Open to opportunities

Donna OHara

@donnaohara

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Compassionate behavioral health clinician specializing in crisis support and stabilization.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a patient-centered behavioral health role where I can support safety and stabilization in crisis situations, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and apply de-escalation, structured documentation, and family-focused care.

I’m a compassionate behavioral health and psychology professional with hands-on experience supporting individuals and families across emergency, counseling, educational, and community-based settings. I focus on behavioral stabilization through careful observation, therapeutic communication, and crisis intervention.

In my current role as a Behavioral Health Emergency Department Associate, I monitor patients to ensure safety and therapeutic support, including 15-minute safety checks for patients on legal hold. I observe behaviors, cognition, emotional responses, and mood changes, then document findings in Epic and support psychiatric crisis response alongside nurses and physicians.

Previously, I served as a Counseling Senior Intern, where I completed supervised consultations, client intakes, and psychological and behavioral assessments, providing individual and telehealth counseling. I maintained structured clinical documentation and reviewed client progress during weekly supervision to strengthen treatment planning and interventions.

Across earlier roles—Behavior Aid, Certified Peer Parent Support, and Paraprofessional/Behavioral Support—I helped families with behavioral interventions, wraparound support, and community resource navigation while participating in Child and Family Team meetings to ensure family voice and advocacy. I also bring a coaching and publication background (author and life coach) centered on emotional wellness, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and healthy boundaries.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Behavioral Health ED Associate

Current

WellStar Health System

Jan 2024 - Present (2 years 5 months)

Monitored behavioral health patients in the emergency department to support safety, stabilization, and therapeutic interventions. Conducted 15-minute safety checks for patients on legal hold, observed behavioral changes, assisted during psychiatric crises, and maintained Epic documentation.

Crisis Intervention Clinical Documentation Epic EMR

Counseling Senior Intern

Simplicity Psychotherapy

Jan 2022 - May 2023 (1 year 4 months)

Provided supervised individual and telehealth counseling and participated in client intakes and psychological/behavioral assessments. Maintained clinical documentation and discussed progress during weekly supervision meetings to support treatment planning.

Psychological & Behavioral Assessments Telehealth Counseling Clinical Documentation Therapeutic Documentation (BIRP SOAP Treatment Planning

Behavior Aid

Deturman Positive Impact

Nov 2020 - Jan 2022 (1 year 2 months)

Assisted families with emotional support, behavioral interventions, and coping strategies while facilitating clinical parenting classes. Supported structured visits, transported children to appointments, and conducted non-regulated and federal-regulated drug testing per federal guidelines.

Parenting Class Support Behavioral Interventions Emotional Support Coping Strategies Drug Testing Family Support

Family Recovery Support Specialist

FAVOR Certified Peer Parent Support

Apr 2014 - Aug 2020 (6 years 4 months)

Served as a peer support liaison between families and providers to improve communication and support recovery. Participated in Child and Family Team meetings, delivered wraparound support and encouragement, and helped families navigate behavioral health and substance use resources.

Community Navigation Behavioral Health Support

Paraprofessional / Behavioral Support

CHRIS 180

Jun 2011 - Apr 2017 (5 years 10 months)

Supported youth and families experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges through behavior management planning and coping-skill development. Modeled emotional regulation strategies for caregivers, coordinated with therapists and treatment teams, and helped clients build social skills and manage emotional stress.

Behavior Plans Emotional Regulation Modeling Emotional Social Skills

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Liberty University

Master of Arts, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Grade: GPA 3.66, Magna Cum Laude

Activities and societies: Chi Sigma Iota; SCLA; National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS); American Counseling Association (ACA)

Earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP), graduating May 2023 with CPCE pending. Achieved a 3.66 GPA and Magna Cum Laude with relevant coursework in assessment, psychopathology, crisis intervention, and counseling techniques.

Argosy University

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

Grade: GPA 3.70, Magna Cum Laude

Activities and societies: Master’s Accelerated Program (MAPS); National Honor Society; NSCS

Completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in October 2018, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a 3.70 GPA. Participated in academic honor societies including NSCS.