BRITTANY

R. BALASSONE

bbalassone@niu.edu | 815-954-4854 | she, her, herself

EDUCATION

Master of Science in Education, School Counseling Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Certificate: Sport and Exercise Psychology Minors: Cognitive Studies, Family and Child Studies
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.
Expected Graduation: May 2021 May 2018

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Glenbard West High School, Glen Ellyn, IL. August 2020 - Present
School Counseling Substitute/School Counseling Intern
• Executed responsibilities of two full-time counselors on maternity leave managing caseloads of roughly 600 students.
• Counseled students in college planning, career exploration, academic performance, and social-emotional needs.
• Developed and implemented social-emotional and career exploration curriculum in person and virtually to freshmen
and sophomores as part of the school counseling PLC.
• Targeted sophomores and juniors for early intervention planning for our first-generation college curriculum and
helped execute curriculum by providing group support to college-bound students.
• Co-led a 6 week transfer group for new students and co-led PRISM club (Gay-Straight Alliance) to provide support and
unity for students.
• Collaborated with social workers, deans, school psychologists, and teachers through a problem solving team and
utilized academic interventions to meet the needs of high-risk students.
• Advised and enrolled 61 incoming freshmen and 140 current students in courses focused on graduation requirements
and personal interests using PowerSchool.
• Provided support for special education students during IEP and 504 meetings by advocating and assisting with their
secondary transition.
• Utilized various Naviance tools including application manager, transcript request manager, surveys, analyzed data,
and participated in Naviance Site Committee meetings for District 87’s 4 high schools.
• Created student of the month reward and recognition programs and promoted virtual classroom involvement to
students at large as part of the PBIS committee.
• Assisted site supervisor in planning and proctoring high school standardized tests (ACT and SAT).
• Supported social-emotional needs of students virtually and in-person to provide flexibility during a pandemic.

Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. August 2020 – December 2020
Sport Psychology Learning Specialist
• Worked in partnership with Student-Athlete Academic Support Services to facilitate success of student athletes.
• Assisted student athletes in developing time-management, organization, and skills to help them succeed academically
• Helped foster a sense of independent learning by focusing on skills that match their individual learning style.
• Counseled student athletes through mental blocks, performance anxiety, and pressures related to student athletes.
• Connected athletic strengths to everyday life-skills to promote academic success and overall well-being.

Downers Grove North High School, Downers Grove, IL. January 2020 – May 2020
School Counseling Practicum
• Counseled high school students using solution-focused and person-centered approaches to address self-esteem, social
skills, academics, college preparation, career planning, family issues, behavioral issues, and stressors.
• Co-facilitated weekly groups working with first generation juniors to help students prepare for life after graduation.
• Developed group curriculum with school counselors to help students with college search and identifying barriers.

Auburn High School, Rockford, IL. January 2020 – May 2020
Rainbows Group Facilitator
• Co-facilitated 6 week counseling groups to provide social-emotional support for students experiencing grief and loss.
• Created a group curriculum with co-facilitator focusing on building rapport, identifying emotions, recognizing support
systems, coping strategies, and processing grief.
• Completed Rainbows for All Children facilitator training to best assist students experiencing loss and trauma.

 BRITTANY R. BALASSONE
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. January 2020 – May 2020
Clinical Counseling Practicum
• Provided free counseling services to college students and community members, varying in age, gender, sexuality, and
cultural background to support social-emotional needs and daily stressors.
• Administered assessments, created treatment plans, and conducted interventions to measure progress with clients.
• Participated in weekly group and individual supervision to process skills and develop future steps.
• Recorded and filed DAP notes to assess and plan sessions.

Skills Instructor | Nfinity Skills Academy June 2020 - Present
• Lead skills-focused camps to cheerleading teams Nation-wide.
• Provided personalized instruction and choreography based on needs of the team.
• Worked with a range of levels including high-school, college, and all-star.

Graduate Advisor | Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. July 2018 – May 2020
• Advised 12 men’s fraternities composed of over 500 students.
• Ensured actions of organizations and members are in accordance with policies and procedures of Northern Illinois
University, National Headquarters, Illinois, and DeKalb by providing workshops and presentations.
• Worked with Interfraternity Council Executive Board and Chapter Presidents to discuss goals, paperwork, event
planning, and needs of the council to ensure the community’s needs are being met.
• Responded to conflict undergraduate students experience within fraternity or the community by meeting with
members individually and in groups.
• Assisted Interfraternity Council Executive Board update bylaws and policies to ensure the safety and best interest of
the community.
• Helped the Interfraternity Council create a structured recruitment process to better the Greek involvement.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Using Play Therapy with children who have experienced trauma. Poster presented at the 2019 Illinois Counseling
Association Conference, Skokie, IL.
• Lelakowska, G., Kanya, M. J., Balassone, B. R., Savoree, S. L., Boddy, L. E., Power, T. G., & Bridgett, D. J. (2019).
Toddlers’ impulsivity, inhibitory control, and maternal eating-related supervision in relation to toddler body mass
index: Direct and interactive effects. Appetite,142, 104343. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2019.104343

LEADERSHIP AND INVOLVEMENT

NCAA Division 1 Cheerleader | Captain | Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. 2014 – 2018

Alpha Sigma Alpha | Secretary | Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. 2015 – 2018

VOLUNTEER

Mattea’s Joy Orgnization, 2010 – Present Girls on the Run, 2015 - 2018
Huskie Food Pantry, 2018 – 2020 Special Olympics, 2015 - 2018
NIU Cares Day, 2017 – 2020

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Counseling Association American School Counseling Association
Illinois Counseling Association Chi Sigma Iota, Counseling Honors Society
National Society of Collegiate Scholars