Laura Yahney

SUMMARY:  Health/Counseling  Psychologist with extensive background in human behavior, Process of Change, Exercise Prescription, Weight Loss and Management, Recovery from Substances, Diabetes Management, Smoking Cessation, Sleep Hygiene and Mood Stabilization

 Passionate NETA Certified Aerobics Instructor with an extensive background in leading various, appropriate types of aerobics programs and activities, including but not limited to: cardio-interval, hi-low aerobic, weight training, boot camp, kickboxing, MMA step and yoga.

EXPERIENCE:

07/20/2011- Present: Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs                          Canton, OH

Psychologist

• Facilitate several psycho-educational groups on various health related subjects (i.e.  Process of Change, Stress Reduction, Therapeutic Yoga, Sleep hygiene, Smoking Cessation, Weight loss and management and Diabetes management).
• Individual therapy regarding the initial start of behavioral health habits, overcoming obstacles, developing solutions to conquer barriers, development of action plan and maintenance of health behavior habits.
• Lectured on the benefits and appropriate Utilization of Exercise Prescription to entire VISN.
• Served as the lead clinical consultant to the medical center staff on health behavior coaching.
• Maintained awareness and provided consultation on evidence based health behavior interventions in order to promote health and prevent disease, and provided effective coaching methods by medical center staff.
• Worked with multidisciplinary leadership to provide specific training and consultation with Primary Care Nurses and others to facilitate effective health behavior coaching (i.e., healthy lifestyle coaching to support patient self-management) and build and maintain competencies in health behavior coaching.
• Contributed to training of medical and allied health professionals in evidence-based methodologies to effectively communicate with, motivate, coach, and support patients in being aware of relevant health risks, clarifying personal goals for health promotion and disease prevention change, developing individualized patient self-management plans, and maintaining these healthy behaviors.
• For individual and group care: planed, developed, adapted, implemented and assessed efficacy of health behavior interventions for the promotion of general health and to address health risk behaviors as part of disease prevention and chronic disease management (e.g., weight loss and maintenance, tobacco use cessation, promoting patient self-management interventions targeting issues such as increasing participation in regular exercise, healthy eating, sleep hygiene).
• Developed smoking and tobacco use cessation clinical initiatives for individuals and groups.
• Contributed and expanded behavioral health programs (i.e. weight loss, weight management, health and wellness for care- givers) for individuals, groups and employees.  
• Performed specialty health psychology assessment/intervention (e.g., patients with particular behavioral issues, patients with unique or complex problems impacting their health promotion/disease prevention self-management plans).
• Consulted with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues involving health behavior.

Lectured on Published Dissertation Research: Personality Typology and Motivational Cuing for the adherence of an Exercise Program.

Served on Healthcare System committees specifically relating to assessment, and intervention issues associated with the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

Shaw of JCC, Akron OH

• Maintain equipment inventories; and select, store, and issue equipment as needed.
• Maintain fitness equipment. 
• Organize and conduct competitions and tournaments.
• Provide students with information and resources regarding nutrition, weight control, and lifestyle issues. 
• Promote health clubs through membership sales, and record member information.
• Conduct therapeutic, recreational, or athletic activities.
• Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
• Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
• Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels in order to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
• Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
• Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
• Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness. 
• Plan physical education programs to promote development of participants' physical attributes and social skills.
• Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
• Teach and demonstrate use of gymnastic and training equipment such as trampolines and weights.
• Teach individual and team sports to participants through instruction and demonstration, utilizing knowledge of sports techniques and of participants' physical capabilities.
• Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.
• Administer emergency first aid, wrap injuries, treat minor chronic disabilities, or refer injured persons to physicians.
• Advise clients about proper clothing and shoes.

Aerobics Instructor

• Continually supervised all fitness/aerobics areas during class times to provide a relatively safe and effective and motivating environment for physical activity.
• Continually assessed the participants and their ability level.
• Communicated to participant any concern or difficulty.
• Set up facility for any activity that was needed for assigned class.
• Observed and taught good body mechanics.
• Worked regularly with participants to enhance their knowledge of exercise, body alignment and exercise safety.
• Recorded attendance for the exercise class.
• Demonstrated an awareness of self-responsibility and accountability.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to participant/significant others' rights as identified within hospital policy.
• Remained flexible in staffing patterns and resolution of staffing conflicts.
• Participated in assignment for activities/programs as needed.
• Worked cooperatively with peers to contribute to the overall productivity of the team.

05/18/2008 Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center         Cleveland, Ohio

• Domiciliary Psychologist:  Developing programs to assist with maintaining sobriety, learning healthy life skills and how to cope with Dual diagnosis as it pertains to adhering to a sober lifestyle.  Facilitating groups and utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address individual needs as well. 
• In addition, to group and individual therapy utilizing and administering  full battery of psychological testing to gain insight into the patient’s strengths and limitations as it pertains to decision making and symptom management.  The testing results were used to educate and inform other treatment team members to promote a strong sense of continuity of care and holistic approach when working with the veteran to achieve their treatment goals.
• Community Living Center Psychologist: Developed programs to addressed mental, physical and emotional issues as it pertained to adults and older adults. Worked with patients, staff and treatment teams with regards to recognizing age-related physical and psychosocial changes and stressors (i.e. adjustment disorders, mood disorder, behavioral health, substance abuse, serious mental illness). Performed assessment of physical and psychosocial functionality in older adults. Identified factors that distinguish between reversible confusion and dementia. Recognize the altered effects of medication on the older adult population and the implications of care with regards to medical interventions.  Worked with patients, staff and interns in recognizing principles of hospice and palliative care.  In addition, educated and implemented various techniques and coping skills for family caregivers who were going through life role transitions of their loved ones.
• Mansfield Community Outpatient Clinic and HBPC:  Worked with a variety of patient (i.e. psychological issues as related to medical conditions, head injuries, substance abuse, couples and family therapy). In addition, worked with a shared medical appointment to co facilitate Diabetic Management Group.  Developed a pain management group for patients coping with long term pain and the psychological issues that correspond with change in health status scenarios.
• Supervision of Interns and Post Doctorates; Supervision of interns in the above areas: with utilizing their theoretical approach with patient care, applying their model to their own professional development and trying to encourage personal growth through various experiences.
• Presentations to the Cleveland VA staff:
• Prevention of Care Giver Burnout: The lecture focused on the unique stressors involved with working in the health care arena. Main points covered were: understanding professional burnout, elaborating how burnout develops and offering a model with which to identify job stressors.
• Utilizing Exercise as an Integral Component of a Treatment Plan.  The lecture focused on educated staff on the increasing rate of obesity in our veteran population and the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.  Discussed the positive aspects of incorporating exercise as a valuable component to treatment; improved mood stabilization, a technique for pain management, reduction of negative health risks and a way to reduce to daily stressors.
• Treatment and Care of Individuals Diagnosed with Axis II Personality Disorders: The lecture focused on the importance of recognizing and accurately diagnosing Axis II Personality disorder with regards to the direction of treatment and development of treatment goals. Main points of the lecture; distinguishing between Clusters and learning specific characteristics of Personality Disorders, how to discuss open and honestly with patients about their diagnoses and how to prepare staff to cope with specific behaviors as related to an Axis II diagnosis.

Education and Professional Training
 

PhD in Psychology 2004 (University of Akron)

Post Doctorate in Health Psychology

Certification in CPR and First Aid

NETA certified since 2000

YogaFit Certified since 2004