Laura Daniela Vesga
Summary
Bilingual child psychologist and master's candidate. Experience providing support to patients and clients in challenging situations through different channels. Skilled in communicating effectively complex messages to different audiences. Resilient to difficult circumstances while keeping my motivation of making a world where all children have well-being and are safeguarded.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certification
Work history
Youth Worker
Extra Time
Brighton, England
2023.02 - 2023.08
- Directed activities that promoted growth in mental, emotional and educational areas for children with SEND.
- Maintained awareness of child protection issues and established procedures.
- Used clinical and behavioural knowledge to maintain safety during crisis moments.
- Worked with youth program team members to address challenges and promote resolution.
Community psychologist
Selia
Bogota D.C., Colombia
2021.06 - 2022.08
- Assisted patient enquiries through creative thinking and functional analysis focused on providing effective solutions.
- Designed and implemented a mental health program able to adapt to the different social and cultural needs of people from Colombia and Mexico which increased by 40% the user's participation
- Managed sensitive information and assessed the risk of situations to escalate it, when needed, with the objective of safeguarding people.
- Maintained database records of cases received, ensuring that all data entered was administered accurately.
Field psychologist
Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá
Bogota D.C., Colombia
2020.10 - 2021.05
- Delivered a first-level public health intervention capable of democratising health access in communities around Colombia with high levels of exclusion and non-satisfied basic needs
- Analysed and responded flexibly to urgent individual difficulties in short periods of time, through psychological functional analysis and creative thought which reduced high-risk behaviours in children and adults with non-access to secondary health services.
- Provided emergency support to clients experiencing crises, offering additional resources and allied health referrals to maintain client safety.
Intern
War Child Holland
Bogota D.C., Colombia
2019.06 - 2019.12
- Systematised qualitative data from implementation programs to facilitate evaluating and monitoring processes and increase the quality of programs aimed at safeguarding children in conflict contexts
- Promoted attitudinal change and community capacity towards children's protection from forced recruitment by illegal groups
- Created weekly reports about the efficacy of the implemented programs to national and international stakeholders which maintained a stable relationship between the organisation and partners
- Learned and sensitised myself about the importance of constructing a contextualised intervention because of the cultural, socioeconomic and age differences
Education
Master of Arts - Psychology, Childhood and Youth Studies
University of Sussex
Brighton 2022.09 - 2023.09
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Universidad de los Andes
Colombia 2016.01 - 2020.08
Skills
- Youth welfare focus
- Problem-solving
- Effective communication
- Time management
Certification
Safeguarding children and young people with SEND - NSPCC learning
Children safeguarding - Be-a Education.
Training in emotional crisis and suicidal risk management - Lifesense, Bogotá Beyond CBT: Third-wave therapies and what works for whom: Elective course - University of Los Andes
Languages
English
Proficient (C2)
Spanish
Native
French
Upper intermediate (B2)
Timeline
Youth Worker
Extra Time
2023.02 - 2023.08
Master of Arts - Psychology, Childhood and Youth Studies
University of Sussex
2022.09 - 2023.09
Community psychologist
Selia
2021.06 - 2022.08
Field psychologist
Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá
2020.10 - 2021.05
Intern
War Child Holland
2019.06 - 2019.12
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Universidad de los Andes
2016.01 - 2020.08