4791 Ola Lane, Walkertown, NC 27051

(352) 875-9636 alyssa.botte@gmail.com

Rev. Alyssa Szymanski Botte

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and Ordained Baptist minister with strong
interpersonal skills and passion for assisting a diverse range of persons to facilitate clinical,
spiritual and holistic wellness.

EDUCATION
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, May 2017
Master of Arts in Counseling, Concentration: Clinical Mental Health
Counseling
Master of Divinity

Samford University, Birmingham, AL, May 2013

Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Concentration: Congregational Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Family Studies

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Memory Counseling Program Counselor
Wake Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, August 2015- Present
Leads individual psychotherapy and family/couple counseling sessions for clients with
mild cognitive impairment and caregivers of those with dementia-related disease
Leads group counseling sessions for caregivers of those with dementia-related disease and
for couples in the early stages of Alzheimers
Coordinates intake activities and conducts social assessments for all incoming clientele
Coordinates research endeavors for counseling efficacy and outcome measures
Utilizes mindfulness, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and
resource development installation (RDI), and cognitive-behavioral strategies.
200 hours for practicum/600 hours for internship

Minister to Children & Youth

Pfafftown Baptist Church, Pfafftown, NC, August 2015- Present
Fosters spiritual development and provides emotional support to children, youth, and
families through programming, worship-leading, and relationship building
Collaborates with congregational committees and pastoral staff to choose and create
developmentally-appropriate curriculum and spiritual learning opportunities
Facilitates interfaith learning opportunities for children and youth
Oversees faith formation of individuals through pastoral care and by presiding over
ordinances

Chaplain
Wake Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, Summer 2015
Provided spiritual and pastoral care to families in need by being present with families in
times of crisis and trauma through Wakes Clinical Pastoral Education program
Fostered connections with patients and community resources
Leading in communal worship and in inpatient spirituality groups
 Provided meal vouchers for those lacking resources

Chaplain
Odyssey Hospice (Gentiva), Birmingham, AL, January 2012- May 2013
Collaborated with patient care team and patient advocacy representatives to develop and
maintain a holistic patient care plan to patients and families of those with terminal illnesses
Provided bereavement counseling and support to families
Conducted funerals for deceased patients and their families

Undergraduate Counseling Intern

Samaritan Counseling Center, Birmingham, AL, January-May 2011
Provided administrative work for counseling practice
Processed intake assessments for clinicians on staff
Conducted research on clinical practices and ethical considerations
Developed prevention programming for community mental health issues

CERTIFICATIONS & ADVANCED TRAINING

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing
Level I & II training from EMDRIA (July 2016)

PREPARE/ENRICH
Pre-marital/marital counseling certification (September 2015)

Clinical Pastoral Education Unit

Level I (July 2015)

Rape Response Advocate

Training through SANE program (January 2012)

National Suicide Line Responder

Training through the National Suicide Response Program (September 2011)

PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

Botte, A. (February 2017). Unique elements of counseling military service members with
traumatic brain injury. North Carolina Counseling Association, Durham, NC.
Botte, A. (February 2016). Treatment efficacy for antisocial personality disorder: Recent
research and interdisciplinary advances. North Carolina Counseling Association, Greensboro,
NC.
Szymanski, A. (2013). Faith communities: Diversity that fosters social learning. National
Council of Family Relations Network., (25), 2, 13.
Birkenfeld, K., Brown, K., Green, A., Hoaglund, A., Kiser, C., Szymanski, A. (February
2013). Family engagement in education, Southeastern Council of Family Relations & Alabama
Family Therapy Conference, Birmingham, AL.