ABOUT ME

 

My Formal Education

College of St. Joseph, Rutland, Vermont

I went back to college at the age of 43. I went to the college I started to attend in 1986 when I graduated High School. I graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. While studying there I took many fascinating courses like: modern media; cosmic horror movies; sociology; theology; criminal justice; organizational behavior; and website marketing. These were in addition to the core BA courses and required psychology courses.

Degree Confirmed: June 2017 

As a Provider Scholarship fund recipient I was required to complete community service hours to give back to my community. I helped with events such as: the annual Easter Egg Hunt; the annual trick or treating Halloween event; fundraising for Dismas House; Bingo with residents at the Bardwell House; and I organized a public screening of “The Anonymous People.”

University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont

I applied to the University in the fall of 2017. I was accepted into the program and began there in the fall of 2018. I graduated with a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I took many interesting and educational courses such as Human Development, Research Methods, Career Counseling, Counseling Assessments, Diagnosis in Counseling, Psychopharmacology for Counselors, Addiction, Family Counseling, Professional Issues and Ethics, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Counseling Theories, Group Counseling, Trauma Informed CBT for Veterans, and Postpartum Depression/Perinatal Mental Health for Women.

Degree Confirmed: August 2020, CACREP Accredited Program

Certifications required for licensure in Vermont:

I recently sat for the National Counselors Examination in May 2021 and passed. I have attained the National Board of Certified Counselor’s National Certified Counselor designation/certification. The two tests I will need to take before licensing are the Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination and the Alcohol and Drug Counselors Examination.

My Work Experience

July 2021 – Present: James Fitzgerald Therapy, PLLC

(Private Practice) Master’s Level, National Certified Counselor, Apprentice Addiction Professional, VT Roster of Psychotherapists

August 2020 – June 2021: Baymark Health Services (BAART Programs)

(BAART Programs) Master’s Level, MAT Counselor, Apprentice Addiction Professional

September 2017 – December 2020: University of Vermont Medical Center

(Inpatient Psychiatry) Master’s Level, Mental Health Technician, CPR/AED Certification, MOAB & ProAct Certified

August 2019 – August 2020: Central Vermont Substance Abuse Services

(One Year Internship) Bachelor’s Level, Intensive Outpatient Program – Group Clinician, Adult Outpatient Program Clinician

September 2014 – June 2017: Rutland Mental Health Services

Peer Support Specialist, Crisis Support Specialist, Residential Recovery Specialist, Site Safety Coordinator, Group Facilitator

June 2013 – March 2015: Vermont Psychiatric Survivors – Outreach Program

Peer Support Specialist, Recovery Coach, Wellness Recovery Action Plan Facilitator, Intentional Peer Support Certified

Training Certificates

April 2020: Telehealth for Mental Health Professionals (PESI)

Instructor: Joni Gilbertson, MA, NCC, LCPC, LMHC, BC­TMH, CTMH

CEU: 12.5 Hours (Online); Test Completed 04/08/2020 – 10:46 AM CST; Original Program Date 02/20/2020

July 2020: Cognitive Behavior Therapy Techniques for Everyday Practice (PESI)

Instructor:  John Ludgate, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist Psychotherapist

CEU: 6.25 Hours (Online); Test Completed 07/19/2020 01:26 AM CST; Original Program Date 07/26/2016

CEU: 6.25 Hours (Online); Test Completed 07/12/2020 10:43 PM CST; Original Program Date 03/21/2017

September 2013: Wellness Recovery Action Plan Group Facilitator (Vermont Recovery Network)

Copeland Center for Wellness & Recovery

Instructors: Karen Lorentzon, Jane Winterling

Turning Point Center, Rutland, VT, September 2013

June 2013: Intentional Peer Support (Vermont Psychiatric Survivors)

Shery Meade

Instructor: Chris Hanson

Capitol Hotel, Montpelier, VT, June 2013

Professional Credentials & Affiliations

American Counseling Association (Member # 6526860)

National Board of Certified Counselors (NCC) National Certified Counselor (June 2021)

Wellness Practices Encouraged and Supported by Me:

“When ‘I’ is replaced with ‘we’ even illness becomes wellness.” ~ Malcolm X

  • Guided Meditation ~ Many can be found on the “Calm” Phone App
  • Mindfulness Practice ~ Based on Buddhism philosophies
  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation
  • Grounding Exercises ~ for example, 5,4,3,2,1 activity
  • 12 Steps (work) with a Sponsor
  • Support Group Meeting Attendance
  • Hatha Yoga
  • Yin (Restorative) Yoga
  • Tai Chi and Qui Gong
  • Karate / Kung Fu (Martial Arts)
  • Balanced Nutrition Programs (Organic/Local)
  • Strength Training Programs
  • Cardiovascular Exercise Programs
  • Music Therapy
  • Writing (Journal) Therapy
  • Art (Crafts) Therapy
  • Bowen Theory Family Therapy
  • Integral Life Plan ~ Ken Wilber

Check back on this website often, as I will be posting articles on each of these practices regularly.

Modalities

  • Adults & Adolescents
    • Individual
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Groups

 

Issues

  • ADHD/Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Addiction/Alcoholism
  • Adjustment Disorder
  • Anxiety 
  • Attachment Patterns
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Career Transitions
  • Compassion Fatigue – Burnout
  • Coping Skills
  • Depression
  • Eating Disorders
  • Gender Role/Identity Issues
  • Grief/Loss
  • Life Coaching
  • Life Transitions
  • Mania
  • Marital and Premarital
  • Men’s Issues
  • Mental Health Advocacy
  • Mood Disorders
  • Multiculturalism
  • Societal Oppression
  • Palliative Care – Redesigning End of Life
  • Parenting
  • Peer Relationships
  • Perinatal/Postpartum 
  • Personality Disorders
  • Phobias
  • Racial Identity
  • Self Esteem
  • Sexual Orientation Issues
  • Sleep or Insomnia
  • Stress Tolerance/Resilience
  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Women’s Issues

 

 

Types of Practice/Therapies

    Primary Approaches
  • Strengthening Your Conscious Self ©
  • Internal Family Systems “Parts Work” Self Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Motivational Enhancement Therapy
  • Somatic “Polyvagal” Therapy

Other Approaches

  • Attachment/Adjustment Theory
  • Career Development
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy
  • Crisis Intervention Plans
  • Emotion Focused Therapy
  • Mindfulness Based Therapy
  • Positive Psychology
  • Character Strengths and Virtues
  • Relapse Prevention Plans
  • Transtheoretical Stages of Change
  • Wellness Recovery Action Plans

 

Vermont License

VT Secretary of State Board of Allied Mental Health Professionals

Non-Licensed & Non-Certified Psychotherapist (License # 097.0134612)

VT Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation

Apprentice Addiction Professional (License # 149.0133944)

 

Liability Insurance

Healthcare Providers Service Organization

Professional Liability Insurance; Policy # 0675329695

Vermont Secretary of State Information