Gersende Schleicher
Hollywood
Summary
Dynamic Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with extensive experience at Tides of Change Therapeutic Services, adept at treatment planning and trauma-informed care. Proven ability to enhance client coping skills through cognitive-behavioral therapy while fostering strong relationships. Committed to advocating for mental health and promoting emotional healing through empathetic support and effective communication.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Tides of Change Therapeutic Services, LLC
Leonardtown, MD
01.2017 - Current
- Conducted assessments to identify client needs and establish treatment plans.
- Engaged in continuous professional development through training and workshops.
- Provided empathetic support during individual counseling sessions.
- Maintained detailed documentation of client sessions, progress notes, treatment plans, and outcomes to ensure continuity of care.
- Facilitated effective communication between clients and their families to promote understanding and foster positive relationships.
- Improved client coping skills through cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and other evidence-based approaches.
- Utilized trauma-informed care approaches to support clients in processing and healing from past experiences of abuse or neglect.
- Referred clients to other specialists, institutions or support services as necessary.
Licensed Graduate Professional Therapist
Walden Sierra
Lexington, Park, MD
05.2014 - 11.2016
- Conducted individual and group therapy sessions to facilitate personal growth and emotional healing.
- Developed tailored treatment plans based on comprehensive assessments of client needs and goals.
- Advocated for clients' needs, ensuring access to appropriate resources within the healthcare system.
- Maintained detailed case notes and documentation, ensuring effective tracking of progress and continuity of care across providers.
- Led adolescent substance abuse group utilizing Seven Challenges curriculum
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Center for Children
Leonardtown, MD
09.2012 - 05.2014
- Interview children, family, and professionals and gather facts from court, social services, and educational records of Children in Need of Assistance (CINA) for preparation of court reports advocating the child's best interest.
Volunteer
Walden Sierra
Lexington Park, MD
08.2013 - 04.2014
- Greet and welcome clients and families scheduled for appointments or assessments
- Assist in developing curriculum and counseling groups such as Domestic Violence and Anger Intervention classes
Substitute Teacher
Calvert County Public Schools
Prince Frederick, MD
10.2012 - 01.2014
- Teach, manage, and counsel students at elementary, middle, and high schools as assigned to maintain continuity in instruction.
- Report attendance, follow lesson plans, collect written work, and guide students in a classroom environment.
Middle School Teacher
St. Mary's County Schools
Spring Ridge Middle School
01.2007 - 08.2012
- Taught, managed, and counseled class of students of approximately 65 students. Guided students in a classroom environment. Designed and implemented behavior intervention plans. Referred students to Pupil Services Team for academic, attendance and behavioral concerns.
- Analyzed and interpreted student data to adjust lessons as needed based on the individual needs of the students.
- Differentiated curriculum to meet needs of special education and regular education of students in inclusion classroom.
- Led parent/teacher conferences to discuss behavioral and academic needs of students. Attended biweekly meetings with grade level and administrative teams to discuss academic data. Attended weekly discipline meetings to discuss strategies and interventions for students with at risk behaviors.
- Served as member of the Positive Behavioral Intervention System (PBIS) Committee. Coordinated teacher incentives such as Pat Yourself on the Back, Harrier Buck reward system for students, Student of the Month, and quarterly behavior incentives for students who met behavior requirements.
- Coordinated S. Mary's County Public Schools Middle School Career Fairs in 2009 and 2010 where individuals in the community from various professions mentored middle school students to assist in deciding their high school career clusters.
Counseling Intern
Calvert County Public Schools
Mill Creek Middle School
08.2006 - 01.2007
- Counseled and consulted with students individually and in groups. Met with at-risk students daily to review homework agendas, behavioral concerns, and home issues. Provided peer mediation for students as necessary.
- Participated in classroom guidance lessons. Created Guidance and Counseling pamphlet for students transitioning from elementary to middle school, describing the functions of the Guidance Department. Discussed warning signs of suicide with students and how to get help for self and others in crisis situations.
- Met with eighth grade students to discuss high school curriculum requirements for graduation. Led New Student Adjustment group for incoming sixth graders.
- Assisted students with scheduling and registration. Consulted with administration and teachers about needs of individual students. Monitored students with attendance issues.
- Facilitated parent/teacher conferences to discuss academic, behavioral, and family/home issues. Coordinated and attended weekly after school Homework Club with Sheriff's Department of Juvenile Justice to help students academically and behaviorally at risk. Used technology such as email and the Home Access Center to improve academic success of the students through better communication with students and staff.
Middle School Teacher
St. Mary's County Public Schools
Leonardtown Middle School
08.1999 - 08.2006
- Taught, counseled, and consulted with students in classroom setting. Differentiated curriculum to meet needs of special education and regular education students in inclusion classroom. Referred students to Pupil Services Team for academic, attendance, and behavioral concerns. Analyzed and interpreted student data to adjust lessons as needed based on the individual needs of students.
- Led parent/teacher conferences to discuss behavioral and academic needs of students. Reviewed referrals for Maryland Student Assistance Program (MSAP) committee. Assigned as grade level team leader. Sponsored Nationally Junior Honor Society.
Middle School Teacher
Aldine Independent School District
Hoffman Middle School
08.1995 - 08.1999
- Taught, managed, and counseled students in classroom setting. Differentiated curriculum to meet needs of special education and regular education students in inclusion classroom. Analyzed and interpreted student data to adjust lessons as needed based on the individual needs of the students.
- Assisted new teachers as mentor. Recorded minutes as intervention Committee secretary/ Taught Gifted and Talented Program. Served as instructor in Summer School Program.
Education
Master's of Education in Guidance And Counseling - Counseling
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD12-2006
Bachelor of Science - Education
Baylor University
Waco, TX05-1995
Skills
- Self-esteem building
- Anxiety reduction
- Depression treatment
- Suicide prevention
- Behavior modification
- Individual counseling
- Treatment Planning
- Grief counseling
- Anger management
- Family therapy
- Mental health diagnosis
- Mental health treatment
- Individual therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Family counseling
- Relationship building
- Motivational interviewing
- Trauma Informed Therapy
Timeline
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Tides of Change Therapeutic Services, LLC
01.2017 - Current
Licensed Graduate Professional Therapist
Walden Sierra
05.2014 - 11.2016
Volunteer
Walden Sierra
08.2013 - 04.2014
Substitute Teacher
Calvert County Public Schools
10.2012 - 01.2014
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Center for Children
09.2012 - 05.2014
Middle School Teacher
St. Mary's County Schools
01.2007 - 08.2012
Counseling Intern
Calvert County Public Schools
08.2006 - 01.2007
Middle School Teacher
St. Mary's County Public Schools
08.1999 - 08.2006
Middle School Teacher
Aldine Independent School District
08.1995 - 08.1999
Master's of Education in Guidance And Counseling - Counseling
Bowie State University
Bachelor of Science - Education
Baylor University