Hello, my name is Ashleigh Hamar, and I’m the new school counselor at Brook Park and Big Creek Elementary Schools. I am really pleased to be joining these two schools and meeting all of the children, faculty, and parents! I graduated with honors from Cleveland State University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminology. I was working with the Cleveland Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit as well as Applewood Centers Inc. at the time. Both of these establishments provided me with an excellent experience. However, I quickly realized my interest for mental health and desire to assist young children in reaching their goals.
Soon after, I opted to pursue my Masters of Social Work at Case Western Reserve University, with a focus on Trauma-Informed Practices. During this period, I collaborated with the Child Advocacy Center to implement an education program on “Helping Keep Your Children Safe on the Internet.” This instructional program is currently being worked on in order to be passed as a policy throughout Cuyahoga County and implemented in many school districts in order to keep students safe from harmful information. I worked with the National Suicide Prevention Line after getting my Master’s degree. I can honestly say that this was the most eye-opening and fulfilling job I’ve ever had! I got the opportunity to work with an incredible team that assisted me in preparing for and passing my Licensed Social Work examination. I was given the opportunity to meet with a diverse group of people in order to provide nonjudgmental, confidential support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention assistance to those experiencing emotional distress.
In addition to working with adolescents who had developmental delays, aggressive and impulsive behaviors, sexual abuse symptoms, mood disruption, excessive anxieties, significant relationship issues, danger of harm to self or others, and school failure. I know that many children are afraid to admit that they are having difficulties. As a result, I intend to be a warm, safe, and welcome person where your children can come and feel secure enough to share what is going on. I intend to collaborate closely with professionals and family members to help your child reach his or her full potential! Many therapeutic intervention tactics, such as coping skills, deep breathing skills, body regulation, de-escalation techniques, and much more, can be useful when working with children, and I am delighted to assist teach and implement them in daily life!
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