​EDUCATION:

 

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (CSPP)

ALLIANT INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Fresno, CA

       Psy.D. Completed August 2004

       M.A. in Psychology Completed June 2001

       Areas of Specialization: Cross Cultural Psychology & Health Psychology

 

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF ORGANIZATIONAL STUDIES (CSOS)

ALLIANT INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Fresno, CA

       M.A. in Organizational Behavior Completed June 2003

 

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, New Brunswick, NJ

       B.A.  Graduated May 1998

       Major:  Psychology   Minor:  Puerto Rican Studies

       Deans List: Last four semesters

       Member of:  Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society

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OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE:

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THE WELLNESS COOPERATIVE

Rahway, NJ   July 2016-Present

 

Founder & Recovery/Life Coach – Provides recovery and life services for individuals who are looking to establish a meaningful life, with the use of a biopsychosocial assessment to determine strengths and deficits in daily functioning and to create an individualized plan for clients to meet their personal, professional, and relational aspirations.  Working collaboratively with other traditional and alternative medicine providers as well as community based organizations to assist in creating a blueprint for meeting goals.

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MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY

Montclair, NJ   2007-Present

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Staff Psychologist/Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Programs- Administer alcohol and drug education programs, provide outpatient psychotherapy for university students, provide community outreach, and apply for and administer grants grant relating to substance use/recovery in the college population. Coordinate and provide psycho-education, and other outreach programs including working cooperatively with Wellness Education, University Health Center, Disability Resource Center, Residential Education, Dean of Students Office, Student Conduct, and Athletics.  Psychotherapy interventions included individual, cross-cultural counseling, health education, triage, crisis management, treatment planning and supervision of doctoral level practicum students.  

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BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE

Bloomfield, NJ   2006-2007

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Adjunct Faculty-Developmental Psychology, General Psychology

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​PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY SCREENING SERVICE of SOMERSET COUNTY

Somerville, NJ 2006

 

Crisis Counselor/Screener- Provided emergency psychiatric care for the residents of Somerset County.  Screens clients for hospitalization (voluntary and involuntary), responds to crisis calls, and provides community outreach and intervention.  Coordinated emergency patient care with local hospitals, community agencies, family members, and insurance companies.

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​EARTH HOUSE

East Millstone, NJ  2005-2006

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Interim Program Administrator- Consulted with management staff of an integrated medicine rehabilitation program for people with mental health disabilities.  Responsibilities included consultation on hiring practices, staff training, program development, and organizational restructuring.

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GEORGIAN COURT UNIVERSITY

Lakewood, NJ Spring/Fall 2006

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Adjunct Faculty-Abnormal Psychology

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TEMPLE UNIVERSITY-TUTTLEMAN COUNSELING SERVICES

 Philadelphia, PA August 2004-November 2005

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Staff Psychologist & Educational Coordinator of the Campus Alcohol Substance Awareness (CASA) Program- Administered mandated alcohol and drug education programs, provided outpatient psychotherapy university students, and applied for and administered grant relating to substance use in the college population. Coordinated and provided psycho-education, supervised peer educators, and administered social norms marketing campaign.  Outreach included working cooperatively with Residence Life, University Disciplinary Committee, and Athletics.  Psychotherapy interventions included individual, cross-cultural counseling, health education, triage, crisis management, treatment planning and supervision of doctoral level practicum students.  

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STUDENTS TARGETED WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PREVENTION (S.T.O.P.), Fresno, CA August 2002- June 2003

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Clinician- Provided long term group, family and individual psychotherapy interventions to at-risk adolescents.  Responsibilities included peer supervision, case management, weekly treatment planning meeting, contact with probation officer, family based interventions, and referral for adjunct services as necessary.  Interventions such as play therapy, art therapy, health education, and conflict management were commonly utilized.   S.T.O.P. is a grant-funded prevention based program sponsored by the California Juvenile Justice system. 

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CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (CSPP)

Fresno, CA   September 2002-June 2003

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Teaching Assistant- Socio-Cultural Bases of Behavior for the Forensic Psychology Program.  Responsibilities included teaching classes, facilitated group discussions, grading papers, coordinating presentations and assisting students.

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BRADLEY SCHYLER Ph.D. & ASSOCIATES

Fresno, CA August 2002-January 2003

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Testing Assistant- Tested children and adults to aid in the process of diagnosing and managing medication for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  Tests administered include Integrated Visual & Auditory Continuous Performance Test and Test of Variables of Attention: supplemental accounts of behavioral observations were provided with results.

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OPTIMA THERAPIES  

Sacramento, CA  June 2000-August 2002

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Speech Therapy Aid- Worked with adults with developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, and other neuropsychological disabilities in home and day treatment settings with a focus on receptive and expressive language, cognition, and communication skills.  The focus of therapeutic interventions addressed augmentative and facilitative techniques.  These techniques include picture-pointing, gestures, sign language, language development, and staff training.

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CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (CSPP)

Fresno, CA   September 2000-December 2001

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Teaching Assistant- Socio-Cultural Foundations of Clinical Practice.  Responsibilities included teaching classes, coordinating study groups, facilitating review sessions, grading test, and assisting students.

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EARTH HOUSE

East Millstone, NJ January 1999-July 1999

  

Counselor- Worked in an integrated healthcare setting (allopathic and homeopathic medicine) in a residential facility for people with mental health disabilities.  Responsibilities included individual supervision, monitoring patient’s self-medication, and coordinating patients’ extracurricular activities. 

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UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY ASSOCIATION of NEW JERSEY (UCPA)

Metuchen, NJ  1996-1999

    

Area Supervisor- Assisted Employment Consultants with job seeking strategies oversaw case management, coordinated office activities, as well as trained new consultants.  Introduced an internship program (in conjunction with Rutgers University) for Exercise Physiology students and working with Supervisors and Technical Assistants in creating training modules.

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Employment Consultant- Worked with adults with various disabilities       (developmental, mental, physical, and cognitive) to attain gainful employment within the community.  Responsibilities included marketing, career planning, assessment and intake of new clients, development of supports, financial management, community education, counseling and advocacy as well as managing relationships with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Department of Developmental Disabilities.

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EPILEPSY FOUNDATION of NEW JERSEY

Edison, NJ   1995-1997

     

Employment Specialist- Worked with adults with developmental disabilities in order to help them attain gainful employment.  Responsibilities included marketing, assessment and intake of new clients, development of follow along supports, advocacy, community education, and counseling.

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Respite Provider- Worked with a child with developmental disabilities providing support to both the child and family.  Responsibilities included therapeutic recreation, socialization, and daily living skills training.

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SUPERVISED CLINICAL TRAINING:

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TEMPLE UNIVERSITY-TUTTLEMAN COUNSELING SERVICES

       Philadelphia, PA August 2003-August 2004

 

Psychology Intern- Provided individual and group psychotherapy for undergraduate, graduate and professional students in a diverse urban university environment.  Psychotherapy interventions included individual and group therapy, cross-cultural counseling, health education, psychological testing, triage, crisis management, and treatment planning with an interdisciplinary team.  Responsibilities in the drug and alcohol unit included counseling, mandated therapy, psycho-education, creation of educational website, assisted peer educators in planning and facilitating workshops and non-alcoholic programming, introduced new strategies for social norms campaign.  Co-founded & led Drug & Alcohol Process Group. 

 

​CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-FRESNO

 Fresno, CA August 2001-June 2002

   

Psychology Trainee- Provided short-term psychotherapy interventions to college students within a health center environment.  Psychotherapy interventions included cross-cultural, health, individual, and psycho-education.  Training included case conceptualization, Ego psychology seminar as well as group and individual supervision. 

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SAN JOAQUIN PSYCHOTHERAPY CENTER

Fresno, CA   June 2000-June 2001

      

Psychology Trainee- Provided dynamic psychotherapy to diverse patient populations.  Responsibilities included individual, group, couples, play therapy, and intellectual assessments.  Group therapy interventions included art and recreation therapy, as well as a process oriented groups.  Training included individual and group supervision as well as seminars on projective assessments and art therapy.

 

​KAISER PERMANENTE

Fresno, CA   January 2000-November 2000

     

Psychology Trainee in Behavioral Medicine- Worked with medical staff and other health care professionals to address physiological/mental health issues.  Provided short-term, goal directed interventions for diverse populations within an integrated medical/mental health setting.  Inventions included individual, couple, group, psycho-educational programming and telephone consultation.  Led groups on Holistic Health, Relaxation, Stress Management, Healthy Living, Cardiac Rehabilitation, and Senior Citizen support group.  Other responsibilities included recording progress notes, patient referrals, and promotion of health related psycho-educational programming.  Co-founded Cardiac Care Support Group.

 

​COMMUNITY & ACADEMIC SERVICE:

 

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NATIONAL YOUTH RECOVERY FOUNATION-  BOARD MEMBER

Montclair, NJ 2017

Served with a diverse group of professionals to create, and promote a program for youth in recovery.  ASPIRE is a three month pilot program with 9 months of  follow-up that serves to provide the supports and necessary for young people to establish long-term recovery.

 

RAHWAY PREVENTION COALITION (RPC)-  MEMBER

Rahway, NJ 2016-Present

Served with a multi-disciplinary group of professionals/members of the community to coordinate alcohol and drug abuse prevention and related activities, as well as implement interventions and supports based on a biennial needs assessment.

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NEW JERSEY HIGHER EDUCATION CONSORTIUM-  CHAIR

New Brunswick, NJ 2013

Worked with university faculty, staff, administrators, as well as community organizations from across the state of New Jersey to discuss prevention strategies and programmatic initiatives with the goal of reducing the occurrence of high risk drinking and drug use and abuse.

 

​ADVISORY COMMITTEE on ALCOHOL and OTHER DRUGS-  CO-CHAIR

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY,

Montclair, NJ  2007-Present

 

Worked with students, faculty, staff, administrators, local police departments, and community organizations to develop recommendations and programmatic initiatives with the goal of reducing the occurrence of high risk drinking, provide education to at-risk students, developing resources for students in recovery, and providing cutting edge alternative programming.

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PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL-  MENTOR

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY,

Philadelphia, PA  Spring 2005

 

Served as an advisor to sororities and their graduate extern advisor to promote Greek community service events, forge relationships with other student groups on campus, establish a positive relationship with university administration, and plan events to support the growth of the women involved in involved in the Pan-Hellenic Council.

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CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE-  COMMITTEE MEMBER

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY,

Philadelphia, PA Spring 2005

 

Worked with administration, faculty, staff, and student members to coordinate projects that promote civic responsibility on campus and within the local community.  Activities included planning and attending Symposium 2005-Civility on Campus, Sonia Sanchez Garden project, and fund raising for the Project Mexico Service Learning Project.

 

ALOCOHOL TASK FORCE-  CHAIR of EDUCATION/PREVENTION COMMITTEE

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY,

Philadelphia, PA  2004-2005 Academic Year

 

Worked with students, faculty, staff, and administrators to develop recommendations for reducing the occurrence of binge drinking, provide education to at-risk students, and provide cutting edge programming alternatives to drinking to the President of Temple University.

 

HEALTH & WELLNESS COMMITTEE-  COMMITTEE MEMBER

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY,

Philadelphia, PA  2004-2005 Academic Year

 

Helped coordinate a healthy living campaign for employees in the Division of Student Affairs (DOSA).  Activities included launching “America on the Move” program, sponsoring a blood drive, hosting a wellness fair, and distributed incentives (gifts) to support DOSA staff in maintaining changes in their healthy living routine. 

 

COLLEGE TOBACCO PILOT PROJECT-  COMMITTEE MEMBER

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY,

Philadelphia, PA  2004-2005 Academic Year

 

Assisted in the creation and recommendation of new tobacco policy for Temple University, that is in accordance with American College Health Association (ACHA) recommendations.

 

AD HOC REVIEWER for PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL

PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 

CALIFORNIA  SCHOOL  of PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Fresno, CA  January 2000-June 2001

 

Tasks included reading and reviewing articles submitted for publication, providing feedback to the authors, critically analyzing the relevance of manuscript for Professional Psychology and evaluating quality of research submitted as well as making recommendations for publication or rejection of submitted works.

 

MULTI-CULTURAL TASK FORCE (MCTF)-  FOUNDER & MEMBER

CALIFORNIA  SCHOOL  of PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Fresno, CA  November 2000-May 2002

 

The MCTF served the campus community by creating an outlet for issues of diversity and multi- culturalism to be addressed on both an organizational and community level.  Activities coordinated by the MCTF included a monthly movie night, discussion groups, potluck dinners, speakers on different issues related to diversity, and multi-cultural mural contest.

 

COORDINATOR FOR RORSCHACH WORKSHOP

CALIFORNIA  SCHOOL  of PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Fresno, CA  July, 2001 & 2003

 

NEW VARIABLES- NEW NORMS: An Update of the Comprehensive System with Thomas Shaffer, Ph.D. ABPP Fresno, CA,  

Coordinated location, time, date, marketing, fee collection, overheads, and refreshment for training.

 

CSPP STUDENT SENATE

CALIFORNIA  SCHOOL  of PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Fresno, CA   September 1999-June 2003

 

Served CSPP Fresno community as a student senator in the following positions

 

Professional Liaison-This position entailed contacting professional organizations for membership materials and event schedules and to promote student membership within these organizations.  September 1999-May 2000

 

Senate Co-chair-Co-chairs facilitated bimonthly meetings, attend all-senate meetings, interacted with other CSPP campus co-chairs, as well as faculty to promote increased communication within the CSPP community as well as the community at large. June 2000- May 2001

 

 

Board of Trustees Representative- This position required becoming a member of the Board of Trustees, representing student interests on the Fresno campus, as well as the student body as a whole.  Membership required working with other members of the board to determine academic, community, and economic needs of Alliant International University and communicating the happenings of the university to the student population.  May 2001-June 2003

 

 

WORKSHOPS, OUTREACH, & PRESENTATIONS:

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NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

Recovery Beyond Treatment presentation for the City of Rahway    September 2017

 

MIND/BODY INTERVENTIONS: USING YOGA, MEDITATION, AND PSYCHOEDUCATION TO ADDRESS EATING AND BODY IMAGE CONCERNS ON CAMPUS

            Mid-Atlantic College Health Association Annual Conference October 2015

          

ALCOHOL & MARIJUANA AWARENESS SCREENING DAY

            Screening  2007-Present

 

ANXIETY & DEPRESSION SCREENING

Table event and Screening  2007-Present

 

MANAGING STRESS DURING A PERIOD OF ORGANIZATION CHANGE

Presentation for Student Development & Campus Life Conference March 2007

           

LOVE YOUR BODY Week: Eating disorder awareness

Table event and Screening February 2005

 

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE & DEPRESSION: The effect of co-morbid disorders, completion & duration of treatment on level of depression.

Presentation for didactic graduate student training seminar May 2004

 

FINDING BALANCE: School, Stress, & Sisterhood 

Presentation for sorority members April 2004

ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE LATINO COMMUNITY

Presentation February 2001

 

LATIN AMERICAN IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT: The interplay between race and culture

Presentation November 2001

 

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT: The importance of treatment teams and community resources

Presentation April 1999

 

 

RESEARCH:

 

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE & DEPRESSION: The effect of co-morbid disorders, completion & duration of treatment on level of depression.

            Psy.D. Doctoral Dissertation Completed April  29, 2003

 

LEADERSHIP FRAME INVENTORY: Understanding preference of leadership styles.

            Research in Progress, August 2002-Present

 

HEALTH DYNAMIC INVENTORY

Data collection to norm instrument, Summer 2000

 

BENTON FACIAL RECOGNITION TEST        

Data collection to norm instrument, Spring 2002

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CERTIFICATES, WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS & CE COURSES:

 

STUDENTS IN ADDICTION RECOVERY: COUNSELING AND MENTORING FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS

            Lincroft, NJ   February 2017

 

RISK AND TRAJECTORY: LOOKING AT ADDICTION

            Webinar  February 2017

 

SYNTHETIC DRUG THREATS IN THE UNITED STATES: 2017 UPDATE

            Webinar  February 2017

THE SECRET LIVES OF OTHER ADDICTIONS: ADDICTION INTERACTION DISORDER

            Webinar  December 2016

 

MARIJUANA: DON’T GET STUCK IN THE WEEDS

            Webinar  September 2016

 

NEW JERSEY PREVENTION NETWORK CONFERENCE

            Atlantic City, NJ  April 2016

 

MARIJUANA SUMMIT

            Atlantic City, NJ  April 2016

 

BODY POSITIVE YOGA: TEACHING YOGA FOR ALL BODIES

            Washington, D.C.  February 2016

 

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY SAFE SPACE TRAINING

            Montclair, January 2016

 

MID-ATLANTIC COLLEGE HEALTH ASSOCIATION CONFEREBCE

            Atlantic City, NJ  October 2015

 

NEW JERSEY PREVENTION NETWORK CONFERENCE

            Atlantic City, NJ  April 2015

 

EAT, BREATHE, THRIVE FACILITATOR TRAINING

            New Caanan, CT October 2014

 

DSM 5 UPDATES

            Webinar,  May 2014

 

NEW JERSEY PREVENTION NETWORK CONFERENCE

            Atlantic City, NJ  March 2014

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MAKING CHANGES ON CAMPUS and in COMMUNITIES: Reducing Underage and Dangerous Drinking

            West Windsor, NJ April 26, 2011

 

NEW YORK METRO-AREA COLLEGE COUNSELING CONFERENCE

            New York, NY    January 7, 2009

 

BRIEF ALCOHOL SCREENING and INTERVENTION for COLLEGE STUDENTS (BASICS)

            Montclair, NJ July 7-8, 2008

 

RESPONSIBLE RECOVERY CONFERENCE

            Monroe, NJ   May 24, 2007

 

COLLEGE SOCIAL NORMS CONFERENCE-New Jersey Alcohol Beverage Control

            Montclair, NJ April 17, 2007

 

COLUMBIA WINTER ROUNDTABLE CONFERENCE

            New York, NY  February 16-17, 2007

 

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY ANNUAL DIVERSITY CONFERENCE

            New Brunswick, NJ 2005-2008

 

 

BRIEF ALCOHOL SCREENING and INTERVENTION for COLLEGE STUDENTS (BASICS)

            Philadelphia, PA        July 26-27, 2005

 

CRITICAL INCIDENCE STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM): GROUP INTERVENTIONS

            Baltimore, MD  June 6-7, 2005

 

CONFERENCE on OBESITY for HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

              Philadelphia, PA May 17, 24 & 25, 2005

 

ADVANCES IN THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY

New Brunswick, NJ April 20, 2005

 

MAGIC FIVES: ANCIENT CHINESE PERSPECTIVES OF THE MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIP AND ITS CLINICAL APPLICATION

            Philadelphia, PA April 2004        

 

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EATING DISORDER PROFESSIONALS (IADEP)

Washington, DC August 2003

 

NEW VARIABLES- NEW NORMS: An Update of the Comprehensive System with Thomas Shaffer, Ph.D. ABPP

Fresno, CA,   2003

 

MULTI-CULTURAL PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE  

Visalia, CA, January, 2002

 

TRAINING DIRECTORS CONFERENCE: Drug and Alcohol Use on College Campuses.

Fall 2001

 

NEW VARIABLES- NEW NORMS: An Update of the Comprehensive System with Thomas Shaffer, Ph.D. ABPP

Fresno, CA, July 2001

 

PSYCHOTHERAPY SEMINAR with Irvin Yalom

San Luis Obispo, CA   October, 2000