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April Sotelo Mills
kyle3x3@aol.com ♦ 229 1st Ave N Apt. # 302 Seattle WA 98109 ♦ 425-478-3101
Adoption Position
Empathy ♦ Empowerment ♦ Enlightenment
Anyone who has studied attachment theories understands that a child can make effective attachments with warmth and structure guiding the parenting principles. Competency, consistency, and room for curiosity foster healthy psychological, emotional and even physical development. Though not every child is provided these basic components of positive mental and social stimulation every child is open to learning how to develop attachments. I want to be a part of that miracle.
At Western Washington University in Bellingham I was drawn to courses like Developmental Psychology, Psychology of Child Rearing, Child Development and Education. During my last year of college I volunteered in the Childrens Program for Whatcom Crisis Center and for the Department for Social and Health Services as a CPS childcare provider.
After graduation I was employed as a Classified Lead Teacher for a homeless/transitional daycare center, TomorrowҒs Hope in Everett. I worked there for a year and a half before applying to graduate school. It was at Tomorrows Hope I learned more about what I wanted to do with my educational goals and career; I wanted to work with entire families, I wanted to provide parenting skills and support, I wanted to validated the parents and console the children both. So I applied and was accepted to Seattle Pacific University in their School of Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program in 2003.
At the beginning of 2003 I worked as a Cased Aide for DSHS. Supervising visitations between a child taken by CPS and the parent was a sad reality but it was very fulfilling just to be a part of the reunification process. I could not stay long because I was starting my internship as a Psychotherapist Intern for Highline Mental Health Center in West Seattle. There I administered couple, individual, parent, family and child/play therapy for two years. Some of my clients were going through divorce and other life transitions. Some were of single parent households, grandparents as primary and legal guardians, and a few were adopted.
One of my favorite clients was adopted. He was so insightful and open. He understood what happened and was still trying to adjust to it all. He had younger siblings, twins that were not adopted. The complicated feelings of abandonment, separation, self-esteem, anger, lack of control, fear of the unknown, commitment from oneself or others. On top of other issues of prepubescent development, cultural awareness (he was half Hispanic, half Caucasian) and school. I felt he and others like him were exactly why I went into the social service field. I loved sharing with this boy why he was so great. It was easy to be sincere with him because I could find strengths so easily. Unfortunately I had to leave when I graduated with my M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy.
I was later employed by the Institute for Family Development (IFD) as an In-Home Functional Family Therapist. Consequently the driving was too much for me, (Bothell to Bonny Lake), and my new husband and I thought we were moving out of state so I left IFD. Because we did not move I have been seeking employment in Seattle that would satisfy my calling to assist families in life transitions. Being an advocate for adoption I was very excited to find your posting on Craigslist. Reviewing your website inspired me and I know I would be a great asset to your organization because of my initiative and my staff support skills. I have an easy sense of humor and professional poise. I have innate abilities in developing rapport with both children and adults. Please consider my resume for an interview soon,
Thanks,
April Mills MS
Marriage and Family Therapy
April Sotelo Mills
kyle3x3@aol.com ♦ 229 1st Ave N Apt. # 302 Seattle WA 98109 ♦ 425-478-3101
Domestic Child Adoption Coordinator
Competency ♦ Consistency ♦ Curiosity
EDUCATION
Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA. 2006
M.S. Marriage & Family Therapy
Relevant course work includes: Ethical Issues & Crisis Intervention; Abusive Systems; Ecology of the Family; Group Psychotherapy; Multicultural Issues; Gender Perspectives
Western Washington University Bellingham, WA. 2001
B.A. General Studies; Psychology Minor
Relevant Courses: Developmental Psych.; Psychology of Child Rearing; Child Development and Education; Trends of Literature child/young adult; Physiology Psych.
EXPERIENCE
FAMILY THERAPIST Institute for Family Development, Seattle WA. 2006 Җ 2007
administered Functional Family Therapy
Օ networking of social workers, CPS and school counselors
utilized computer programs relevant to office, program management and data entry
PSYCHOTHERAPIST Intern Highline Mental Health Center, Seattle WA. 2004 Ֆ 2006
administered couple, individual, parent, family, child/play therapy
Օ assessed behavioral and medical Treatment Plan to the criteria of the DSM IV
utilized computer programs applicable to documentation and case management
CASE AIDE Department of Health and Social Services, Seattle, WA. 2003 Ֆ 2004
supervised visitations of client and parent
Օ transported children under CPS care to visitations
duplicated and filed client cases; used computer programs relevant for duties
CLASSIFIED LEAD TEACHER TomorrowՒs Hope, Everett, WA. 2001 2003
֕ structured and implemented classroom curriculum, activities, events and projects
supervised aides and 28 children ages 5 Ֆ 12 yo
maintained safety and exercised emotional management
VOLUNTEER
PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support): Group Facilitator 2006
Department of Social and Health Services: CPS Childcare Provider 2000 Ֆ 2001
Whatcom Crisis Services: Supervised Volunteers; organized activities. 2000 2001
St. Brendan֒s Catholic Church: Teen Group Leader; Confirmation Mentor. 1994 1996
Registered Counselor: State of Washington, Health Professions Quality Assurance
AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy) Associate
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