Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Expert Witness

HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

Since 2004, I have provided vocational rehabilitation counseling, placement, and consulting services to individuals with disabilities in a variety of employment settings, including: the private sectors and academic sector.   Experienced in case management, educational and career counseling, vocational evaluation (including administering and interpreting of vocational tests), job analyses, labor market surveys, wage earning capacity, vocational plan development and monitoring, job development and job placement utilizing demographic and nationwide statistics, ergonomic recommendations, job accommodations, and program management.  

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

11/04 – Present:  Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant
     HALL ASSOCIATES – San Diego, CA
In over 300 evaluations, provide counseling, assessment, diminished earning capacity evaluations, assistive technology and accommodation evaluations and consulting services to clients in various employment, disability and legal systems including Workers’ Compensation, personal injury, employment law, marital law, and long term disability.  Conduct research using transferable skills analysis tools and local and national data and individualized survey methods.   Extensive experience in administer and analysis of aptitude, achievement, interest/values, and work sample assessment. Skilled in vocational rehabilitation report writing.  Qualified expert in Superior Court.

10/10 – Present:  Vocational Expert
     SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION – San Diego,  CA
Provide vocational expert evaluation and testimony in over 500 cases for Office of Hearings and Appeals, Social Security Administration.  Conduct transfer of skills analysis and apply labor market and wage research and statistics.  

1/09 – 6/14:  Director, Vocational Evaluation Center
     THE WORK CENTER – San Diego,  CA
Provide career and vocational evaluation services.  Vocational evaluation testing includes interests, personality, aptitude and academic assessments. Other areas of specialty are functional capacity screenings, assistive technology and job accommodation evaluation and occupational analysis. Oversee staff and budget needs.

6/14 – present          Adjunct Faculty
10/09 -1/10:  SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY – San Diego,  CA
7/12-10/12:  (In partner with the University of North Texas)
Develop curriculum, lectures, and assessments. Provide course instruction, guidance and support to students of the SDSU Rehabilitation Counseling Program.  Post introduction to weekly topic,
facilitate discussion topics, grade assignments and address questions regarding course
material or syllabus.

5/07 – 12/07:  Learning Disability Specialist Technician
SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE, DISABILITY SERVICES – San Diego, CA
Work directly with the Learning Disability Specialist in managing over 100 student files.  Administer and analysis of achievement test.  Provide vocational and academic counseling to students with disabilities.  

1/07 – 5/07:  Rehabilitation Technology Technician 
SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE, HIGH TECH CENTER– San Diego, CA
Provided direct support to the Associate Professor of the High Tech Center.  Advised students with disabilities on the best use and practices for adaptive devices including adapted computer software, speech to text software, low vision devices, and alternate media.  Tutored students with disabilities in math, language and English skills.  

9/02 – 11/04:  Rehabilitation Consultant Technician
HALL ASSOCIATES– San Diego, CA
Executive assistant and intern to the Senior Rehabilitation Consultants.  Completed record review, literature review, transfer of skills analysis and wage and labor market surveys. Extensive use of medical and legal terms and definitions.  

 

FORMAL EDUCATION

2014   Ph.D. – Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Psychology with Specialization in Industrial Organizational Psychology 
CAPELLA UNIVERSITY – Minneapolis, MN

2008   Masters of Science, Rehabilitation Counseling with a Specialization in Rehabilitation Technology
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY – San Diego, CA

2007   Certificate of Completion in Rehabilitation Technology
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY – San Diego, CA

2005   Bachelors of Science, Recreation Therapy
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY – San Diego, CA

 

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

•    Board Member at Large and Education Chair for CA Chapter –  International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, 2010-2012

 

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS 

•    Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) since 2008
•    Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE), since 2007
•    Certificate of Completion for Rehabilitation Technology, since 2007

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS

•    International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals
•    Vocational Evaluation and Careers Assessment Professional Organization