Pragya Kacholia
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
ACA level 2 Registered Mental Health Counselor with a Master's degree in Counselling and a Bachelor's in Applied Psychology. Extensive experience in counselling multicultural and varied age groups. Strong background in intake assessments, risk assessments, and brief intervention counselling. Committed to supporting individuals experiencing complex trauma and advocating for marginalized communities. Seeing a role to leverage skills in providing person-centered and trauma-informed counselling to destigmatise mental health, facilitate a space for clients to feel seen and heard
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Behavioural Therapist
Autism Partnership
08.2023 - Current
- Maintained detailed documentation of client progress, communicating updates regularly to supervisory staff and relevant stakeholders.
- Reduced challenging behaviors by conducting functional behavior assessments and developing appropriate interventions.
- Developed rapport with clients by utilizing empathy and active listening skills, creating a supportive therapeutic environment conducive to learning.
- Responded effectively to crisis situations and aggressive behaviors, skillfully mitigating conflicts with proven strategies.
- Implemented crisis prevention measures when necessary to maintain safety within therapy sessions.
- Implemented behavioral intervention plans created by clinical supervisors.
- Collected and analyzed data on client performance, adjusting treatment plans accordingly to maximize progress towards goals.
- Promoted social skill development in group settings using targeted activities and role-playing exercises.
- Developed behavior intervention plans based on principles of applied behavior analysis.
- Collected session data to aid in treatment planning and assessment.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive behavioral treatment plans for clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Counseled individuals, groups, and families to bring awareness of problems, deal with crisis situations and develop action plans.
Student Wellbeing Mentor
La Trobe University
04.2022 - 01.2023
- Conducted intake/triage and assessments for the Health and Wellbeing Centre
- Provided short-term counseling (6-12 sessions) and psychological support
- Referred students to appropriate internal and external services
- Managed low to moderate-risk cases with short-term case management
- Performed administrative tasks related to intake/triage and support work.
- Improved client satisfaction by providing thorough intake assessments and identifying appropriate resources.
- Increased successful referrals to community resources through comprehensive research and collaboration with local agencies.
- Provided crisis intervention services when needed, quickly assessing situations and connecting clients with emergency resources or support networks as appropriate.
- Assisted clients in overcoming barriers, advocating for their needs within internal departments or external organizations when necessary.
- Used cognitive behavior therapy to assist clients in recognizing and redirecting poor habits.
Student Intern
Dr. Anil Tambi
02.2021 - 12.2021
- Assessed the mental condition of clients using diagnostic tests, observations, and interviews
- Assisted in providing crisis intervention therapies and assessed the risk of suicide or harmful behaviors
- Tracked patient progress using a self-designed system emphasizing positive behaviors and interventions
- Authored a paper on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for mood disorders
- Explored the effectiveness of CBT in treating severe depression, acute depression, and bipolar disorders
- Gained knowledge of DSM-5 to understand complex mental health disorders and their symptoms.
- Implemented behavioral modification strategies to help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Utilized motivational interviewing techniques to encourage positive change in clients'' lives.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for clients with complex needs.
Student Intern
Mind
05.2018 - 10.2019
- Administered and evaluated tests such as 16PF and MCMI III, generating reports based on results
- Conducted a study and gathered resources for a "Suicide Prevention" workshop led by Dr Anjali Chhabria
- Wrote weekly articles on mental health issues for the "Agony Aunt" column
- Performed administrative tasks, including scheduling client appointments, handling transactions, and answering queries
- Observed case-history taking and follow-up sessions by clinical psychologists.
- Conducted assessments to determine progress and performance and report findings to relevant authorities.
- Counducted single session brief intervention counselling for refferals and risk assesment
Education
Master of Counselling -
Monash University
Bachelor of Applied Science, Applied Psychology -
Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur
01.2019
Skills
- Intake Assessments and Risk assesment
- Brief Intervention Counselling
- Cross-Cultural Competency
- Advocacy for Marginalized Clients
- Communication Skills
- Biopsychosocial assessment
- Microsoft Office
- SOAP Notes and IT skills
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Case Management
- Person-Centred Therapy
- Trauma focused Therapy
Websites
Certification
- Working with Children Check
- Member - Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
Projectspublications
Paper on CBT: Authored a comprehensive paper exploring the application and effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in treating mood disorders.
Affiliations
- ACA level 2 Counsellor (Membership no: 100004)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Hindi
Native or Bilingual
Tamil
Limited Working
Timeline
Behavioural Therapist
Autism Partnership
08.2023 - Current
Student Wellbeing Mentor
La Trobe University
04.2022 - 01.2023
Student Intern
Dr. Anil Tambi
02.2021 - 12.2021
Student Intern
Mind
05.2018 - 10.2019
Master of Counselling -
Monash University
Bachelor of Applied Science, Applied Psychology -
Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur
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