DEBORAH BURKE

To inspire clients from all walks of life to flourish by applying an integrated, strengths-based counseling approach. To employ trauma-informed, evidence-based therapeutic models such as person-centered therapy, narrative therapy, and solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), with grace and humor. To continually expand my knowledge by engaging in professional development opportunities, with an emphasis on trauma, families, and the wide variety of mental health issues faced within the lifespan of childhood into adulthood.

• University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), MA, Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling track), 67, 73, Earned Entry into Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society for Counseling, Dr. and Mrs. Chuck Holt Counseling Scholarship, Lois L. Honeywell & Clayton D. Honeywell Endowed Scholarship, 2024-05-01
• Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, BS, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Graduated Summa Cum Laude, 2002-12-01

• NCE (National Counselor Examination), Passed, 2023-11-01
• CPCE (Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination), Passed, 2023-11-01

• Resiliency Therapist, AllHealth Network, Denver, Colorado, 2024-06-01, Present, Provides psychotherapy as an LPCC (Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate), to a diverse group of children and adolescents within a nonprofit community mental health center, utilizing a strengths-based Rogerian philosophy, delivering the true definition of unconditional positive regard, eliminating judgement, and recognizing and appreciating everyone’s worldview. Excels at delivering quality therapeutic services, such as client-centered play therapy, music or drawing combined with narrative therapy, and other integrative approaches specific to each client’s needs. Practices inclusivity, with specific focus on the LGBTQ+ community, those on the autism spectrum, and those with ADHD.
• Counseling Internship, Nonpaid, Downing Counseling Clinic, University of Nevada, Reno, 2023-01-01, 2024-05-01, Successfully counseled a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students who presented with a variety of mental health needs. Employed a strengths-based approach with a client experiencing severe major depressive disorder accompanied by seasonal affective disorder. By their 7th session, they downgraded their depression from a '7 plus,' on a 10-point scale (10 being extremely depressed), to a 'low 2.' Client and counseling intern had developed strong rapport by bonding over their common love for music, poetry, and philosophy.
• Counseling Internship, Paid, The Boys & Girls Club, Reno, Nevada, 2023-06-01, 2024-05-01, Provided client-centered play therapy to individual children, as well as groups. Studied trauma-specific parts work applicable to children from Synergetic Play Therapy. Applied it with amazing results. Led group called 'The Friendly Club,' with an achieved goal of progressing each member in social and emotional skills related to friend-making. We called the members of this group 'citizens within a kingdom,' where students created their own rules, and helped each other reinforce them. Upon graduation from this group, members reflected on lessons learned, with one child stating, and another agreeing, that they came to understand that they are, indeed, 'good [children].'
• Graduate Research Assistant / Project Research Assistant, Paid, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada, 2022-03-01, 2024-08-01, Researched evidence-based mental health wellness scholarly articles and other materials, as part of a small, select, 'Farm Stress' team, coordinated by Dr. Brenda Freeman, former Professor of Counseling/Cooperative Education. Findings became the basis for published materials including conference hand-outs, co-authorship on farm stress articles, and the production of a documentary short film entitled 'Grounded in Family.'

Excellent references upon request.