Shanika D. Torres, M.A., M.Ed., Lpc-S, Phd Candidate Email & Phone Number

Houston, Tx, Us

Houston, Texas, United States

Counseling and Wellness Center providing a holistic mental health experience that incorporates body and spirituality elements into treating the whole client.

Remote

Houston, Texas Area

As a sub-contracted Training Facilitator, I present on a variety of topics including: "Leadership Essentials", "Diversity in the Workplace: Maintaining an Inclusive Environment", "Drug-Free Workplace Compliance", and "Building a Cohesive and Inclusive Team" to name a few.Utilizing my gregarious personality, humor, and professional expertise, I strive to make every presentation an engaging and memorable experience!

Houston, Texas Area

The Shanika Show airs on the local Houston public broadcasting network, Houston Media Source (Comcast Channel 17). This talk show shares the stories of everyday individuals who faced adversities but overcame them triumphantly. Real people. Real stories. Be inspired!

United States

Provided oversight of clinical and administrative services for crisis clinicians within a 16 bed psychiatric crisis stabilization unit. Completed assessments and provided psychoeducation to individuals and their families, including individuals with developmental disabilities who presented in crisis.Responsible for interviewing and selection of crisis clinicians, which also encompassed job training, supervising and continually helping to hone clinical skills within the crisis setting.Completed CANS/ANSA assessments. Organized and facilitated clinical team meetings.Demonstrated leadership and management of team dynamics while fostering a positive peer culture in alignment with the mission and values of the agency at all times.

Salem, Or

Counseled clients with an emphasis on promoting mental health education, advocacy and awareness. Provided assistance and support to help clients manage angry outbursts, understand anger origins, and identify healthy coping strategies, with ability to channel anger into healthy alternatives. Collected and recorded patient information by interviewing them. Developed and implemented treatment plans based on clinical insight. Used principles of risk management to identify and evaluate the risks to the organization's personnel (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control risks. Oversaw the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects. Established good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization. Coached and mentored staff as appropriate to improve performance. Disciplined staff when necessary using appropriate techniques and released staff when necessary using appropriate and legally defensible procedures. Ensured that all staff received an orientation to the organization and that appropriate training was provided. Recruited, interviewed and selected staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the organization's mission.

Hillsboro, Or

Responded to children and/or adults experiencing a mental health crisis. Provided both clinic based and mobile based crisis response to people with mental health concerns. Conducted mental health risk assessments and triaged, coordinate crisis intervention. Developed short-term client centered stabilization plans. Assisted with resource linkage, and initiated involuntary civil commitment petitions to individuals who needed mental health services.Responded to crisis calls by phone or in person as needed.

Salem, Oregon

Provided crisis intervention services to individuals and/or families in-person and/or over the phone. Assessed client’s mental status through interviews and observations.Screened individuals for psychiatric hospitalization appropriateness.Developed treatment plans and make referrals to community resources based on a client’s immediate needs. Provided provisional mental health and/or chemical dependency diagnosis.Prepared concise and complete documentation related to crisis assessment.Advocated for the least restrictive care intervention.

Salem, Oregon

Counseled youth and adult sex offenders with various developmental disabilities in individual, family, and group therapy settings.Filed numerous CPS reports with DHS based on disclosures in session.Familiar with documentation procedures and follow-up.Experience with suicide risk assessment: IS PATH WARM and referral services for high-risk cases.

Provided claims support in identifying and communicating critical research as to payment denials or releases. Quoted insurance benefits and eligibility for various Oregon Medicaid and Medicare health plans (e.g., PSCS, WVCH, Family Care, Atrio Health Plans, etc.) as well as company-funded commercial plans.

TV Personality Successful TV personality who interviewed celebrity recording artists for burgeoning urban broadcast show and provided director/producer assistance in research and script development for show production.Problem resolutions expert regarding interviewee sensitive issues, developed outline regarding interview storyline discussions, and served as red carpet interviewer for the 2009 Southern Entertainment Awards.

Provided outpatient psychiatry front office patient support, set appointments, managed patient records and billing, administered medications, verified insurance coverage and procedure approvals, and served as Spanish translator for personnel and patients.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Couples And Family Therapy

Master Of Education (Med), Applied Behavior Analysis

The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) pairs research and experience to prepare.

Master Of Arts (Ma), Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and approved by the Oregon Board.

B.S, Criminal Justice Administration

A.A, Spanish

Certificate, Medical/Clinical Assistant

Education record