Mara McLaughlin-Gombeda

Experience

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  Serento Gardens

  Jan 1992 - Jan 1999

  Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist

  • Conduct assessments, individual and group counseling for children of substance abusing parents• Perform substance abuse evaluations for adolescents and adults in a middle school and agency setting utilizing PCPC, ASI, ASAM, and DSM IV• Provide individual and group therapy for addicted adolescents, adults and their significant others• Facilitate a partial hospitalization program for addicted criminals concentrating on cognitive behavioral therapy• Devise appropriate referrals to assist patients in addressing needs beyond agency capacity• Answer crisis calls and provide consultations for hospitalized referrals• Provide substance abuse evaluations and individual counseling for Penn State Hazleton Students Show less

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  Catholic Social Services

  Jan 1992 - Jan 1993

  Program Coordinator

  • Develop and orchestrate an intensive, comprehensive counseling program for single mothers to foster independence of public assistance• Dispense case management services for single mothers and other assigned clientele• Supply budget counseling for financially challenged clients

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  Court Advocate Program

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1999

  Alcohol Highway Safety Instructor

  • Instruct DUI first offenders on the dangers of substance use and driving• Teach students the effects of alcohol and other drugs on human physiology, family and the law• Conduct group therapy for repeat offenders

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  Serento Gardens Alcoholism and Drug Services

  Jan 1997 - Jan 1999

  Clinical Supervisor

  • Provide direct individual and group supervision for counseling staff• Furnish training and orientation for all newly hired therapists• Conduct annual department evaluations for clinical personnel• Prepare for annual department licensing reviews

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  Pennsylvania Counseling Services

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  Clinical Supervisor/Therapist

  • Provide consultation and supervision for all assigned clerical and clinical personnel• Instruct newly hired therapists on company policy and procedures• Participate in staff, County and agency meetings• Assist other supervisors with BDAP licensure reviews• Facilitate Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Group Counseling programs• Conduct chemical dependency and mental health evaluations• Provide individual, marital and group counseling for adults and adolescents suffering from mental illness and chemical dependence Show less

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  Northeast Contract & Development

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2003

  Social Worker/Therapist

  • Provide individual marital and family therapy utilizing Cognitive Behavioral, Gestalt, REBT and systems theory to treat addiction, depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, and bereavement in an outpatient setting• Develop treatment plans and goals specific to consumer’s needs• Deliver appropriate paperwork to secure funding through various health insurances

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  Northeast Counseling Services

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2015

  • Conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations and needs assessments• Provide individual and family therapy for children and adolescents diagnosed with various mental health conditions including ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, Anxiety, Depression, and Autism• Develop and review treatment plans for assessing progress towards treatment goals• Consult with staff psychiatrist, psychologist and care manager and make recommendations regarding level of treatment in response to psychotropic medications• Instruct school personnel and behavioral health workers on behavior modification techniques• Attend weekly student assistant program meetings and provide consultation• Present training for CCBHO and provide assistance and guidance for newly informed SCBBHO teams Show less • Provide individual and family therapy for children and adolescents suffering from various mental health disorders including ADHD, Oppositional Defiance, Tourette’s Syndrome, Anxiety, Depression, and Autism• Develop a treatment plan and treatment plan review for assessing progress towards treatment goals• Consult with staff psychiatrist and psychologist and make recommendations regarding level of treatment and response to psychotropic medications• Provide weekly individual, group, and on-site supervision for therapeutic staff support employees and make treatment recommendations• Present staff trainings on family therapy, chemical dependence, ACOA issues, ethics and codependency Show less

  • Mental Health Professional

    Jan 2009 - Jan 2015

  • Mobile Supervisor/Mobile Therapist

    Jan 2001 - Jan 2010
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  Lehigh Carbon Community College

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2002

  Adjunct Instructor

  • Devise and present lectures explaining basic sociological concepts• Develop and grade examinations• Stimulate and lead class discussions on current sociological events• Encourage students to analyze connections between personal experiences and sociological issues

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  Temple University School of Administration

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2005

  Adjunct Instructor

  • Devise an updated curriculum for instruction of chemical dependence for master level social work students• Instruct students to gain a working understanding of chemical dependence, methods of treatment, co-occurring disorders, codependency and current events• Lecture students on concepts of theories of power, social systems theory, role theory, ego psychology and theories of development to understand human behavior• Teach concepts of CBT, DBT, REBT, Gestalt, client centered and family systems• Lead class discussions regarding ethics, family dynamics, interviewing skills and cultural considerations• Teach individual, family and group techniques Show less

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  Luzerne County Community College

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2004

  Adjunct Instructor

  • Instruct students to develop insight into social institutions of families historically and in the contemporary United States• Assist students to explore, love, dating, marriage and sexuality as aspects of the family system and to assess the interconnections of families with issues of class, race, gender, and sexual orientation• Lead class discussions to analyze the nature of family interaction, power, communication, child rearing and meeting crisis• Educate students on contemporary issues (single parenting, divorce and dual-worker families) and alternative lifestyles (singlehood, homosexuality and co-habitation) as they affect families• Instruct students to gain basic understanding of sociological theories, the structure and functioning of society and their impact on the individual• Teach students the differences in methods and approaches to the study of society• Assist students in relating sociological analysis/broad social forces to one’s own life experiences Show less

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  Keystone Job-Training Center Management & Training Corporation

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2011

  Mental Health Consultant

  • Provide short-term therapy for students suffering from anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders and career dilemmas• Conduct psychological evaluations and provide treatment recommendations to educational, medical and counseling staff• Devise appropriate referrals to assist students in addressing additional needs beyond center capacity

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  Institute of Healing and Psychotherapy

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2015

  Mental Health Therapist

  • Conduct comprehensive mental health evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults concerned with anxiety, depression, addiction, adjustment disorders and relationship conflicts • Prepare treatment plans, discharge and aftercare plans based on client expectations and goals• Provide individual, family and couples counseling• Co-facilitate couples and family sessions• Facilitate referrals to other providers beyond practice capacity

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  Pathway to Recovery

  Jun 2015 - now

  • Conduct comprehensive drug, alcohol and mental health evaluations and needs assessments according the DSMV, PCPC, ASAM and ASI• Devise initial, master and treatment update plans, crisis/safety plans and discharge/aftercare plans for individuals suffering from addiction disorders, various behavioral health conditions and co-occurring disorders• Provide individual, group and family therapy for individuals managing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia, impulse control disorders and addiction conditions• Consult with a psychiatrist regarding treatment planning• Attend weekly treatment team meetings and provide consultations• Participate in statewide learning collaboration with CCBH to improve consumer engagement• Collaborate with other treatment providers to ensure client care• Maintain accuracy and completeness of all consumer records based on Agency, State, and private insurance standards• Teach Alcohol Highway Safety School Show less • Maintain the accuracy and completeness of all client records based on Agency, State, and private insurance standards• Prepare the facility for licensure and ensure maintenance of client records within licensing standards• Plan and direct all negotiations and investigations pertaining to new program implementations. Assure adequate resources are made available and utilized by clinical staff members• Supervise all counseling staff who are treating clients presenting with co-occurring disorders• Represent the agency with major interest groups, consumers of services, funding agencies, referral sources, the social services community, governmental regulatory bodies and the public• Review agency matters covering all aspects of organizational operation in an advisory fashion• Collaborate with other Department managers to establish and maintain an effective system of communication throughout the organization• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policy and applicable law, including interviewing, hiring, and training employees Show less

  • Mental Health Professional

    Apr 2016 - now

  • Mental Health Director

    Jun 2015 - Apr 2016