Darcy Townend
Brisbane,QLD
Summary
Compassionate adolescent counsellor eager to use two years of experience in related roles to bring value to new opportunity. Dedicated and empathetic with strong knowledge of developmental psychology and trauma. Skilled in developing individualised treatment plans, conducting assessments and responding to emergency situations calmly and respectfully. Committed to advocating for mental health and well-being of clients. Level two counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Youth Support Coordinator
Vocational Partnerships Group - Mareeba State High School
03.2023 - 03.2024
- Established trusting therapeutic alliances with clients through empathetic listening, validation, and unconditional positive regard.
- Assisted students in setting realistic goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress towards achievement.
- Acted as student advocate to coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Conducted risk assessments for suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviours.
- Co-facilitated a five-week sexual violence prevention program to year six students in several primary schools.
- Conducted a Youth Mental Health seminar for local community members.
- Co-facilitated a fortnightly LGBTQIA+ peer support group.
- Educated clients on available community resources, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-sufficiency.
- Provided crisis intervention services to individuals experiencing acute distress or dangerous situations.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client interactions, assessments, and progress notes for effective case management.
- Coordinated referrals between agencies to ensure seamless transitions for clients receiving multiple services.
- Empowered clients to develop healthy coping mechanisms through psychoeducation on mental health topics relevant to their experiences.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Tailored interventions according to cultural backgrounds to maintain sensitivity towards diverse populations.
- Assisted clients in developing insight into their emotions and behaviours by facilitating expressive activities.
- Facilitated parent engagement through regular communication, informational sessions, and collaborative meetings to address student concerns.
- Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counselling sessions.
Patient Services Officer
Uniting Care Queensland
07.2018 - 02.2023
- Worked individually and within a multidisciplinary team across various departments.
- Provided compassionate support to patients and their families during difficult times, fostering trust and rapport.
- Demonstrated excellent multitasking skills by managing multiple phone lines, greeting patients, and organising paperwork simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Assisted in maintaining accurate patient records, contributing to the overall organisation of the hospital.
- Collaborated with medical staff to ensure timely communication and exchange of information between patients and healthcare providers.
- Handled challenging situations with poise and professionalism while addressing patient concerns or complaints promptly.
- Enhanced patient experience by efficiently managing front desk operations and maintaining a welcoming environment.
Telehealth Counsellor
University Of Queensland
07.2022 - 11.2022
- Conducted telephone intakes and risk assessments as per the organisation's pro forma
- Assisted clients in setting realistic goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress towards achievement.
- Established trusting therapeutic alliances with clients through empathetic listening, validation, and unconditional positive regard.
- Evaluated clients' goals, as well as mental and physical conditions, to develop individualised brief interventions and homework sheets
- Managed a caseload of six clients working with sexual trauma, body image and self-esteem issues, LGBTQIA+ support, family and relationship breakdown, chronic health and disability, and domestic violence
- Practiced CBT-based interventions for body image concerns through cognitive restructuring
- Implemented ACT-based interventions for social anxiety such as, cognitive diffusion, anchor breathing, mindfulness and circles of control
- Conducted weekly sessions both over the phone and via zoom
- Actively participated in group supervision and clinical case presentations
- Maintained concise and cohesive case notes, in a time efficient manner
Brief Intervention Counsellor
Act For Kids
02.2022 - 07.2022
- Conducted trauma-informed individual counselling with a broad range of clients aged 3-17 years old.
- Fostered a supportive environment by establishing rapport with clients and maintaining clear communication channels.
- Improved survivor safety by developing personalised safety plans and providing resources for legal assistance.
- Conducted thorough assessments of clients' needs, identifying barriers to self-sufficiency and strategising solutions and interventions accordingly.
- Conducted home visits to assess clients' home environment and provide support.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for clients with complex needs.
- Observed client progress and treatment outcomes, which were presented at fortnightly clinical case presentations.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
- Applied therapeutic interventions and techniques to individuals with diagnosed emotional and mental disorders (Depression, bi-polar, PTSD, Anxiety).
- Provided psychoeducation regarding the impact of trauma on mental health, empowering clients with knowledge about their experiences.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client interactions, assessments, and progress notes for effective case management.
- Contributed to a supportive work environment by sharing knowledge, resources, and new findings within the counselling field.
Family Support Worker
Anglicare Southern Queensland
08.2020 - 02.2021
- Provided evidence-based therapeutic interventions and crisis management to clients to lessen negative on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Achieved positive client outcomes by developing and implementing comprehensive case management plans.
- Established strong rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds and demographics, fostering an atmosphere of trust for open communication.
- Developed and implemented safety plans for clients at risk of harm to provide protection.
- Assisted families in navigating complex social service systems, advocating for their rights and accessing essential services.
- Promoted healthy communication within families by mediating conflicts and facilitating open discussions.
- Conducted substance abuse assessments and screenings to accurately identify client needs and appropriate levels of care required.
- Reported child abuse and suspected neglect in accordance with legal standards of mandatory reporters.
- Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring timely reporting to supervisors and compliance with agency requirements.
- Monitored progress towards case goals, adjusting strategies as needed to ensure success for each family unit.
- Advocated on behalf of clients during meetings with school personnel and other stakeholders, ensuring proper representation of their needs.
- Facilitated a 10-week program providing support and guidance to year six students transitioning to high school.
- Facilitated a parent workshop providing resources and psychoeducation on topics such as self-esteem building, healthy relationships, and bullying to promote emotional well-being for their children.
- Promoted emotional and physical wellbeing through psychoeducation around sexual health and safety, LGBTQIA+ support and identity challenges.
Youth Mentor Volunteer
YMCA
04.2019 - 06.2019
- Established rapport with diverse groups of youths aged 12 to 15 years, understanding individual needs and adapting mentoring approach accordingly.
- Coached mentees on conflict resolution techniques to improve interpersonal skills both within peer groups and family settings.
- Assisted in organising educational and recreational activities, promoting a positive environment for personal growth.
- Collaborated with other volunteers to develop effective mentorship programs for at-risk youth.
- Collaborated with school administrators to better understand the academic and social needs of mentees, providing more targeted support.
- Monitored progress of each mentee, tracking improvements in academic performance, social skills, and emotional wellbeing.
- Served as a positive role model, demonstrating strong values and ethical behaviour.
- Monitored and observed participants and reported concerns to supervisor for immediate attention.
- Participated in volunteer de-briefs to provide feedback for continuous improvement of program.
Education
Master of Counselling -
University of Queensland
12.2022
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) -
Queensland University of Technology
06.2019
Skills
- Adolescent Counselling
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Building rapport
- Biopsychosocial Assessments
- Interpersonal Skills
- Developmental Psychology
- Conflict Resolution
- Crisis Intervention
- Individual Counselling
- Family engagement
- Client Advocacy
- Analytical Thinking
Certification
- 08/01/2019, Youth Mental Health First Aid
- 09/01/2019, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
References
- Monique Cairney, Practice Supervisor, UQ With You, m.cairney@uq.edu.au, 0408 568 973
- Sarah Marsh, Service Coordinator, Vocational Parnterships Group, sarah@vpginc.com.au, 0428 089 268
- Hazel Bensted, Guidance Officer, Mareeba State High School, hbens3@eq.edu.au, 4086 2777
Timeline
Youth Support Coordinator
Vocational Partnerships Group - Mareeba State High School
03.2023 - 03.2024
Telehealth Counsellor
University Of Queensland
07.2022 - 11.2022
Brief Intervention Counsellor
Act For Kids
02.2022 - 07.2022
Family Support Worker
Anglicare Southern Queensland
08.2020 - 02.2021
Youth Mentor Volunteer
YMCA
04.2019 - 06.2019
Patient Services Officer
Uniting Care Queensland
07.2018 - 02.2023
Master of Counselling -
University of Queensland
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) -
Queensland University of Technology
- 08/01/2019, Youth Mental Health First Aid
- 09/01/2019, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
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