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Case Study

My case study is on David, a sophomore in a low-poverty, middle-class socioeconomic area. David is a 15-year old, heterosexual, Hispanic student who lives with his mother and sister. He speaks English and Spanish; his mother speaks primarily Spanish. He has an unstable living situation, and is home insecure. He is chronically tardy and absent, and he struggles academically; this is consistent with his friend group. My case study takes a holistic, person-centered approach to provide resources and support to David to promote his overall well-being. Within the case study, I examine his risk and protective factors, evaluate justice and fairness as a source of wellness, take a restorative approach, examine the impact of trauma and resilience, implement trauma-informed practices, discuss college and career readiness as an opportunity to promote wellbeing and facilitate critical hope, as well as use asset mapping to empower David and take a strength-based approach and create a plan for David moving forward.

About Me

I completed my undergraduate studies at University of California, Riverside with a BA in Philosophy, and am a current student at USC School of Rossier working to obtain my Master of Education, School Counseling degree. My background in education began in college as a tutor and then as an RBT for a private ABA company and a speech pathology clinic, where I worked with students in schools, home, and clinical settings. Here, I developed a passion for equity and inclusion and while working at several school sites, became aware of the disparities in schools. 

I moved into Torrance USD as a paraprofessional and an ASSISTT (Autism Spectrum Services Inclusions Support - Torrance Team) substitute, before moving into my current role as an Office Assistant in the Attendance and Dean's Offices at Torrance High School. In my position, I was able to watch the dean of students--who has a background in school counseling--support students and take a restorative approach to discipline, which inspired me to pursue school counseling. During distance learning, a large part of my job in attendance was outreach, providing resources and options to disengaged students and families, which I enjoyed. During my fieldwork placements and my experience as a temporary school counselor, I have enjoyed working with students one-on-one, and in group settings, and aiding them with their academic, college and career, and social-emotional needs, as well as working with the school counselors to support and uphold the administration and district vision. 

When working with students, I take a holistic approach and aim to empower students and enhance overall wellbeing. I have experience working with students K-12 at all levels, but have focused on elementary and high school levels through fieldwork and practicum experience. I incorporate elements of multiple theoretical approaches, including humanistic/person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy to provide students with an equitable and individualized experience in a brief meeting. I take a strength-based and solution-focused approach during sessions. My goal is to meet the needs of students and equip them with tools and resources that will lead to success.