Mateja Petje

 MATEJA PETJE, MS, LMFT

OBJECTIVE 

To become internationally known expert, therapist, and professional life coach in assisting people to overcome challenges and significantly improve their lives by utilizing traditional and holistic healing modalities.

HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

Individual, couple, group, and family therapy

Couples therapy utilizing Imago approach

Women’s issues

Trained in Brief Solution Focused Approach

Crisis counseling and intervention for individuals and families

Non-traditional approaches including guided meditation/visualization and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT

Experience with populations of diverse ethnical, racial, and socio-economical backgrounds

Experience with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders

Experience with children and adolescents with problematic sexual behavior and sexually abused children and adolescent

Research and assessment skills

Competency in identifying clients’ needs and developing effective solutions

Familiar with Medicaid and managed care paperwork and administrative requirements, including authorizations

Utilization Review Experience

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Thrive in a challenging, people-oriented environment

Excellent organizational and management skills

EDUCATION

8/2003UniversityofMiami,Coral Gables,FL

Master of Science in Education

Major in Marriage and Family Therapy, 3.91 GPA (Honors)

9/1993University of Ljubljana,Slovenia

Bachelor of Science

Major in Education, Minor in English, 3.51 GPA

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

12/12 Independent Associate/Therapist, Relationship Center of South FL, Boca Raton, Fl

• Conduct individual, couple, group and family therapy as an independent contractor
• Conduct workshops and presentations as well as outreach activities
• Provide referrals to psychiatrist and community resources, if applicable

3/11 Independent Associate/Therapist, The Center for Psychological Fitness, Cooper City, Fl

• Conduct individual, couple, group and family therapy as an independent contractor
• Conduct workshops and presentations as well as outreach activities
• Provide referrals to psychiatrist and community resources, if applicable

1/12-10/12 Utilization Review Specialist, Hyperion Billing Solutions, Boca Raton, Fl

• Conducted utilization reviews for inpatient substance abuse facilities including detox and residential rehab
• Coordinated reviews with facilities and review for ASAM criteria
• Maximized clients’ benefits by obtaining longer stays at the highest level of care
• Assisted with billing, claims, and verification of benefits

1/11 –  12/11 Utilization Review Specialist, MedPro Billing; Davie; FL

• Conducted utilization reviews for inpatient substance abuse facilities including detox and residential rehab
• Coordinated reviews with facilities and review for ASAM criteria
• Maximized clients’ benefits by obtaining longer stays at the highest level of care

5/10 – 12/10  Independent Associate, The Psychteam Inc; Cooper City, Florida (Part-Time)

• Conducted individual, couple and family therapy as an independent contractor
• Provided referrals to psychiatrist and community resources, if applicable

10/08 – 12/10   Care Manager, Magellan Health Care, Miami, FL

• Provided assistance to members and providers at one of the largest mental health care providers in South Florida
• Conducted utilization reviews while assessing medically necessary criteria for inpatient hospitalizations and outpatient services
• Assisted with intake assessments and pre-certifications, as necessary
• Collaborated with psychiatrists on the team when medically necessary criteria is not met
• Participated at rounds and trainings
• Reviewed charts for compliance

12/08 – 4/10 Independent Associate The Institute for Family Therapy, Miami Lakes, Florida (Part-Time)

• Conducted individual, couple and family therapy as an independent contractor
• Provided referrals to psychiatrist and community resources, if applicable

3/08-9/08   Outpatient Therapist, The Chrysalis Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL

• Conducted individual and family therapy with children and adolescents in their families at home and schools
• Developed initial treatment plans, treatment plan reviews, and utilize appropriate interventions based on client’s needs
• Conducted discharge planning and provide community referrals
• Completed psychosocial assessments, as needed
• Participated at staff meeting and trainings

3/08 – 10/08 Positive Parenting Through Divorce, Davie, FL (Part-time)

• Conducted court-mandated parenting classes for divorced parents on topics such as co-parenting, communication; positive discipline, and legal guidelines

1/08-2/08 Co-Occuring Unit Therapist, Starting Place, Hollywood, FL

• Conducted individual, family, and group sessions with adolescents in their families for clients with substance abuse and dual diagnosis
• Facilitated parenting meetings
• Developed initial treatment plans and utilize appropriate interventions based on client’s needs
• Conducted discharge planning and provided community referrals
• Completed psychosocial assessments, such as Bloom, Socrates, and PADDI
• Participated at staff meeting and trainings
• Participated in Multi-disciplinary Treatment Team

7/06 – 12/07    Community Youth Counselor, Family T.I.E.S.,

Memorial Health Care System, Hollywood, FL

• Conducted individual and family sessions at clients’ homes and schools
• Facilitated parenting sessions and youth groups
• Developed initial treatment plans and utilize appropriate interventions based on client’s needs
• Completed psychosocial assessments and other relevant assessments, such as Parenting Stress Index
• Conducted discharge planning and provided community referrals
• Collaborated with other agencies, if applicable, to provide additional services
• Participated at staff meeting and trainings

12/05-7/06 Team Leader/Crisis Counselor Project HOPE, Department of Children and Families, Fort Lauderdale, FL

• Supervised crisis counselors and outreach workers
• Conducted individual, family, and group counseling
• Performed presentations
• Prepared weekly reports
• Assisted in budget planning
• Performed administrative duties, such as preparing weekly schedules and reviewing time sheets
• Conducted staff trainings/orientations for new employees

AWARDS

• University of Miami Department of Student Affairs Scholarship
• National Slovenian Scholarship winner
• Volunteered at Switchboard ofMiamiandFamilyResourceCenter

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Platinum Member of International Council of Professional Therapists (ICPT)

CERTIFICATIONS

• LMFT; MT 2338

Certified byHarvardUniversity to conduct clinical interviews and assessments (WASI)

Certification in Crisis Assessment and Intervention, Switchboard of Miami, FL (April 2000)

ADDITIONAL TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS

• Basic training in EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and Energy Medicine with Gwenn Bonnell; Certified EFT Practitioner I; June 2010
• Attended several trainings through Children Services Council as a part of contract requirement between July 2006 – present; including Brief Solution Focused Approach and Wraparound Process, and specific trainings for children and adolescents with sexually inappropriate behavior and trauma

• Foundational Training for Professional Life Coach, The Institute for Life Coach Training (January – June 2006)

• Stress Management Training - Gil Hoel,Ft. Lauderdale,FL(May 2006)

Basic and Advanced Training in Clinical Hypnosis - theFlorida Society of Clinical Hypnosis ( May 2003,Clearwater,FL); and  the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis; (December 2002,Orlando,FL) 

SKILLS

 Windows, MS Office, Excel, Adobe Pagemaker, Internet search skills

IP System and Utilization Review Software for Medicaid and Managed Care

Fluent in Slovene, Proficient in Croatian, Working knowledge of German