Clinical Mental Health Counseling Candidate, Grand Canyon University

Andrea Tabares

Bilingual medical physician turned counselor-in-training, integrating medical expertise with evidence-based, person-centered counseling care.

Professional headshot of Andrea Tabares

About me

Welcome to my professional e-Portfolio

My name is Andrea Tabares, and I am a bilingual professional with a background in medicine who is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University. My professional journey reflects my passion for understanding and supporting people from a holistic perspective, recognizing the important connection between physical, emotional, social, and mental well-being.

As I continue developing my identity as a counselor, I am particularly interested in integrating my previous medical knowledge with evidence-based counseling approaches while providing compassionate, culturally responsive, and person-centered care. My experiences working with diverse populations have strengthened my appreciation for each individual's unique background, values, strengths, and life experiences.

I am currently completing my clinical training at Grace Medical Home, where I have the opportunity to learn within an integrated health care environment serving uninsured and underserved individuals and families. Working alongside professionals from different disciplines is helping me further develop my counseling skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, psychological, and environmental factors that influence a person's overall well-being.

I view becoming a counselor as an ongoing process of professional and personal growth. I value empathy, authenticity, self-awareness, cultural humility, ethical practice, and lifelong learning as essential components of the counselor-client relationship. My goal is to create a supportive and collaborative environment in which clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to recognize their strengths and work toward meaningful change.

This e-Portfolio represents my continued development as a clinical mental health counselor and documents the experiences, knowledge, skills, reflections, and professional values that are shaping my counselor identity.

Resume

Professional background

Patient care and healthcare coordination experience, now growing into clinical mental health counseling.

Education

Master of Science, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Grand Canyon University — CACREP-accredited program · GPA 3.8/4.0 · Jan 2023 – Present

Bachelor of Medicine, General Medicine

Universidad Autónoma de las Américas, Colombia · GPA 4.1/5.0 · Jan 2012 – Dec 2017

Languages

  • EnglishFull professional proficiency
  • SpanishNative / bilingual proficiency

Certifications & licenses

  • Registered Phlebotomy Technician — Healthcare Professionals Registry of the USFeb 2022
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Vital Support — American Heart AssociationSep 2016
  • Basic Life Support — American Heart AssociationSep 2016
  • Neonatal Resuscitation — American Heart AssociationFeb 2016
  • Certified Nursing Assistant — Division of Medical Quality AssuranceFeb 2016
  • Domestic Violence — Professional Nursing AcademyNov 2003
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases — Professional Nursing AcademyOct 2003
  • First Aid — American Red CrossOct 2003
  • CPR — Adults, Infants & Children — American Red CrossOct 2003
  • Disease Prevention — American Red CrossOct 2003

Core skills

Patient care coordination EMR/EHR documentation Prior authorization Chronic disease management Case management Medical terminology & anatomy Team leadership Client communication Managed care compliance Vital signs & health assessment Bilingual (English/Spanish) CPR & emergency response

Professional experience

Clinical Mental Health Counselor Intern

Grace Medical Home · Orlando, FL · Aug 2026 – Present

  • Completing graduate clinical practicum within an integrated healthcare setting serving uninsured and underserved individuals and families in Central Florida.
  • Support intake, biopsychosocial assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning under clinical supervision, applying CBT, DBT, solution-focused, and person-centered approaches.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary care team meetings and community initiatives, including the Food Is Medicine program, addressing social determinants of health.

Project Manager

Soprano · Orlando, FL · Mar 2023 – Present

  • Coordinate cross-functional teams executing digital and traditional marketing campaigns, keeping delivery aligned with client objectives, timelines, and budgets.
  • Serve as primary client point of contact, tracking KPIs and managing stakeholder communication across creative, content, and analytics teams.

Case Manager Assistant

Primary Healthcare Associates · Orlando, FL · Oct 2021 – Mar 2023

  • Reviewed inpatient and ER census lists daily, coordinating post-admission follow-up and continuity of care for discharged patients.
  • Managed Medicare HMO compliance reporting and patient education for chronic and acute condition management.

Medical Assistant

Physician Surgical Network – Athena Medical Group · Orlando, FL · Feb 2019 – Oct 2021

  • Managed prior authorizations for oral, injection, and infusion medications, including complex buy-and-bill cases.
  • Administered IV medications and maintained digital patient records across E-Clinical and E-Medical systems.

Medical Physician

Gastroelite – Gastroenterology Medical Center · Colombia · Aug 2018 – Dec 2018

  • Documented patient histories and educated patients on treatments, medications, and dietary requirements.

Medical Physician

E.S.E. Salud Pereira – Hospital de Kennedy · Colombia · Jan 2018 – Feb 2018

  • Diagnosed and treated acute and chronic conditions in a high-volume hospital setting, coordinating care across multidisciplinary teams.

Medical Physician – Internship

San Jorge Hospital · Colombia · Jan 2017 – Dec 2017

  • Conducted patient assessments and clinical documentation under physician supervision, supporting multidisciplinary care coordination.

Medical Intern

Hospital General de México · Mexico · Jun 2017 – Aug 2017

  • Supported emergency room procedures and patient anamnesis, using EHR systems to maintain accurate records.

Additional early experience

Receptionist, ABB, Colombia (2009) · Receptionist, Soratama Hotel, Colombia (2008) · Retail Sales Associate, Papaya Clothing Store, Orlando (2003–2004)

Home page section

Letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation will be added here as they are received.

Get in touch

Contact

I welcome questions about my e-Portfolio, clinical training, or professional background — feel free to reach out by email or phone.

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