate'
Certificate - Education
TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Child Youth Clinical Counsellor - High Honors
CENTENNIAL COLLEGE BRIDGE PROGRAM
Post-Graduate - Behavioral Intervention - Applied Behavior Analysis
SENECA COLLEGE
Adult Education -
Brock University
Advance Diploma - Arts and Science
NIAGARA COLLEGE
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