Justine Ashokar, Ph.D. EDUCATION 605-718-8446 jashokar@bhws.com Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology 2015 Concentration in Neuropsychology Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology 2013 Fielding Graduate University, California Master of Science in Counseling 1999 California State University, Long Beach, California Master of Arts in Literature 1987 Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Director of Clinical Services 7/2015 Present Director of Staff Training and Development 6/2012 Present o Develop and implement on-line Learning Management System which comprises of competency based, e-learning courses as well as tracking onthe-job training and instructional led classroom training. o Track on-the-job training and instructional led classroom training for 520 employees. o Consult with supervisors to assess learners needs and develop training to match these needs and training requirements. o Evaluate training, monitor and analyze course effectiveness and update curriculum as needed. o Develop training programs and provide effective growth and development opportunities. o Supervise Research Support Assistants and Behavior Support Specialists o Provide consultation and supervision to Masters level counselors. Adjunct Instructor (Part time) 1/2010 Present South Dakota State University, Rapid City, South Dakota.
o Teach graduate students in the counseling programs (school, agency, rehabilitation or higher education settings). o Develop curriculum for graduate level counseling course. o Assist students in developing skills and competencies expected of counselors. o Assist students in developing intervention and assessment strategies, individual and group counseling competencies. Counselor/Behavior Specialist 03/2004 05/2012 o Provided support to people who are in mental health crisis or who have significant behaviors that jeopardize their continued community placement and/or success. o Facilitated and supported the person s team by modeling, coaching and teaching skills that improve their ability to be effective in supporting the person. o Provided individual and group counseling for clients with a traumatic brain injury and their families. o Conducted assessment and developing individualized treatment plans. o Maintained a complete and updated clinical record for each client. o Participated in a multi-disciplinary team in providing treatment for clients. o Facilitated support groups for survivors of traumatic brain injury, their family and caregivers. o Consulted with primary care provider and other mental health professionals as required. o Made referrals to medical provider and psychiatrist as necessary. Mental Wellness Director 03/2004 12/2005 Morningstar Assisted Living Centers, Rapid City, South Dakota. o Provided counseling services for the residents. o Developed, coordinated and administered an effective and comprehensive activities program to enrich the quality of life of the residents. o Planned and directed recreational and athletic activities for all age groups. o Administered the work of the Department of Activities by encouraging teamwork and mutual support and by providing leadership to staff members. o Established departmental goals and objectives by prioritizing related programs, managing the use of facilities, planning an appropriate budget, delegating tasks and evaluating progress regularly. Vocational Counselor 9/2001 10/2003 Next Step Center, Vietnam Veterans of California, Menlo Park, California.
o Provided vocational counseling services to men and women veterans of different ethnic background and cultures. o Developed and implemented treatment plans, provided job development and placement assistance for hard to place, at risk homeless veterans. o Developed individual client vocational rehabilitation plans that include skills assessment, training and education recommendations, housing arrangements as well as outside reference to Foothill College and other sources of vocational development. o Completed various grant registration and enrollment records; collected and collated client data and documentation. o Actively participated in regular team care meetings, presenting client vocational plans and progress reports to co-workers and Veteran Hospital clinical staff. Career Counselor 01/1999 8/2001 Globe Sysware Inc., Cupertino, California. o Counseled international candidates who desire change in the field of work. o Assisted clients with clarification of career goals and with development of job search strategies. o Provided information to candidates with barriers to employment regarding various careers and educational opportunities. o Assisted with resume writing and interview techniques. o Facilitated group discussions. o Assisted director in the implementation of policies and programs to increase staff, employee relations, contract negotiations and human resources policies. RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CA. October 2011- May 2013 Supervisor: David Peterzell, PhD, PhD. Research Assistant Examination of the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and its correlation with measures of cognitive schemas, affect regulation, somatic awareness and spirituality. Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Ventura, CA July 2013 Supervisor: Henry V. Soper, PhD Research Assistant Examining performance for a number of sensory/motor tasks using data from a compendium of the Expanded Halstead-Reitan Battery with different age groups and levels of education. PRESENTATIONS:
Conference Presentations Ashokar, J. (May, 2010). Emotional changes after brain injury and their impact on cognitive function. Presented at the 5 th Annual Black Hills Brain Injury Conference, Rapid City, South Dakota Ashokar, J. (March, 2010). Awareness and depression: A teaching model for understanding brain injury recovery. Poster presented at IBIA Eighth World Congress on Brain Injury, Washington, DC. Ashokar, J. (May, 2009). Integrating mindfulness in brain injury rehabilitation. Presented at the 4 th Annual Black Hills Brain Injury Conference, Rapid City, South Dakota. Ashokar, J. (May, 2008). Awareness and Depression. Poster presented at the 15 th Annual Brain Injury Conference, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Ashokar, J. (May, 2008). Building a support system. Presented at the 3 rd Annual Black Hills Brain Injury Conference, Rapid City, South Dakota. Ashokar, J. (May, 2007). Catastrophic Reaction. Presented at the 2 nd Annual Black Hills Brain Injury Conference, Rapid City, South Dakota. Ashokar, J. (May, 2006). Awareness and depression after brain injury. Presented at the 1 st Annual Black Hills Brain Injury Conference, Rapid City, South Dakota. Other Professional Presentations Ashokar. J. (March, 2013). Emotional changes and catastrophic reaction. Presented at Ashokar, J. (January, 2011). Personality Disorders. Presented at Intensive Treatment Services, Rapid City, South Dakota. AWARDS RECEIVED Hillary Ford Diversity Research Grant 1998, California Career Development Association. Award received for promoting professional and theoretical development in the field of Counseling. AAUW Success Award 2012. Award received for improving life through education and adhering to AAUW goals of promoting education and equity for all women and positive societal change.
LICENSES National Board Certified Counselor, NCC, (#215411) Licensed Professional Counselor, South Dakota (#LPC1152) Certified Brain Injury Specialist, South Dakota PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP American Psychological Association Member Brain Injury Alliance of South Dakota President American Association of University Women Success Award Committee Chair