Beatriz Giraldo, MA in Counseling
Qualifications
- Over 40 years of experience as a mental health professional
- Oral and written Spanish/English language skills.
- Mental health program management experience
- Strong intercultural counseling skills
- Experience as a group facilitator
Education
Master of Arts in Counseling, Magna Cum Laude
Western New Mexico University – Silver City, NM
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy
Universidad Nacional – Bogotá, Colombia
Counseling Experience
Therapist/Counselor
Healthy Families – Port Angeles, WA
- Provided individual and group therapy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
Mental Health Counselor
Peninsula College – Port Angeles, WA
- Provided mental health counseling as needed
Behavioral Health Program Manager
Sea Mar Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse Programs – Bellingham, WA
- Oversaw daily operations of mental health and substance abuse programs
- Implemented policies and procedures in compliance with WAC and agency requirements
- Supervised clinical and support staff
- Provided direct client services, including groups, intakes, and assessments
- Facilitated community education and outreach
Behavioral Health Specialist
Sea Mar – Bellingham, WA
- Bridged physical (medical) and mental health services with a new ‘integrated care program’ to identify victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Provided bilingual therapy services
Counselor (Private Practice)
Integral Therapy – Port Angeles, WA
- Provided individual and family counseling with a focus on Latino clients
- Facilitated community stress management workshops
Counselor Graduate Assistant
Western New Mexico University – Silver City, NM
- Supported underrepresented and disabled students
- Facilitated workshops on stress management and self-esteem
Intern Counselor
Border Area Mental Health Services – Silver City, NM
- Conducted mental health assessments and treatment
Intern Counselor
New Mexico College of Natural Healing – Silver City, NM
- Supported massage and herbal program students through counseling
Advocate
El Refugio – Silver City, NM
- Managed office serving abused Hispanic and American women
- Created and delivered community presentations
Psychotherapist and Group Facilitator
Mente y Cuerpo – Cali, Colombia
- Conducted individual and group therapy
- Facilitated personal growth workshops including “Dancing Toward Your Center”
Occupational Therapy Experience
County Hospitals – Cali, Colombia
- Co-directed Day Treatment Program for mental health patients, achieving significant reductions in medication and eliminating electroshock use
- Developed and led life skills and therapeutic group activities
- Supervised OT assistants and coordinated substance abuse rehab programs
- Designed and implemented a day hospital program for 3-month treatment plans
- Provided rehabilitation for physically disabled and ICU patients using advanced therapeutic techniques.
- Provided professional emotional and spiritual support to patiens with a terminal illness and their families and to help them to navigate the grieving process.
- Supervised and implemented the Occupational Therapy program for intellectual disability and the creation of cooperative groups to promote independence,
Teaching Experience
Instructor
Peninsula College – Port Angeles, WA
- Spanish language instruction
Instructor
Western New Mexico University – Silver City, NM
- Courses in Spanish conversation, personal development, and stress management
Assistant Professor
Universidad del Valle – Cali, Colombia
- Taught “Group Dynamics” and “Mental Health in Occupational Therapy”
- Fostered proactive and professional learning environments
Assistant Professor
Universidad San Buenaventura – Cali, Colombia
- Courses in “Research Methods” and “Occupational Therapy for the Geriatric Population”
Teacher – Spanish & Literature
High Schools – Bogotá, Colombia
Workshop Facilitation
- Creator of “Dancing Toward Your Center” – stress management, relaxation, personal growth
- Sexual education and HIV/AIDS prevention (bilingual schools)
- Group therapy for community women’s programs
- Self-esteem workshops
- Grief and loss support
- “Stop the Violence” and anger management
- Community drum circles
Extended Training & Certifications
- Psychotherapeutic formation:
- Personal Psychoanalysis
- Humanistic therapy intensive training
- Thanatology intensive training (end-of-life Doula)
- Complications in bereavement from violent death
- Shock and Trauma Rresolution
- Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Therapist Core Training
- Group and family therapy
- Professional ethics and the law
- Non-violent communication
- Body expression and bioenergetics therapy
- Chinese Traditional Medicine training (Neijing School)
- Qigong and Sacred Dance
- Reiki I & Reiki II
- Certified Leader, Dances of Universal Peace
- Minister, Universal Life Church
- Deeksha Giver