Dan Cook
Aurora
Summary
Dynamic leader and compassionate Behavioral Health Specialist with experience in clinical, academic, and community settings. Strengths include crisis management, group therapy facilitation, and staff mentorship. Demonstrated ability to build rapport with diverse patient populations leading to improved behavioral health outcomes.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavioral Health Specialist Senior
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Aurora
07.2024 - Current
- Coordinates treatment among BHSs, nurses, BTCs, charge nurses, psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, and managers to ensure delivery of high-quality care.
- Collaborates with psychologists, BTCs, and charge nurses to implement behavioral support plans for patients with complex diagnoses and maladaptive behaviors.
- Excels in teaching evidence-based therapeutic curriculum to enhance emotional awareness, regulation, distress tolerance, and cognitive flexibility across various age groups.
- Fosters insightful engagement and connection while leading therapeutic groups for patients with diverse diagnoses and backgrounds.
- Precepts incoming staff to ensure consistent, effective training.
- Provides Safety Care training to new and existing staff across the hospital and helps staff maintain fidelity of the Safety Care skills.
Paraprofessional in Affective Needs Program
Heritage High School
Littleton
08.2022 - 05.2024
- Utilized trauma-informed practices to support students with significant social-emotional and behavioral needs to develop emotional regulation, coping skills, problem-solving strategies, and positive decision-making skills.
- Built trust through positive and lasting relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Monitored student behavior, collected behavioral data, and communicated observations to teachers and program psychologists.
- Collaborated with program psychologist and teachers to create and implement Individualized Education Plans and behavioral support plans.
Substitute Teacher
Spokane Public Schools
Spokane
01.2022 - 05.2022
- Managed classroom behavior and maintained a positive learning environment across a wide range of age groups (K-12).
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies based on individual student needs.
- Promoted a safe and secure atmosphere within the classroom setting.
- Communicated effectively with parents about student progress and concerns.
- Collaborated with regular teachers to ensure continuity of instruction.
Student Recovery Assistant
OUR House Gonzaga University
Spokane
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Managed diverse responsibilities in addiction recovery support environment to enhance student engagement.
- Developed program initiatives and allocated resources for program development.
- Led recovery meetings for students on campus.
- Facilitated group discussions to foster a supportive student recovery community.
- Educated students on coping strategies and resources for ongoing recovery support.
- Organized focus groups and collected data to improve campus recovery education and safety.
Education
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Psychology
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA01-2021
Skills
- Behavior management
- Crisis intervention
- Treatment coordination
- Trauma-informed practices
- Support plan implementation
- Group facilitation
- First Aid/BLS/CPR
- Safety Care Trainer
Service Volunteering Leadership
- Safety Care Trainer: July 2025-Present; Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO - Teach Safety Care de-escalation and physical management techniques. Give certified staff training to maintain and improve competency in Safety Care skills.
- High School Baseball Coach: December 2023 - May 2024; Heritage High School, Littleton, CO - Coached freshman-level baseball players to develop relational skills through teamwork and sportsmanship.
- Selective Mutism Volunteer: July 2022; Courageous Kids Camp, Greenwood Village, CO - Implemented treatment under the supervision of a psychologist to help children overcome their anxiety of speaking.
- Co-Founder and President: August - December 2021; Gonzaga Meditation Club, Spokane, WA - Organized meetings with up to 20 students to promote mindfulness practice on campus. Collaborated with our advisor to educate students on Compassion-Based Mindfulness Training.
- Student Trip Leader: August 2019 - May 2021; Gonzaga Outdoors, Spokane, WA - Guided student trips (hiking, backpacking, climbing, skiing) to teach safety skills and create community.
- Disability Volunteer: August 2019 - May 2020; Gonzaga University Specialized Recreation (GUSR), Spokane, WA - Created connection and community with adults with disabilities. Organized a play to perform for the campus.
- Youth Volunteer: September 2017 - December 2017: Gonzaga’s Smile Program, Spokane, WA - Mentored K-6 youth to build positive self-identities.
Timeline
Behavioral Health Specialist Senior
Children’s Hospital Colorado
07.2024 - Current
Paraprofessional in Affective Needs Program
Heritage High School
08.2022 - 05.2024
Substitute Teacher
Spokane Public Schools
01.2022 - 05.2022
Student Recovery Assistant
OUR House Gonzaga University
01.2021 - 05.2021
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Psychology
Gonzaga University