laura james

* Outreach coordinator * Psychological evaluations * Individual and group therapy * Supervisor of students in training

In this position I provide bilingual individual counseling for UTEP students. My clinical work focuses on topics such as trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, family issues, adjustment issues, decision making, career counseling, and personal development. I administer, score and write reports for ADHD assessments, learning and personality disorders, and career counseling. I co-facilitate experiential mindfulness-based self-care groups. I also conduct outreach presentations on topics such as time and stress management, and sleep hygiene. I am currently being supervised by a licensed Psychologist in order to fulfill the requirements to become a licensed Psychologist in the state of Texas.

As a psychology intern I conducted triages and intake interviews. My activities also included the administration, scoring and report writing for ADHD assessments, learning and personality disorders, and career counseling. I provided individual and group counseling for undergraduate and graduate students who presented with a variety of concerns. I co-facilitated experiential mindfulness-based self-care groups and supervised one master student in training providing counseling services to students at UCC. I provided bilingual counseling in English and Spanish.

As a behavioral health consultant I provided behavioral health services and counseling in English and Spanish to patients referred by their medical provider at La Clinica de Familia. Focus of counseling included the following: depression, grief, stress related disorders, coping with chronic illness, physical and sexual abuse, anxiety, life transitions and adjustment issues. I collaborated in the development of a diabetes research project which aimed to explore the effectiveness of an integrative approach in helping patients to manage their diabetes. I was also a group leader and my activities included the provision of psychoeducational and health coaching interventions to Diabetic patients as part of the diabetes research project. My administrative duties included the following: Coordination of students’ schedules at the different clinic locations, and coordination and initiation of chronic disease self-management groups among all clinics (East Mesa, San Miguel, Anthony, Chaparral, Sunland Park, and Las Cruces, NM).

In this position I supervised doctoral and master level students who were providing counseling to community clients and NMSU students, while I was supervised by a faculty member. I promoted the integration of theory based treatment for supervisees to use with clients. I assisted with skills training labs designed to develop basic counseling skills for beginning practica. In this position, I was also responsible for 3-7 supervisees each semester and provided bilingual supervision.

Taught for the CUNA (Academic Grading Course) Program, a pilot program to help students during their first semester into the university.

Provided behavioral health services and counseling to women, men, adolescents, and children who were referred by their medical provider in order to receive integrated psychological and medical care. Counseled cases of depression, stress related disorders, coping with chronic illness, physical and sexual abuse, anxiety, life transitions and adjustment issues. Conducted a Spanish therapy group with a focus on depression and the impact of the emotional state in the patient’s health. Provided bilingual services in English and Spanish.

Counseled children, teenagers, and adults in cases including depression, domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, learning problems, and self-esteem issues. Applied stress-relieving techniques including hypnosis, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy. Conducted psychological assessments and speech therapy. Developed and taught courses for teens regarding self-esteem, relationships, communication skills, and smoking.

Provided individual and group counseling for undergraduate and graduate students varying in terms of presenting concerns, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and ages. Clinical work focused on topics such as adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, family communication, decision making, and personal development. Conducted psychological evaluations and provided bilingual counseling.

As a class instructor I facilitated the Academic Excellence Class, which is intended to introduce undergraduate students to extensive areas of knowledge related to academic success. I also conducted group discussions with a focus on career development, how to be successful in college, stress and time management, how to deal and overcome academic fears, and anxiety reduction techniques. Answered and clarified questions from students related to school procedures and managing the transition from high school to college. As a teacher assistant I helped with the development of the Human Growth and Development course, offering direct instructions to the students regarding class assignments, graded test and work assignments, and maintained records and grades for the students.