Mercedes H, LCSW
Department Head of Social Work, Therapy Case Manager
Blue Bird Day Employee Since 2020
Credentials and Certifications
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Certificate in Evidenced-Based Mental Health Practice with Children
- CPR/First Aid Certification
Clinical Expertise
- Evidence-based mental health practice in children and adolescents
- Attachment and relationship-based approaches to behavioral interventions and caregiving
- Trauma-informed care
- Family dynamics and its impact on behavior and mental health
- Person in environment approaches related to behavior and mental health
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Mindfulness
- Collaborative and proactive solutions
- Crisis management and de-escalation techniques
- Zones of regulation
- Individual, group, family therapy
My Story
I am blessed to be working in a field that allows me to constantly learn. Social work looks at the many entities that affect an individual or a group and allows collaboration to problem-solve, advocate, and empower them. My interest in working with children and families stems from wanting to do exactly that for them and with them. It’s amazing to witness and celebrate the growth and change within an individual, even more so in a child! I’ve worked in many clinical settings such as behavioral residential homes for children under DCFS care, an inpatient psychology unit for children and adolescents, partial hospitalization programs for adolescents, outpatient therapy work with children and families, and community-based mental health organizations. Each of these experiences has contributed to my growth and learning in the field of social work. I focus on the effects of a person within their environments, how their experiences shape their individuality and the effects of their interactions with others and their world.
My Education
Masters of Social Work,
University of Illinois at Chicago
Bachelor of Science in Psychology,
Loyola University Chicago
My Blue Bird Day
It’s been so great to work with a multidisciplinary team in order to provide the best care to our children and their families. I always look forward to working with the kiddos and my colleagues as I see each moment as another opportunity to learn and grow. I’m a believer that the early years of your life make an impact so it’s been amazing to see the growth and change in my kids and their families!
My Professional Goals
- I want to learn more about sensory integration and how that plays a part in our children’s viewpoint of the world. I always want to explore multicultural and generational factors that contribute to caregiving and family dynamics.
Blue Bird Day
Blue Bird Day fosters socialization, sensory regulation, and pre-academic learning in children ages 2–7 years in therapeutic rotations that simulate preschool and kindergarten settings. Our compassionate therapists practice a relationship-based and family-centered approach, provide parent training, and collaborate on goals and individualized intensive treatment plans for your child.
We believe in a collaborative and multi-disciplinary team approach to therapy. A team of occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, dietitians, developmental therapists, behavioral therapists, physical therapists, and therapeutic assistants are created for each child to ensure child and family are fully supported and the best possible results are achieved.
Options for individualized, group and virtual therapy sessions are available as well.
Want to learn more or you have a specific question? Feel free to connect with us here!