Alishia Portas
Scunthorpe,North Lincolnshire
Summary
Dedicated counselling professional with experience in therapeutic counselling and integrative approaches. Proven ability to set professional boundaries, document client records, and track client progress effectively whilst managing own client-base. Demonstrates emotional resilience and self-awareness, with over 100 hours of one-to-one counselling experience, including work with neurodivergence, emotional / physical abuse, grief, relationship issues, anxiety and depression. Experienced in client autonomy, crisis support, suicide awareness and safeguarding procedures, with a strong focus on confidentiality and cultural competency. Exhibits a strong focus on the core conditions, authenticity and being professionally ethical. Holds Mental Health First Aid Training and is a member of the BACP, committed to promoting mental health awareness and disability support. Career goals include advancing expertise in trauma, PTSD and relationship difficulties while continuing to provide empathetic and non-judgemental support to diverse client groups.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Crisis Support Worker
North Lincolnshire Mind
Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire
04.2025 - Current
- Actively listen to service-users, ensuring they feel heard at all times.
- Assist in maintaining a clean environment for service-users and other staff members.
- Enhance the well-being of the service-users by providing emotional support and gentle encouragement.
- Complete housekeeping tasks resulting in a clean, safe environment.
- Maintain detailed records of service-user behaviour changes for healthcare team reference.
- Assist with medication according to schedule, promoting service-user independence.
- Promote mental stimulation through conversations, engaging with arts & crafts and other interests of the service-users such as baking or cooking.
- Participate in regular team meetings, enhancing quality of care provided.
- Use excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage and interact with service-users in need.
- Monitoring and documenting service-user behaviours, activities and development, aiding appropriate care plan management.
- Promoting personal well-being and independence, building service-users' confidence through social interaction.
- Establishing and maintaining working relationships with service-users based on trust, empathy and non-judgement.
- Listening to service-users' current struggles to signpost relevant support.
- Collaboration with external support providers to maintain good care continuity.
Volunteer Counsellor
Ongo Recruitment
Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire
09.2023 - 03.2025
- Developed personalised coping strategies for improved mental health.
- Fostered a safe environment where clients could express themselves freely, resulting in trust building.
- Utilised reflective practice to improve counselling skills continuously.
- Enhanced understanding of personal issues through psycho-education methods for better awareness.
- Adopting an integrated approach to tailor sessions for individual client needs.
- Using CBT, Person-centred and psycho-dynamic counselling approaches when appropriate.
- Maintained confidentiality of client information; demonstrating professional ethics and respect.
- Helped clients manage difficult life events using problem-solving techniques, helping them regain control over their lives.
- Assisted clients in exploring feelings with active listening techniques.
- Advised on resources available within the community, enabling access to additional support systems if needed.
- Attended regular supervision meetings for continuous learning and professional development.
- Facilitated positive change by devising action plans collaboratively with clients.
- Increased client comfort by providing empathetic and nonjudgmental listening.
- Upheld ethical standards outlined by British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, ensuring credibility and integrity at all times.
- Provided emotional support, leading to increased self-esteem among clients.
- Strengthened rapport with diverse clientele using culturally sensitive counselling approach.
- Offered crisis intervention strategies during critical incidents, thus reducing harm risk.
- Encouraged self-care habits amongst clients contributing towards overall well-being.
- Liaised with other professionals when necessary to ensure comprehensive support system for the client's needs.
- Participated in outreach activities promoting importance of mental health within the community.
- Kept accurate record of sessions as per regulatory guidelines ensuring accountability and transparency.
- Helped clients to uncover strengths and growth-focused achievements to promote self-esteem and confidence.
- Built strong and trusting rapport with diverse client base to offer supportive resources.
- Complied with strict ethical guidelines to provide compassionate and empathetic support.
- Educated clients in grounding techniques and emotional regulation to provide continuous support.
- Maintained accurate and updated client records in company database, complying with privacy and data security requirements.
- Empowered clients to explore new ways of thinking and alternative options to difficult situations.
- Safeguarded client confidentiality, respect and privacy related to services and records management.
- Showed sensitivity, confidentiality and respect towards clients' needs, providing safe environment for clients accessing services.
- Managed own client-base independently, with regular reviews from clinical mentor / lead counsellor.
Team Leader - Bar
Appleby Frodingham Sports & Social Club
Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire
02.2022 - 12.2022
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Supported team by demonstrating respect and willingness to help.
- Worked flexible hours, covering nights, weekends and bank holidays.
- Consistently arrived at work on time and ready to start immediately.
- Displayed energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Organised stock inventory to prevent shortages during peak hours.
- Maintained clean premises, promoting a welcoming atmosphere for patrons.
- Adhered to licensing regulations, maintaining the reputation of the establishment.
- Managed cash flow, ensuring correct transaction procedures were followed.
- Maintained bar stocks, replenishing daily as necessary.
- Changed beer kegs safely and efficiently, consistently following health and hygiene guidelines.
- Performed bar closing duties, thoroughly cleaning, sanitising and replenishing stock.
- Thoroughly cleaned bar areas, delivering positive first impressions to guests and maintaining impeccable hygiene standards.
- Collected cash payments, processing and providing correct change and receipts using Point Of Sale (POS) systems.
- Created visually appealing drink displays, enticing customers to try cocktail offerings to grow profits.
- Completed accurate end-of-day financial routines for cash and card transactions.
Waitress
Whitbread PLC
Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire
09.2017 - 02.2022
- Advanced team efficiency by assisting in training new staff members.
- Ensured compliance with health regulations through effective cleaning practices in the dining area.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure order accuracy.
- Ensured smooth restaurant operation by effectively managing reservations system.
- Showcased extensive knowledge of menu items, heightened customer decision making.
- Accommodated special event needs, provided customised services for parties.
- Executed food and drink orders accurately to improve customer satisfaction rates.
- Met special dietary requests with careful preparation and presentation of dishes.
- Managed table settings for enhanced dining experience.
- Provided recommendations on specials or seasonal offerings for increased sales revenue.
- Maintained clean and organised dining area for customer comfort.
- Handled cash transactions accurately, ensured balanced till at end of shift.
- Maintained excellent level of service in busy and demanding restaurant environment.
- Warmly greeted guests upon arrival to create welcoming atmosphere.
- Regularly communicated with kitchen and bar staff to maintain smooth front of house operations, minimising potential service delays.
- Greeted and escorted guests to tables.
- Checked in with customers during meals to check orders were received correctly and met guests' expectations.
- Performed bar closing duties, thoroughly cleaning, sanitising and replenishing stock.
- Resolved guest complaints promptly and professionally, notifying restaurant management of concerns.
- Assisted kitchen staff with food prep, dishwashing and plating food.
- Memorised complete menu and offered guests knowledgeable suggestions.
- Increased order value by upselling sides, drinks and desserts.
- Checked customer IDs to confirm age before selling age-restricted products.
- Helped bar staff prepare garnishes and mix cocktails during busy bar periods.
- Enhanced guest satisfaction through attentive and prompt service.
- Demonstrated excellent multitasking abilities for timely delivery of orders.
- Utilised professional communication skills to resolve customer complaints.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Integrative Counselling
University of Hull
UCNL Scunthorpe 09.2022 -
A-Levels -
John Leggott College
Scunthorpe 09.2015 - 05.2017
GCSEs -
Winterton Community Academy
Winterton 09.2013 - 06.2015
Skills
- Therapeutic counselling
- Integrative approach
- Boundary setting
- Case documentation
- Emotional resilience
- Tracking client progress
- Self-awareness
- Empathetic
- Telephone counselling
- Mental Health First Aid Training (2 days)
- Member of BACP
- 100 hours of 1-1 counselling experience
- Counselling in the community
- Experience with neurodivergence
- Effective communication skills
- Children & Young People training (2 days)
- Introduction to Trauma (3 CPD hours)
- Understanding Trauma & PTSD (6 CPD hours)
- Narcissistic Abuse Awareness training (3 CPD hours)
- Grief counselling
- 1-to-1 counselling
- Prisoner counselling
- Relationship counselling
- Suicide risk assessment
- Crisis support
- Health & Safety
- Guest university lectures
- Goals setting assistance
- Confidentiality focused
- Cultural competency
- Empathetic listening
- Safeguarding procedures
- Mental health awareness
- Disability support
- GDPR compliance knowledge
- Time efficiency
- Cultural awareness
- Records keeping
- Counselling ethics knowledge
- Depression and anxiety management
- Self-Care practices
- Building rapport
- Stress management techniques
- Person-centred counselling
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Sexual abuse support
- Non-Judgemental listening
- Resilience to stress
- Anxiety management expertise
- Client-Centred approach
- Self-Harm prevention techniques
Affiliations
- Health & Fitness
- Hiking
- Travelling
- Professional Development
Certification
Understanding Trauma & PTSD (6 CPD hours) - Provider: MindBodyBreakthrough
Introduction to Trauma (3 CPD hours) - Provider: Paula Smythe
Narcissistic Abuse Awareness (3 CPD hours) - Provider: Beverley Jayne Spicer
Mental Health First Aid Training (2 days CPD) Provider: North Lincolnshire Mind
Counselling Children & Young People (2 days CPD) Provider: John Bradley
Timeline
Crisis Support Worker
North Lincolnshire Mind
04.2025 - Current
Volunteer Counsellor
Ongo Recruitment
09.2023 - 03.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Integrative Counselling
University of Hull
09.2022 -
Team Leader - Bar
Appleby Frodingham Sports & Social Club
02.2022 - 12.2022
Waitress
Whitbread PLC
09.2017 - 02.2022
A-Levels -
John Leggott College
09.2015 - 05.2017
GCSEs -
Winterton Community Academy
09.2013 - 06.2015
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