My CV
Education, Work, and Training
Dr. Ione Renee LaFata
Day Phone: 719 900-8894
Email: drreneelafata@q.com
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Welcome to Online Psychotherapy with Dr Renee. As a licensed psychotherapist and mental health coach, I am dedicated to helping individuals and couples reach their goals. With over 30 years of experience, I strive to provide the best possible care for my clients. I specialize in offering tailored and holistic approaches to improve mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. I welcome you to explore my services and take the first step towards creating a better life for yourself. My practice offers services to individuals, couples, and families, as well as corporate and organizational consulting. I specialize in helping clients to develop better relationship dynamics, and to develop their emotional and mental wellbeing. I am passionate about empowering people to live more fulfilling, balanced lives.
I offer a comprehensive range of mental health services to individuals, couples, and families, as well as corporate and organizational consulting. Through psychotherapy and coaching, I provide education and resources to help my clients reach their emotional and mental wellbeing goals, creating better and more fulfilling relationships with themselves and others. Come explore the possibilities with me today. See my vast amount of experience reflected below.
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Counseling Services Center Director
Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:
Duties: As the Director of Counseling Services Center during 1989 to 2023. Our Center offers Educational programs, Professional Development, Mental Health Services, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), Individual, Couples and Group Counseling Programs, Individual, Marriage, and Family Internships, Vocational testing, Psycho-Educational Assessment, Personality Testing, Training and Development for organizations seeking to improve employees’ team building abilities, customer service satisfaction, employee relations and other related areas. As the Director of Counseling Services Center, I supervised, managed and led all of the program management and the availability and use of financial and personnel resources.
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Department of Defense Schools School Psychologist- 9-2000 to 2018- Federal Government
WT Sampson ES/HS
School Psychologist/Counselor
08-25-2017
Maxwell Elementary/Middle School
School Psychologist
07-25-2016
DoDEA Headquarters
ISS/SSS in Psychology
09-21-2015
Tori Station Okinawa Japan
District ISS/PPS Psychology/504
11-03-2012
Lajes ESMSHS Unit School
Assistant Principal
11-20-2011
Peachtree City DDESS Education Division DoDEA-DDESS
ISS/PPS
03-23-2010
Anderson Elementary and Middle School, Guam
School Psychologist
08-05-2003
Sollars Elementary School Misawa Japan
School Psychologist
09-19-2000
Contract School Psychologist
12-01-1989
Department of Education Experience
Elevate-North, Vocational Charter School- Idaho
District School Psychologist (Special Education Virtual))
Contractual: Proximity
04-01-2023 to Present
West Ada Public School District- Idaho
District School Psychologist (Special Education)
Contractual: Proximity
10-13-2022
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Lamar Public School District- Colorado
Contractual: Stepping Stones- Full-time
District School Psychologist (Special Education)
05-11-2021
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Fort Morgan Public School District- Colorado
District School Psychologist (Special Education)
Contractual: Therapy Travelers- Full-time
09-11-2019
Woodland Park District RE-2 District Psychologist- Colorado
District School Psychologist (Special Education)
08-18-2018
Department of Education, Guam
School Psychologist
06-01-1987
Department of Education, Guam
School Guidance Counselor
06-01-1984
Department of Education
Teacher for emotionally handicapped students
06-01-1982
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Consultant Services
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Coordinates with military, psychological, and psychiatric personnel for sharing of mutual information regarding problems of the school and community. Consults and collaborates with community agencies and refers students and parents as appropriate. Serves as the DoDDs Representative for the Misawa complex for IDS, FAC, FMCMT.
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Serves as a consultant in helping to develop programs for exceptional children and in developing policies for special education, child advocacy, and students’ rights programs. Serves on the CSC committee, Student Support Team committee, Spectra.
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Serves as in-school consultant to school counselors for cases needing services beyond educational counseling and advises the next step.
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Evaluates students and recommends environmental changes in the classroom or at home to teachers and parents.
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Assists teachers in the development or enhancement of classroom management techniques.
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Facilitates group collaborative problem-solving meetings with teachers, specialists and administration. SST Chairperson and Crisis Intervention Chairperson.
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Consults and collaborates with the Case Study Committee regarding special education programming and the needs of individual students. CSC committee member.
Psycho-educational Assessment
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Administers and/or evaluates results of individual psycho-diagnostic measures (intellectual, social, achievement, cognitive and personality tests), to identify students’ needs.
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Recommends educational modifications based on assessments, observations and other information.
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Conducts interviews with students, teachers and parents as appropriate.
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Provides requested services to CSC in compliance with special education guidelines.
Mental Health Services
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Provides short-term psychological counseling and support to students, parents, and staff, including crisis intervention.
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Consults with parents regarding student needs and concerns.
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Discuss with parents’ child development issues that are related to student needs and concerns.
In-service Training
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Develops and presents in-service programs when appropriate on topics such as child abuse, deployment, crisis management, ADHD, behavior management techniques, warning signs of at-risk students, etc.
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Attends area/district training and participates in networking.
Self-employed as an Individual, Marriage and Family Therapist and Human Services Consultant.
Office located at 456 West O’Brien Drive, Suite 102D, Agana, Guam 96932. Telephone: 477-7728. Focus of practice: Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), Individual, Couples and Group Counseling and Facilitation. Training and Development for organizations seeking to improve employees’ team building abilities, customer service satisfaction, employee relations and other related areas.
1/1/89- 2007
Healing Hearts Rape Crisis Center Manager at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (Guam).
Responsible for the organization and implementation of a Rape Crisis Center.
2/1/97-10/30/97.
Counseling Services Center, Professional Counselor.
Provided individual, marriage and family counseling in the private sector. Specialized in working with children and adolescents, play therapy, group therapy and couple mediation.
1/1/89-1/1/97.
Veterans Administration, Counseling Psychologist.
Contracted for the regional Veteran’s Administration Headquarters in Honolulu to provide services to disabled veterans residing in Guam, Micronesia, Australia, Japan, Korea, and other Pacific Rim countries. Specific services included psychological testing, disability assessment, counseling, transition assistance, rehabilitation and case supervision. 8/90-10/95
Continental Air Micronesia Contractual Counselor.
Contracted as the primary employee assistance program provider for the airline. This included assessment and treatment for all mental health and addiction issues of employees, including pilots, aircrew, and ground support staff referred by management.
10/92-11/95
United States Coast Guard Employee Assistance Program Provider.
Provided counseling services and stress management workshops for Coast Guard personnel and their families in Guam.
9/92-11/95
Superior Court of Guam.
Contracted with the Family Court Division to provide psychological assessments, custody evaluations, and expert testimony for cases involving children and adolescents, and their families.
10/90-10/92
Department of Corrections.
Contracted to provide direct services to inmates at the Adult Correctional Facility, to include group therapy, individual therapy, and crisis intervention inside the prison.
6-/90-6/92
Guam Community College and Special Needs Department.
Provided diagnostic, psychological testing services for GCC’s Counseling Department. Provided in-service training to counselors on assessment and intervention methods for suicidal individuals. Provided training to college faculty on identification of at-risk students and intervention strategies. Provided weekly group counseling services for identified at-risk students.
1/90-6-94
Guam Community College Women’s Studies Program.
Developed a self development program entitled, “The Next Step” for the college to assist women in their personal and career growth. Continuing seminars provided to the college include; Exploring the Roadless Traveled, Assertiveness Training, Stress Management, Discovering Your Self Esteem, and Effective Parenting.
12/89-6/94
Project Head Start, Guam Department of Education.
Contracted to provide mental health specialty services to program clients. Direct services to children and families in the Head Start Program include behavioral and family environment observations at school and at home, clinical assessment and treatment, crisis intervention services and psycho-educational reports and recommendations. Staff support services include in-service training for teachers on psychological techniques and behavior management.
8/92-6-94
Oceanview and George Washington High School, Guam Department of Education.
Contracted to provide group counseling services and individual counseling to identified high-risk students. In addition, conducted a school-wide substance abuse assessment of High School Students, with analysis and program development recommendations to the Director of the Department of Education.
6/90-6/93
University of Maryland, Asian Division.
Adjunct faculty instructor for university courses in Introduction to Psychology, Child Psychology, and Adolescent Psychology.
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United States Airforce Active Duty
Inventory Management Specialist
07-11-1976 to 01-11-1980
Education
Master of Education in Educational Leadership, 2009
PhD in Psychology, Saybrook Institute, 2007
Master of Science, Behavioral Sciences, University of Guam, 1988.
Master of Education, University of Guam, 1986.
Bachelor of Psychology, University of Maryland, 1983
Numerous continuing education workshops and training in the fields of mental health, substance abuse, leadership, management, marketing, self-development, fitness and nutrition.
Licenses
US Territory of Guam, Individual, Marriage and Family Therapist (current)
Registered (unlicensed) Psychotherapist in Colorado (current)
Licensed School Psychologist in Colorado (current)
Licensed School Psychologist in Idaho (current)
Mental Health, Personal & Life Coach
Mental Health Coaching supports individuals to improve their mental health and well-being. Using evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and stress management, individuals build mental strength and resilience, improve interpersonal communication and emotional intelligence, and ultimately live a healthier and more fulfilling life. It is the fastest and most effective way to make lasting changes to your mental health and wellbeing.
05-2020 to Present
Community Organizations and Affiliations
Kuam, Isla 61, Talk Show Host
KGTF-TV, Guam Public Television, support friend
Child Care Cooperative, Guam, charter corporate member
Parents United, Principal Volunteer Therapist (‘87-’90), group work with incest/sexual abuse offenders.
Guam Association of Social Workers, member.
Association of Individual, Marriage and Family Therapists, member
Interests: Helping others through volunteer work, travel, reading, fitness and nutrition, craft making, writing, art and music.
Travel: Extensively since childhood. Japan, Azores Portugal, Madera, San Miguel, Guam
References: Available Upon Request Citizenship: USA
Guam Community College
Adjunct Faculty
Interpersonal Relations
01-20-99 to 05-17-99
Presentations
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Head Start Conference May 1,1989 presentation
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Guam Public School Administrators August 27,1999 Public Relations
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First Health Educator’s conference May 14,1992 Date Rape/Sexual Assault
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Southern H.S. Faculty, DOE May 1,1998 Stress Management
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Chief Brodie, Elementary, DOE March 13,1998 Stress Management
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1997 Parent Conference, Head Start October 4,1997 Families creating peace
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FBLG M.S. Faculty, DOE 1996-97 Staff Development
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Department of Administration August 11,1998 Personal Empowerment
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Guam Community College Staff August 5,1994 Teamwork
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Special Education, DOE May 23,1989 Coping Strategies Parents
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Head Start April 29,1989 Choosing a career
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Carrier EAP Feb.27,1999 EEO and Sex Harassment
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Counseling Service Center May 28,1999 Family Violence
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Counseling Service Center July 29-30 1999 Suicide Prevention
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Carrier EAP July 25,1999 Customer Service Satisfaction
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Awards/Certificates
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C.L. Taitano PTA Service Award 1984-1985
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DOE Commendation May 1987 Instructional Leadership
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Department of Mental Health October 1997
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Navy Family Services April 1989 Family Violence Prevent
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Navy Family Services Sept. 1989 Family Violence Prevent
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7th Annual National Conference April 1993 Dysfunctional Families
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Career Decision Making Training Feb. 18,1988
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NCO Orientation Course USAF June 7, 1979
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Inventory Management Specialist, USAF Oct.7,1976
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Pacific Daily News April 20,1999 Life Management
Contracts
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DOE, Department of Administration May 1,1992 Contractual Services
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Guam Housing and Urban Renewal March 20,2000 Training
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GCC Consultant Trainer Jan.31,1991 Testing/Training
Proposals
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Child Protective Services Aug.23,1990 Standard Procedures
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Proposals
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GHURA’s Clients Feb.3,1999 Workshops
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DVR’s Clients Feb. 4,1999 Services
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Guam Airport Authority Jan. 12,1999 Workshops
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Grant Domestic and child violence March 15,1998 Services
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EAP for DOE Jan. 28,1992 Services
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EAP for GCC Jan.1992 Services, Workshops
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The Children’s Center June 17,1991 Residential
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Education:
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University of Argosy Phoenix, AZ United States
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Master's Degree 09/2009
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GPA: 4.0 of a maximum 4.0
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Credits Earned: 76 Semester hours
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Major: Educational Leadership Honors: Summa Cum Laude
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Saybrook Science and Research Institute San Francisco, CA United States
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Doctorate 02/2007
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GPA: 4 of a maximum 4
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Credits Earned: 76 Semester hours
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Major: Psychology
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University of Guam Agana Heights, GU United States
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Master's Degree 05/1988
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GPA: 3.86 of a maximum 3.86
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Major: Behavioral Sciences Specialization Psychology
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University of Guam Agana Heights, GU United States
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Master's Degree 05/1986
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GPA: 3.86 of a maximum 3.86
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Credits Earned: 39 Semester hours
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Major: Counselor Education
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University of Maryland Agana Heights, GU United States
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Bachelor's Degree 05/1983
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GPA: 3.83 of a maximum 3.83
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Credits Earned: 125 Semester hours
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Major: Psychology Minor: Sociology/Business Administration
​Licensures
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US Territory of Guam, Individual, Marriage and Family Psychotherapist
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Colorado School Psychologist License
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Colorado Registered Psychotherapist License
Certifications:
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DoDDs
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School Psychologist
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School Counselor (High School, Middle School, Elementary school)
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DoDDs Certificates:
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Principal (High School, Middle School and Elementary)
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Assistant principal (High School, Middle School and Elementary)
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Pupil Personnel Coordinator
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