Susan Gatt
M'Scala
Summary
Dedicated professional with strong background in providing evidence-based counselling services to individuals, couples and families. Skilled in developing treatment plans, conducting assessments and documenting progress. Committed to advocating for mental health and well-being of clients. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
19
19
years of post-secondary education
Work History
PSCD Educator and Guidance Teacher
St Benedict College
09.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication, fostering a supportive network for student success.
- Collaborated with adults and children to provide safe and educational experience.
- Met regularly with team of teachers to discuss best practices and develop innovative teaching strategies.
- Served on various school committees focused on improving policies or procedures related to academics, safety, or equity issues – driving positive change at an institutional level.
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
Counselling Psychotherapist
Karl Vella Foundation & The Malta Trust Foundation
03.2020 - Current
- Built strong rapport with clients through active listening skills and empathic understanding of their experiences, fostering lasting therapeutic relationships.
- Evaluated client progress regularly, adjusting treatment plans as necessary based on changing needs or circumstances.
- Developed personalized treatment plans to address each client''s specific needs, leading to improved mental health outcomes.
- Utilized mindfulness techniques during sessions to help clients develop greater self-awareness and coping skills for managing stressors.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals in coordinating care for clients with co-occurring mental health and physical health concerns, ensuring a holistic approach to treatment.
Counsellor/Psychotherapist
Private Practice Setting
03.2013 - Current
- Established trusting therapeutic alliances with clients through empathetic listening, validation, and unconditional positive regard.
- Participated in ongoing professional development trainings to remain current on best practices within the counseling field.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care for clients with complex needs.
- Promoted mental health awareness within the community through participation in educational events and presentations.
PSCD Educator and Guidance Teacher
Handaq Senior Secondary School
09.2012 - 07.2023
- Built relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for children.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
- Implemented classroom management techniques that fostered a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
- Chose materials and developed lesson plans to enhance skills for individual students.
- Met regularly with team of teachers to discuss best practices and develop innovative teaching strategies.
- Provided constructive feedback on assignments, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and academic growth.
Guidance Teacher
Servizz Għożża
09.2011 - 07.2012
PSCD Educator and Guidance Teacher
St Clare College
09.2010 - 07.2011
Specialised Dyslexia Teacher
Curriculum Management, Education Division
09.2003 - 07.2009
Personal, Social and Career Development Educator
St Margaret College
09.2002 - 07.2003
Education
Masters of Art in Mediation - Conflict Resolution Studies
09.2020 - 03.2023
- Dissertation: Contemporary Family Issues and the Ripple Effect on School - The Role of Mediation
Postgraduate Modular Degree - Online Mental Health Support in A Time of Crisis
05.2020 - 08.2020
- Continuing education in online counselling, to utilize appropriate platforms and forms of technology that ensure ethical online practice.
Europen Accredited EMDR Practitioner -
01.2019 - 12.2019
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Continuing Education in: Healing Attachment Injuries and Childhood Traumas.
Postgraduate Certificate Course in Child And Adolescent Mental Health - Mental Health
02.2016 - 01.2017
- Completed professional development in child and adolescent mental health.
Masters in Gestalt Psychotherapy -
10.2014 - 11.2016
- Gestalt Psychotherapist and Registered Member of the European Accredited Psychotherapists in Malta.
Masters in Counselling -
02.2008 - 11.2013
- Warranted Counsellor and Registered Member of the Malta Association for the Counselling Profession (MACP).
PGCE (Dyslexia) CCET Level A - Education
09.2007 - 11.2008
- A postgraduate certificate in education to teach young learners with dyslexia was achieved from the University of Malta, in collaboration with the British Psychological Society (BPS), attaining a certificate of competence in educational testing, level A,
PG Cert in Applied Systemic Theory -
09.2004 - 11.2005
A systemic approach to family therapy.
PGCE - PSCD -
10.2001 - 11.2002
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - Personal, Social and Career Development.
Bachelor of Psychology -
10.1997 - 11.2000
- Awarded a first degree in psychology, a pre-requisite to pursue a career in counselling and psychotherapy.
Skills
- Skilled in intake interview
- Mental Health Support
- Building rapport
- Crisis Response
- Psychoeducation
- Adept at conflict resolution
- Client Needs Assessment
- Parenting educator
Additional Information
After becoming a mother in 1986, the motivation to help other mothers empowered me to become an active member of the Mother & Baby Club, which is a voluntary organization within the Cana Movement. The 20 years I have spent in voluntary work, five years of which I held as President of the Mother & Baby Club, helped me achieve both inter and intrapersonal growth while I was going through a parallel process of mothering. During this time, I had the opportunity to attend various seminars locally and abroad dealing with the education of parents and mothers-to-be. Later on, when my children became more independent I decided to pursue a career in psychology, which has led me to where I stand today.
I am currently working on a pilot project to introduce Mediation in schools, with the aim to reform discipline, improve relationships and build a positive climate within the school.
I am in close contact with the author, Ondine Gross, of the book 'Restore the respect. How to mediate school conflicts and keep students learning'. She has not only inspired me to make this dream come true, but also has become my mentor for this project, while offering me her support and expertise.
Other Interests
My hobbies include reading and travelling to explore and see the world. I love meeting people from different countries and cultures to share experiences.
Affiliations
- MACP Member
- BPS (UK) Member
- EMDR Malta
- Wellingness Malta
- Being an associated member in such affiliations gives me the opportunity, to attend various CPD seminars and workshops on a regular basis. More recent attended seminars include: Attachment in the 21st Century and Gender 101 conference, among others.
Timeline
PSCD Educator and Guidance Teacher - St Benedict College
09.2023 - Current
Faculty of Law, University of Malta - Masters of Art in Mediation, Conflict Resolution Studies
09.2020 - 03.2023
University of Malta - Postgraduate Modular Degree, Online Mental Health Support in A Time of Crisis
05.2020 - 08.2020
Counselling Psychotherapist - Karl Vella Foundation & The Malta Trust Foundation
03.2020 - Current
Scottish Health Centre, Edinburgh - Europen Accredited EMDR Practitioner,
01.2019 - 12.2019
University of Malta - Postgraduate Certificate Course in Child And Adolescent Mental Health , Mental Health
02.2016 - 01.2017
GPTIM - EAGPT - Masters in Gestalt Psychotherapy,
10.2014 - 11.2016
Counsellor/Psychotherapist - Private Practice Setting
03.2013 - Current
PSCD Educator and Guidance Teacher - Handaq Senior Secondary School
09.2012 - 07.2023
Guidance Teacher - Servizz Għożża
09.2011 - 07.2012
PSCD Educator and Guidance Teacher - St Clare College
09.2010 - 07.2011
Faculty For Social Well-being, University of Malta - Masters in Counselling,
02.2008 - 11.2013
University of Malta+ British Psychological Society - PGCE (Dyslexia) CCET Level A, Education
09.2007 - 11.2008
Tavistock & Portman NHS Trust in Collaboration With APPOGG - Malta - PG Cert in Applied Systemic Theory,
09.2004 - 11.2005
Specialised Dyslexia Teacher - Curriculum Management, Education Division
09.2003 - 07.2009
Personal, Social and Career Development Educator - St Margaret College
09.2002 - 07.2003
Faculty of Education, University of Malta - PGCE - PSCD,
10.2001 - 11.2002
Faculty For Social Well-Being, University of Malta - Bachelor of Psychology,
10.1997 - 11.2000
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