1. MARY E. PENHALL, BA., CSC
Email: maryepenhall@gmail.com
(604) 868-4012
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
A dynamic mental health professional with a strong clinical counselling background. Expertise includes
addressing client issues related to personal crises, stress management, depression, post-adoption, conflict
resolution, confidence building, and anger management. Extensive experience in Youth and Family
Counselling, sexual abuse, mediation, crisis intervention and assessment and referrals. A critical thinker
with the ability to make decisions in a fast-paced setting. Exceptional ability to work cooperatively in a team-
based environment.
Skills & Qualifications: Excellent documentation and analytical skills, decision making, professional verbal
and written communication, resolving conflict, heartfelt integrity and maintains a strong connection with
children and adults.
EMPLOYMENT
Executive Assistant - Axis Insurance Managers Inc. (Vancouver)
Sept 2014 to Present
o Primarily supports the President, ensuring an organized and productive environment
o Provides administrative support to executives and staff as required
o Prepares draft letters, memos, speeches and other documents as assigned
o Reviews, evaluates and prioritizes the executive’s correspondence including e-mail, mail and
telephone calls. Forwards or responds to correspondence where appropriate
o Proofreads and edits the executive’s correspondence and reports
o Prepares and maintains the executive’s expense reports, corporate and personal expenses
o Maintains executive's appointment schedule by planning and scheduling meetings, conferences,
teleconferences and travel arrangements
o Supports HR Coordinator in overflow tasks including screening resumes, conducting initial
telephone interviews, making recommendations, scheduling interviews
o Provides conflict resolution to staff and executive partners, mediating and providing
support/counselling for staff and clients in conflict
Individual & Family Counsellor, Vancouver, New Jersey, New York, New York City) 1996 - Present
Private Practice:
Accomplishes client care by assessing treatment needs; developing, monitoring and evaluating treatment
plans and progress while facilitating interdisciplinary approaches. Duties include the following:
• Determines client requirements by completing intake interviews, determining need for therapeutic
medical, psycho-social and psychiatric evaluations; reviewing therapist evaluations, treatment objectives
and plans.
• Establishes treatment plans by setting schedules and routines; coordinating services being provided.
• Monitors cases by verifying client’s attendance; observing and evaluating treatments and responses;
advocating for needed services and intervening in crises and personal support.
• Maintains client records by reviewing case notes; logging events and progress.
• Updating job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications;
maintaining personal networks and participating in professional organizations.
Clutter Counsellor - Professional Organizer/Decorator January 2003 - Present
www.cluttercounsellor.com Vancouver/ New Jersey/ New York City
Owner and Proprietor- Provides solutions to decrease stress and increase productivity through simple yet
remarkable closet, home and office makeovers. Services also include shopping and decorating to update
client’s homes. Extensive experience in organizing and downsizing houses to condos.

2. 2
Eastern Christian High School, North Haledon, NJ, USA January 2010 - July 2010
Grade 12 Sociology Teacher/Counsellor: Reporting directly to the Principal. Responsibilities included
developing and preparing daily lesson plans, teaching 3- 90 minute block Sociology 12 classes as well as
evaluating student performances on an ongoing basis. Additional responsibilities involved counselling/crisis
intervention; on–call to counsel students and teachers at risk.
Burnaby North Secondary High School, Vancouver, B.C. September 2003 - July 2006
Youth Care Counsellor: Employed as a youth counsellor in an alternate high school behaviour
modification program, full time, teaching grades 8 through 12. Coordinated several fund raisers for the
‘Viking Program’ which was a high risk youth program dependant primarily on private donations.
Ministry of Children & Family Development, North Vancouver, B.C. 2001 - 2002
Group Facilitator/Counselor: Group facilitated for Family Services of the North Shore. Directed weekly
Social Skills group sessions for youths aged 9 to 14. Directed Anger Management groups for male youths
aged 12 to 17.
Ministry of Children & Families, North Vancouver, B.C. 1988 - 2000
Access Supervisor/Counselor: Supervised and facilitated weekly visits for children with their birth parents,
older siblings and extended family members. Provided appropriate role modeling and intervention when
required. Responsibilities also included Ministry of Children and Families team meetings and weekly written
reports. Appeared and testified in continuing custody hearings as a professional witness.
Family Services of the North Shore, North Vancouver, B.C. 1985 - 2001
Family and Youth Counsellor: Retained on a contract basis for fifteen (15) years through the Ministry for
Children and Families, (Social Services), as a counsellor for children, adolescents and families in crisis as
well as ongoing fundraising for clients and families of ‘Special Services to Children’ for fifteen (15) years.
Ottawa House – Psychological Assessment Home, West Vancouver, B.C. 1987 - 1988
Primary Counsellor
Employed as a youth worker/primary counsellor implementing treatment plans and prepared residential
assessments for the Ministry of Social Services and Housing.
Willington Youth Detention Center, Vancouver, B.C. 1986 - 1987
Counsellor: Involved in one-to-one counselling with male adolescent offenders in a maximum security
institution (prison). Received a certificate of appreciation from the Minister of Social Services.
EDUCATION:
Vancouver Community College, Two Year Counseling Skills Certificate Program, Honors 1998
Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, B.C., BA Degree (Major: Psychology, Minor: English Literature)1988
Workshops and Conferences:
Conflict Resolution Family Dynamics Systems Theory - Stress Management
Sexual Abuse Drug and Alcohol Counseling Crisis Intervention
Mediation Clinical Depressions Assessment and Referrals
Registered Foster Parent of British Columbia
Began fostering in 1992, providing respite and full time foster care until 2004. Since, this time, three of the
children in our care have “aged out” of the system however they still remain very much a part of our family.