Kayleigh Firmin
Lake Charles
Summary
Compassionate and reliable Mental Health Specialist with hands-on experience providing structured psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) services to children, adolescents, and adults. Skilled in applying Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-based interventions, including emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness, to support clients managing anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. Known for creating supportive, strengths-based environments that promote self-awareness, daily coping skills, and behavioral growth. Currently completing a Master of Social Work (MSW) with an expected graduation of June 2026 and actively seeking opportunities in Washington State, with full relocation planned upon graduation. Dedicated to ethical care, clinical documentation, and collaborative, client-centered treatment.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
2018
2018
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Mental Health Specialist
Cognitive Development Center
Lake Charles
07.2022 - Current
- Engaged in continuous professional development to stay informed about best practices in mental health counseling.
- Conducted outreach programs to raise awareness about mental health issues in the community.
- Applied knowledge of psychopharmacology to understand the impact of medications on clients' mental health.
- Sought supervision and consultation when faced with complex cases or ethical dilemmas.
- Implemented cognitive-behavioral techniques to help clients manage anxiety and depression.
- Advocated for clients' access to community resources and support services.
- Utilized motivational interviewing techniques to encourage clients' engagement in their recovery process.
- Conducted one-on-one counseling sessions to support clients' mental health needs.
- Prepared detailed reports summarizing client sessions, outcomes, and recommendations for further care.
- Maintained confidential client records, adhering to ethical guidelines and privacy laws.
- Navigated challenging conversations with empathy and professionalism, building trust with clients.
- Educated families about mental health disorders and coping strategies to support their loved ones.
- Monitored clients' progress and adjusted treatment plans as necessary for optimal outcomes.
- Used relaxation techniques and exercises as part of therapeutic interventions for stress reduction.
- Helped clients develop coping skills to deal with specific triggers and stressful events.
- Managed caseload of 24 clients providing comprehensive services, holistic behavioral techniques and interventions that reduced client barriers.
- Advocated for clients to obtain new services and coordinated necessary referrals.
- Assisted in crisis intervention, ensuring immediate support for clients in distress.
- Documented client progress and maintained accurate records according to legal standards.
- Engaged with families to provide resources and support for mental health challenges.
- Monitored and evaluated treatment effectiveness, adjusting strategies as needed.
- Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans tailored to the needs of each client.
- Adhered to HIPAA confidentiality requirements by safeguarding files.
- Referred clients to external resources for additional support.
- Participated in regular team meetings with other clinicians to discuss cases and review treatment plans.
- Advised families on how best to support their loved ones who are struggling with mental illness.
- Managed caseloads by providing ongoing assessment of client's needs throughout the course of treatment.
- Evaluated clients' responses to treatments and adjusted interventions accordingly.
- Maintained accurate records of all sessions, including case notes and progress reports.
- Assisted in developing action plans for individuals at risk of suicide or self-harm behaviors.
- Assessed the need for medication management services based upon client's presenting symptoms.
- Educated clients about healthy lifestyle choices, self-care strategies, and relapse prevention methods.
- Collaborated with other professionals to coordinate optimal care for clients.
- Utilized evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy in clinical settings.
- Monitored clients' progress toward meeting their therapeutic goals.
- Worked closely with community organizations to identify potential resources for clients.
- Delivered individual therapy sessions focusing on symptom reduction and behavior modification techniques.
- Performed research related to mental health diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes.
- Provided case management services to ensure continuity of care across multiple settings.
- Assisted clients in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to change and removing bad habits.
- Performed research tasks to increase knowledge of human behavior and performance.
- Met with probation officers and police to exchange necessary information during treatment process.
- Prepared and maintained required treatment records and reports.
- Assisted individuals with stress management, self-esteem and issues associated with emotional and mental health.
- Guided clients in developing skills or strategies for dealing with problems.
Optician
Sam's Club Optical
Lake Charles
10.2017 - 07.2022
- Conducted comprehensive vision tests using specialized optical equipment.
- Assisted customers in selecting optimal eyewear solutions and frame styles.
- Managed inventory of eyeglasses, lenses, and related optical supplies.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a clean, organized workspace.
- Processed insurance claims and coordinated patient billing accurately.
- Trained new staff on customer service protocols and product knowledge.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations in all optical operations.
- Investigated and resolved customer complaints and adjusted and repaired customer eyewear.
- Stocked and restocked merchandise, maintained inventory, cleaned and straightened displays and entire store and processed defective, spoiled and cannibalized frames.
- Scheduled appointments, verified insurance coverage, maintained accurate patient records and assisted with preliminary testing.
- Inspected finished eyeglasses to conform to company's quality check process and verified proper fit to customer satisfaction.
- Sold and recommended eyewear products, merchandise and services in retail and clinical settings in order to drive company revenue and meet customer needs.
- Maintained accurate records of all transactions in computer system.
- Assisted customers with selecting frames and lenses that best suited their needs.
- Calculated measurements for eyewear using optical measuring devices.
- Greeted patients warmly upon arrival at office or store location.
- Provided information on lens types, frame styles and materials, lens coatings, and accessories.
- Instructed patients on insertion, removal, cleaning, care and proper handling of contact lenses.
- Ordered stock from suppliers based on customer orders.
- Collected customer measurements such as bridge, eye size, temple length, seg heights, vertex distance, pupillary distance and pantoscopic tilt.
- Processed payments for products purchased by customers.
- Dispensed contact lenses upon completion of fitting process.
- Explained the benefits of various types of eyewear protection options such as anti-glare coating or UV protection.
- Adjusted eyewear for proper fit and comfort level.
- Repaired broken frames using specialty tools and equipment.
- Monitored patient progress while wearing new lenses or frames.
- Provided recommendations on eye care products including cleaning solutions and lens cases.
- Educated patients about proper use of corrective eyewear, lifestyle habits, diet, exercise, which can affect vision health.
- Coordinated office bookkeeping, reporting and communication with customers and vendors and maintained office equipment.
- Performed basic vision screenings to determine patient's prescription needs.
- Participated in continuing education courses related to optometry technology advances.
- Conducted follow-up calls to ensure customer satisfaction with purchase.
- Took specific facial measurements, including optical centers of eyes, pupillary distance and temple length.
- Maintained records of prescriptions, orders and payments.
- Instructed customers on how to care for, insert and remove contact lenses.
- Used hands, heat and tools to bend and shape frames to fit customer's face.
- Repaired and adjusted frames to meet customer needs.
- Heated, shaped, or bent metal or plastic frames to fit eyeglasses to client.
- Educated clients on proper lens care and eye health maintenance practices.
Sales Floor Associate, Electronics
Walmart
Lake Charles
10.2011 - 10.2017
- Assisted customers in selecting electronics and answering product inquiries.
- Maintained organized displays to enhance product visibility and accessibility.
- Processed transactions efficiently at the point of sale system.
- Restocked merchandise and ensured shelves were fully stocked throughout the day.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a clean and safe shopping environment.
- Provided technical support for customers regarding electronic devices and accessories.
- Trained new associates on store policies and customer service standards.
- Monitored inventory levels and reported discrepancies to management promptly.
- Stocked shelves with merchandise according to company guidelines.
- Assisted customers with product selection, purchase decisions, and payment processing.
- Identified theft attempts by monitoring suspicious behavior or individuals within the store premises.
- Operated cash register accurately while providing excellent customer service.
- Organized displays to make the store attractive for customers.
- Demonstrated use of electronic equipment to customers when needed.
- Handled all returns promptly and professionally according to company policy.
- Attended team meetings as required for updates on new products or changes in policies.
- Provided detailed product information to customers on features, benefits, warranties, and availability of products.
- Participated in training sessions related to customer service techniques or product knowledge.
- Collaborated with other departments such as marketing or warehouse staff as necessary.
- Verified accuracy of inventory records through periodic cycle counts or physical inventories.
- Adhered to safety protocols at all times during work hours.
- Provided excellent customer service by greeting customers, responding to inquiries, and resolving complaints.
- Monitored stock levels throughout the day and re-stocked shelves when needed.
- Responded quickly to customer inquiries and complaints in a friendly manner.
- Greeted customers and provided assistance in locating merchandise.
- Maintained cleanliness of the store by vacuuming carpets, dusting shelves, sweeping floors.
- Ensured that items were properly priced before placing them on the sales floor.
- Completed customer's purchase by effectively processing credit and debit cards, cash, and personal checks.
- Searched store inventory system to determine whether requested products were available.
- Engaged positively with each customer, providing professional, and polite support for sales and service needs.
- Welcomed customers, offered to help locate items and suggested merchandise without being intrusive or pushy.
- Kept calm and applied strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts.
- Arranged merchandise for display to highlight new styles, attract customers, and enhance sales.
- Calculated pricing, applied discounts, and collected payments to process transactions.
- Maintained current knowledge of special savings, sales, promotions and other offerings to enhance customer support.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
- Worked with off-site locations to find desired items for customers.
- Educated customers on various product offerings, including products, enabling better buying decisions.
- Provided expert advice on the latest electronic devices, including features, benefits, and usage.
- Assisted customers in selecting and purchasing electronic products based on their needs and specifications.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of inventory, including new arrivals, product specifications, and stock levels.
- Assisted in inventory management, including stock checks, reordering, and receiving shipments.
- Handled customer inquiries and complaints with professionalism, providing solutions that enhance satisfaction.
- Tracked sales targets and contributed to achieving monthly sales goals through effective customer engagement.
- Collaborated with the team to organize promotional events and product demonstrations, increasing store traffic and sales.
- Engaged with suppliers and vendors to resolve product issues, ensuring customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Maintained cleanliness and orderliness of the sales floor, ensuring a pleasant shopping environment.
- Contributed to the store's social media channels by promoting products and special offers, increasing online engagement and sales.
- Managed product displays, ensuring items are well-organized, visible, and labeled correctly.
- Demonstrated product functionalities and features to customers, ensuring clarity and understanding.
Education
Masters of Social Work
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ 09.2023 - 06.2026
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA 08.2016 - 05.2022
Alfred M. Barbe High School
Lake Charles, LASkills
- Cognitive behavioral techniques
- Case management
- Client advocacy
- Interpersonal communication
- Crisis intervention
- Progress monitoring
- Resilience strengthening
- Self-esteem building
- Stress management strategies
- Self-harm prevention
- Anger management techniques
- Confidential records
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder management
- Bipolar disorder treatment
- Communication skills enhancement
- Life transition support
- Safety and risk assessments
- Building rapport
- Treatment Planning
- Schizophrenia management
- Relaxation techniques teaching
- Tracking client progress
- Client goal planning
- Mindfulness practice promotion
- Grief and loss counseling
- Suicide prevention
- Parenting skills training
- Goal setting and achievement
- Child and adolescent therapy
- Case documentation
- Empathy development
- Assertiveness training
- Problem-solving skills development
- Depression management
- Time management strategies
- Behavior modification
- Discharge planning
- Bipolar disorder management
- Motivational interviewing
- Evidence-based therapy
- Behavioral assessment
- Sexual assault support
- Self-care promotion
Timeline
Masters of Social Work
Grand Canyon University
09.2023 - 06.2026
Mental Health Specialist
Cognitive Development Center
07.2022 - Current
Optician
Sam's Club Optical
10.2017 - 07.2022
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
McNeese State University
08.2016 - 05.2022
Sales Floor Associate, Electronics
Walmart
10.2011 - 10.2017
Alfred M. Barbe High School