SHADE’ ALFRED
Mt. St. George
Summary
Mental health professional with comprehensive experience in Social Work and Expressive Arts Therapy, adept at fostering positive client outcomes. Skilled in individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and treatment planning. Strong focus on collaborative team efforts and consistently achieving measurable results. Reliable and adaptable with excellent communication and problem-solving abilities, ensuring effective support in dynamic environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Dance Teacher, Owner
Signature Steps Dance Studio
01.2024 - Current
- Choreographed unique routines tailored to individual student abilities, enhancing each dancer''s strengths while improving areas of weakness.
- Planned routines for recitals and performances.
- Developed strong relationships with students, encouraging them to develop self-confidence through the art of dance.
- Recognized and adapted to different learning styles to productively communicate and teach materials to all students.
- Created a safe and inclusive environment where students felt comfortable expressing themselves through dance, regardless of their background or experience level.
School Social Worker
Division of Education, Research and Technology
02.2021 - Current
- Conduct needs assessments to help low income families obtain a food and school supplies
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop intervention strategies for students in need of additional support.
- Enhanced student well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions addressing various social, emotional, and behavioral issues.
- Provided crisis intervention services and collaborated with school staff to create safety plans for students at risk of self-harm or violence.
- Established supportive relationships with at-risk youth through regular check-ins, goal-setting activities, and consistent followup.
- Completed psychosocial histories of students under evaluation.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of students'' social-emotional functioning to inform interventions and service planning.
- Collaborated with students, teachers, administrators, parents and outside agencies.
- Served as a liaison between the school, family, and community agencies to ensure effective communication and collaboration around student needs.
- Assisted parents in navigating the special education process, ensuring proper identification and provision of services for their children.
- Helped clients develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Provided group and individual counseling to address problems.
- Created a safe space for students experiencing crises by providing immediate support and appropriate referrals.
Dance Tutor/Community Worker
Division of Tourism, Culture & Transportation
11.2018 - Current
- Teach and educate dancers about the art form, explore creative movements, prepare the groups to perform in showcases and participate in dance competitions on the island
- Mentored aspiring dancers by sharing industry insights and career advice.
Children Services Associate
Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
07.2019 - 01.2021
- Advocate, mediate, facilitate, teach, supervise, monitor, and manage cases
- Completed reintegration plans and outsource resources that will benefit my clients
- Worked with a multidisciplinary team of other helping professionals in an effort to ensure that the nation’s children who are in our care, receive quality service towards being able to live their lives to its fullest potential
Quality Control Assistant
Tobago Festivals Commission
07.2018 - 03.2019
- Supervised 18 interns, whilst overseeing the execution of all the Tobago Heritage shows
- Engaged in the planning and successful completion the Tobago Jazz Experience 2019, as well as I gained first-hand experience in stage management
Dance/Movement Therapy Intern
CareGroup Parmenter Home Care and Hospice
06.2017 - 05.2018
- As a Dance/Movement Therapy intern I utilized Mental Health Counselling coupled with Expressive Arts Therapy to work with adults diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's.
- Maintained strict adherence to ethical guidelines, ensuring confidentiality and professionalism in all aspects of client care.
- Documented patient progress and maintained detailed records for accurate tracking of treatment effectiveness.
- Supported clients in developing effective coping strategies, fostering resilience and promoting personal growth.
- Enhanced patient progress by developing individualized therapy plans tailored to specific needs.
- Implemented creative art activities during group sessions that promoted self-expression leading to emotional healing.
Dance/Movement Therapy Intern
Cambridge Community Centre
10.2016 - 05.2017
- This experience allowed me to apply Mental Health and Expressive Arts theory to practice with children and adolescents who experienced grief, loss and had behavioural challenges
- Maintained strict adherence to ethical guidelines, ensuring confidentiality and professionalism in all aspects of client care.
- Supported clients in developing effective coping strategies, fostering resilience and promoting personal growth.
- Built trust and rapport with compassionate approach.
- Assessed client needs and developed treatment plans.
School Social Worker
Division of Education Youth Affairs and Sport
12.2012 - 07.2016
- Provided counselling to students who experienced different social issues such as teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse, grief, financial issues, drug abuse and behavioural problems
- Applied Social Work practice of mediating and advocating to represent the clients effectively
- Developed and designed a comprehensive behavioural modification program to target students aged 5-13 years
- Maintained compliance with standards relating to child protection, client confidentiality, risk assessment and reporting.
- Additionally, I conducted needs assessments on a yearly basis and obtained financial assistance to help low income families
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop intervention strategies for students in need of additional support.
- Provided crisis intervention services and collaborated with school staff to create safety plans for students at risk of self-harm or violence.
- Completed psychosocial histories of students under evaluation.
Dance Tutor/Community Worker
Division of Community Development & Culture
12.2012 - 07.2016
- In a combined effort, I worked with other tutors teaching dance in various communities throughout Tobago
- Expanded students'' understanding of dance history through educational discussions on diverse styles, cultures, and influential figures in the field.
- Stayed up-to-date on industry trends and best practices through continuous professional development opportunities such as workshops, conferences, or online courses.
- Maintained a safe and supportive learning environment by enforcing studio rules and promoting respect among students.
Medical Social Worker
North West Regional Health Authority
05.2012 - 11.2012
- Effectively and efficiently worked with a treatment team consisting of doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists
- I independently conducted assessments and developed treatment plans for clients
- I provided counselling to a number of populations which included preparation for amputation, grief, new diagnosis, financial issues reintegration
- I also advocated for clients’ rights when necessary to different committees
Dance Tutor/Community Worker
Division of Community Development & Culture
09.2010 - 03.2012
- I worked with clients of all ages, completed budget writing, taught dance to children and adults in schools and communities and engaged in event management, while utilizing skills of patience and teamwork
Social Work Intern
National Radiotherapy Centre
09.2009 - 04.2010
- I developed proper client focused interaction and learnt the intricacies of relaying information to patients and their family
- Maintained detailed case notes, documenting progress towards goals and critical incidents for accurate reporting.
- Managed caseload efficiently, prioritizing tasks and maintaining timely communication with clients, colleagues, and supervisors.
- Consulted with other professionals to gain insight and advice and build strong network within organization.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions, fostering supportive environments for open communication and personal growth.
- Facilitated support groups and workshops to provide valuable services to clients.
- Interviewed clients to assess needs and determine most suitable needs and services.
- Maintained client reports to track client progress, record interventions and provide relevant data for analysis.
Social Work Intern
St. Dominic’s Children’s Home
09.2008 - 04.2009
- Began to practice the roles of a Social Worker by applying theory to practice, while working with abandoned children ages 7-15years of mixed races and gender
- Enhanced client independence, teaching practical life skills within supportive group setting.
- Advocated for client needs with external agencies to secure necessary services and support.
- Improved client well-being by conducting comprehensive needs assessments.
Education
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counselling, Dance Movement Therapy
Lesley University
Cambridge, Massachusetts05-2018
Certificate - Understanding Trauma for Children and Adolescents: Identifying to Intervention
TCHD Post Graduate Training Institute
01.2015
Certificate - Fundamentals of Addiction
The University of The West Indies
St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago01.2013
Certificate - Dance and Dance Education
The University of the West Indies
St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago01.2012
Bachelor of Science - Social Work (Special)
The University of The West Indies
St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago01.2010
Skills
- Effective Communication
- Task efficiency
- Critical thinking
- Patience and encouragement
- Goal setting
- Mentoring
- Program planning
- Compassionate
- Case management
- Conflict resolution
- Efficient under pressure
- Attention to detail
- Cooperative
- Analytical thinking
- Referrals and networking
Extra-Curricular Activities
Member of the Youth Quake Cultural Performers (WCOP 2007) Member of Urban Ritual Dance Company Secretary of the Hope Anglican Youth Group Pageantry-Miss Heritage Personality 2008 Member of the cast for the El Cerros del Aripo production Member of the cast for Dimanche Gras 2009 and 2011 production
Professionalboards
National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC), Tobago Youth Representative, 2019
Registration
Registered Medical Social Worker with the Medical and Psychiatric Social Workers’ Board of Trinidad and Tobago
Timeline
Dance Teacher, Owner
Signature Steps Dance Studio
01.2024 - Current
School Social Worker
Division of Education, Research and Technology
02.2021 - Current
Children Services Associate
Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
07.2019 - 01.2021
Dance Tutor/Community Worker
Division of Tourism, Culture & Transportation
11.2018 - Current
Quality Control Assistant
Tobago Festivals Commission
07.2018 - 03.2019
Dance/Movement Therapy Intern
CareGroup Parmenter Home Care and Hospice
06.2017 - 05.2018
Dance/Movement Therapy Intern
Cambridge Community Centre
10.2016 - 05.2017
School Social Worker
Division of Education Youth Affairs and Sport
12.2012 - 07.2016
Dance Tutor/Community Worker
Division of Community Development & Culture
12.2012 - 07.2016
Medical Social Worker
North West Regional Health Authority
05.2012 - 11.2012
Dance Tutor/Community Worker
Division of Community Development & Culture
09.2010 - 03.2012
Social Work Intern
National Radiotherapy Centre
09.2009 - 04.2010
Social Work Intern
St. Dominic’s Children’s Home
09.2008 - 04.2009
Certificate - Dance and Dance Education
The University of the West Indies
Master of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counselling, Dance Movement Therapy
Lesley University
Certificate - Understanding Trauma for Children and Adolescents: Identifying to Intervention
TCHD Post Graduate Training Institute
Certificate - Fundamentals of Addiction
The University of The West Indies
Bachelor of Science - Social Work (Special)
The University of The West Indies
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