Oshan Gadsden
Permanent Address

New York, New York 10026
United States
This is a campus activist.
Bio
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
Teachers College, Columbia University New York, NY
M.A. Clinical Psychology (Counseling Minor)
Ø Interdisciplinary Studies including counseling theory and practice.

Metropolitan College of New York City New York, NY
Bachelor of Professional Studies/Human Development Concentration

ACADEMIC/TEACHING HISTORY

September 2005-Present Adjunct Faculty New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ
Ø Lectures courses within the College of Arts & Sciences Department
Course Taught
Human & Intercultural Relations - This course explores the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, and boundaries of societies and cultures. Students are introduced to theories of social constructionism along with analyses of power, privilege, and structures of domination and exploitation. The predominant themes of oppression and discrimination are explored. More pointedly, the course investigates and critically analyzes the different ways in which oppression and discrimination are manifest on a systematic, individual, family, and community level (i.e. racism, classism, sexism, and homophobia).

September 2005-December 2005 Adjunct Faculty Metropolitan College of New York, NY
Ø Lectures within Undergraduate Human Services Department
Courses Taught
Models Of Counseling- This course reviews the various theories and associated practical approaches of counseling. Emphasis is placed on the existential dimension of the counseling relationship: the way two human beings can engage with each other to help the other deal with personal issues, grow as an integrated self, and accept personal responsibility.

The course is divided into four parts: in the first, students become familiar with the basic concepts and assumptions associated with each counseling theory; in the second, students explore the personal histories in which theorists framed said theories (i.e. how theorist’s personal experiences and journeys affected theory); in the third, students explore through critical analysis the limitations of said theories in light of important factors such as race, culture, gender, and sexual orientation; and in the fourth, students begin to examine how their own histories inform their thoughts about human nature, the way in which they see themselves, and their choice in counseling style and interventions.

Theories of Learning & Cognition- This course explores various theoretical viewpoints concerning the concepts of intelligence, learning and cognition. These viewpoints were critically analyzed and discussed with special attention given to factors that may serve as risk factors to the process of education and/or learning. As such we will explore how the factors of race, culture, gender, and teacher expectation(s) may influence how a student may process information. Special attention will be given to whether or not traditional ideas of intelligence, learning, and cognition are applicable or harmful to certain student populations (often not included in original theory construction).

The course is divided into three parts: in the first, students become familiar with the basic traditional views of intelligence, learning and cognition; in the second, students explore through critical analysis the limitations of said theories in light of issues such as race, class, and gender; and in the third, students begin to formulate their own ideas of what intelligence and cognition are, what should or should not be included in the learning process, and how the former will affect their work as human service professionals.


May 2005-Present Program Manager Federation of Organizations
Ø Responsible for ensuring that overall activities of the Brooklyn Manor Case Management Services (services to axis I diagnosed adult population) are in compliance with agency policies, the functional and funding source regulations.
Ø Oversees staff training (staff of nine case managers), clinical supervision, and daily operational management.
Ø Serves as agency representative to outside service providers, community agencies, and community members.
Ø Provides general oversight in facilitating day to day programming needs of each aspect of the program.
Ø Oversees all resident admissions and discharges.


July 2004-May 2005 Senior Vocational Counselor Project Renewal
Ø Provided vocational counseling to the formerly homeless, severely mentally ill population who present with dual diagnoses, substance abuse and criminal histories.
Ø Accomplished the above through psychological/behavioral assessments, development and implementation of comprehensive treatment plans (employment contracts), resume development, and interviewing skill training.
Ø Provided continued retention support through on-job shadowing, individual counseling sessions and crisis interventions.
Ø Designed resume and interview skill development curriculum for department.


April 2004-July 2004 Group Consultant Beacon Family Center (program of Cypress Hills)
Ø Contracted to facilitate an 8-week group of young Black and Latino males from the ages of 12-18.
Ø Group was psychoeducational and guidance oriented. The focus centered on root causes of anger, the management of that anger and self-image improvement.

April 2004-July 2004 Youth Development Counselor Cypress Hills Corporation
Ø Contracted by the DOE to develop and implement a program to service out-of-school high students with alternative educational options.
Ø Accomplished the above by providing individual & family counseling, academic tutoring, crisis intervention, advocacy and resource linkage.
Ø Designed intake documentation, treatment plans, vocational and educational assessment plans, and group facilitation curriculum under the direction of Program Director.


July 2003-April 2004 Senior Counselor Talbot Hall
Ø Provided cognitive-behavioral & REBT based clinical, relapse prevention, and educational interventions to male inmate population within a modified TC context.
Ø Accomplished the above through individual and group (process and creative) counseling sessions.
Ø Lectured curriculum focused on: relapse prevention, anger management, spirituality, family dynamics, work readiness, socialization skills, and community reintegration.
Ø Developed individualized treatment plans, conducted behavioral assessments, and developed continuing care plans prior to discharge.

March 2002-July 2003 Forensic Case Manager Services for the Underserved
Ø Provided case management services to MICA population and ex-offenders within scattered housing context.
Ø Accomplished the above through providing crisis intervention, medication monitoring, resource linkage and advocacy.
Ø Conducted intake interviews and updated biopsychosocial documentation.
Ø Developed service goals plans and provided quarterly assessment reviews.

March 2000- March 2002 Site Supervisor Elizabeth YMCA
Ø Directly supervised and managed the After School & Summer Day Camp Programs at the main site.
Ø Successfully supervised 8-10 staff members and 80-110 participants (ages 5-14).
Ø Developed and implemented educational activities; planned daily/weekly recreational activities.
Ø Facilitated weekly groups focused on socialization skills, self-image, hygiene, and academic improvement; conducted behavioral modification sessions with special needs participants.



September 1998-March 2000 Drug Prevention Specialist Harlem YMCA
Ø Facilitated Drug Prevention Curriculum (OASAS) for two After School & Summer Day Camp sites.
Ø Accomplished the above through lecturing, group discussions, and writing assignments.
Ø Directly supervised 3 staff members and 25 participants (ages 5-14)
Ø Developed and implemented educational activities; planned daily/weekly recreational activities.

PROFESSIONAL AFFLIATIONS
Ø APA (American Psychological Association) Membership
Ø Division 32 Humanistic Psychology Membership
Ø Former Vice President of Black Student Network (Teachers College, Columbia University)


CERTIFICATIONS
Ø Integration of Cognitive Remediation into Clinical & Rehabilitation Services (Workshop; CRC Approval, 6 Hours)
Ø Cultural Sensitivity & Competency (Workshop; 2 Hours)
Ø Employment Specialist Technical Assistance (CRC Approval, 3 Hours)

RESEARCH LAB HISTORY
Study: Short-Term Psychotherapy Research Lab (Teachers College, Columbia University)
Supervisor: Dr. Judy Kuriansky
Research Description: Worked in a team on the development of a brief psycho-educational and advice model to be utilized in non-traditional therapeutic forums (i.e. radio talk show advice, t.v. talk shows, and new media including internet applications).
Responsibilities: Review of literature and construction of hypotheses for testing the new advice model.

Study: Spirituality Research Lab (Teachers College, Columbia University)
Supervisor: Dr. Lisa Miller
Research Description: To examine how the role of spirituality and psychological health interact in the lives of adolescents. To examine how their concept of spirituality assisted or hindered self-development and self-perception.
Responsibilities: Transcribed qualitative interviews.

PUBLICATIONS
Gadsden, O. (2005). Adjusting to a new racial climate: maintenance of personal integrity. Journal of Religion & Health, Vol. 44, No. 3, pg. 263-266.


SKILLS
Ø Operating Systems: Windows, MAC
Ø Applications: Microsoft Office, Netscape Navigator, Excel, MS Explorer, SPSS

Email
Interests
Edits
Added on 03-20-2006
Updated on 03-20-2006





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