My Clinical Experience At Lewis Outpatient Counseling Agency

During and immediately after my undergraduate course, I had the opportunity to work as a volunteer at the American Counseling Association and as a houseparent for an institution that houses mentally ill individuals. The association welcomes students and encourages them to offer voluntary services while they have an opportunity. My experience at the association, as a houseparent, and currently as a paraprofessional for mentally ill adults and children with behavioral problems provided me with a solid footing as well as the necessary resources to prepare for my career in counseling. The experiences gave me an opportunity to attend several conferences and workshops where I had the chance to meet and interact with other professional counselors. These opportunities opened me up and exposed me to numerous challenging situations that helped me to grow both personally and professionally. Interacting with more qualified and experienced people in the association, institution for the mentally ill, and agency that I currently work for has helped me to develop confidence in my work as I sought their assistance and guidance whenever I needed help. The experiences gained while working at the association was helpful to me as I could apply that knowledge and the skills learnt to help my church members. At my church, I was a youth leader and

What issues do you imagine will be most challenging for you as a counselor-in-training? Why? Transitioning! I imagine the occupational transition of exiting from an entry level counseling position requiring only a bachelor’s level degree, to a more advanced counseling position that will require additional certifications to be challenging. Current educational modalities are often presented through a social learning environment. Once an individual has acquired the necessary skills and knowledge, this information can be applied to build upon the entry levels skills that have been attained during my previous counseling experiences. I can then utilize this knowledge to my own advantage as I discover what counseling approaches best complete my skill set and personality. We all have our own distinct personality. However, I realize, I would have to learn what works best for me and the clients in which I

My first encounter with a patient has been rather difficult: it was my mother. When our family used to live in the Philippines, there was an armed robbery in our house. While the intruders left our family alive, their damage was felt. My mother began suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Seeing her suffer pained me. Despite my numerous attempts to calm her, however, she remained distressed. If I had ever understood helplessness, it was problem then. It was the pain of the inability to help someone you love.

That I collect information about different alternative and go over them. It said that my decisions seem analytical; I evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each option. It said that I take a long time to make a decision, which is true in many circumstances. I feel that I can be an indecisive person sometimes. It also identified that I want to be the one responsible for my decisions and don’t try to transfer the decisions to others. I do like to consult family about my career decisions but I feel that I don’t let them make the decision and I take responsibility for the decision I make. Additionally it identified that I do not feel the need to please others and don’t make decisions based on others expectations. Furthermore it said that I am willing to compromise and that I seem ot understand the limitations of reality and I am not be able to have all of what I want. In summary it say that I should collect information and invest time and energy into the decision making process. I should consult those closest to me when making a decision, along with, consulting with professionals already in the field. I need to be aware of how my decisions can impact others. Remembering these will help me during the career decisions making process in the

Coming to the end of my training, I believe that I possess the basic therapy and assessment skills to provide services to client without causing harm. I am also cognizant of the possible ethical dilemmas and have the analytical skills to problem-solve these challenges.

There is so much to learn that was never covered in school. The semester was too short for practicum. I tried to cram many hours in a short period of time. I noticed the back to back client sessions can be mentally exhausting. I have learned as a beginning counselor I will need to have some time in between sessions. The time in between sessions will give me a chance to clear my mind for the next client and write brief notes from the last session. I noticed that hour long sessions is the longest form of session I feel comfortable. I think any session longer then an hour is too long and I want the client to benefit from my skills. I realize school cannot cover everything, but there have been somethings I think should be addressed. The treatment planning books for children and adults are useful in helping new clients formulate treatments plans. The treatment plans I have written I found these book very useful. The book help with evidence based ideas on several disorders. These are the types of things which classes do not seem to teach. I think practicum has exposed me to many helpful techniques and books to further my education. Practicum is the first real life expose to counseling and I feel I have good supervision. It is nice to have two supervisors which see different types of clients, children and adults. This helps me become a more rounded

She provided the client with other phrasings of the questions, which allowed the client to think in a different way and respond more appropriately. This was a great experience for me. I was able to see push back in a real patient interaction. The leader had great responses to her, which made the group a more comfortable and open atmosphere. After it seemed like the leader finally came to an understanding with the patient, the patient stood up and said, “I don't want to do this”. The patient then decided to leave the group. The leader had a great response. The leader took that time to discuss how not all groups and interventions are for everyone. She explained that coloring or drawing could be very therapeutic for some and not for others. The way she handled a very desterilizing situation for the group, allowed the group to keep going and stay on

What is the reason why I am choosing a counseling profession? I want to felicitate healing. I want to bring healing internally by sorting people problems. There are many people that are suffering. Due to someone has died who meant a lot to the client. I want work as a conduit, a channel for sort out pain and grief with understanding and a pace of mind.

You mentioned that your current internship requirements are being fulfilled at a mental health facility. As Garthwait (2014) states, practicum experience is limited to a specific type of setting and naturally other placements can and will be quite unique. At my field placement, although I have encountered clients with prior mental health challenges, mental health counseling is not my primary area of concentration thus, my method of intervention is focusing on two areas my client would like assistance in and providing counseling services which include talk therapy, incorporating games and or activities in sessions, and incorporating frameworks in counseling such as empowerment and strength-based perspectives to name a few. Ciera, what are some

One of the most telling things about rating me and the organization, for which I work, is five years ago the rating would have been much lower in all areas. My maturity as a person, along with a better understanding of how a community mental health organization works, has helped me understand the support structure of Carey Counseling Center. As a not for profit, we run a fine line in a lot of financial areas that other organizations do not have to contend with. Fortune 500 companies want to bring in as much capital as possible as their primary objective, where a community mental health must serve the common good while hoping to keep the lights on. Armed with this knowledge I will say Carey has a very informative training process, and have

Carey Counseling Center has served the mental health needs of west Tennesseans for several decades and the clients are the most affected portion of the paradigm with their mental health needs being legislated and grant written. When the legislators in Tennessee demand the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation cut their budget by percentage points, the contracts of insurance companies come into question. The issue relates to who is most affected with this paradigm shift and the answer is the consumer. If it does not bring in enough revenue, CCC will be forced to close whatever service was crippling the business of CCC and the client is typically the source of change whether they like it or not.

When I was in middle school I had a really rough time. I was emotionally distraught and generally confused about myself and where I fit in the world. My parents had divorced when I was eleven, and my Dad who had been diagnosed with PTSD was in and out of the picture. My mother who had tried to reach me every way she could felt helpless until our family Doctor gave her the name of a child therapist. This woman was amazing! She listened to me without judgement and offered solutions to help soothe my bottled emotions. She helped me to realize it was okay to be just who I was. She validated my feelings and she changed my life. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be a counselor.

Personally, what I thought was a good clinical experience was being able to spend time with the residents. I know we were there to practice our skills and learn from experienced NAC’s. But it had felt amazing knowing we were able to spend time with the residents and make their day better. Although, I had spent quite a bit of time with the residents, Gemma and I were able to learn a lot from our NAC’s we had. Our NAC’s let us transfer residents, practice peri-care and change

Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology awarded by Edith Cowan University, I have high aspirations to further my current knowledge and gain a higher level of counselling insights prior reaching age 30. My willingness to learn and seek higher grounds of knowledge and research, coupled with the interactions and experiences I have gained through volunteering for events and work experiences sum up for my strong level of commitment. I believe very strongly in the uniqueness and great potentials of each individual,

D-The patient arrived on time for her counseling session. Reported stability on her current dose and denies the need for a dose increase or decrease when offered by this writer. The patient located a specialist that specialize with issues with legs, back, knees, and neck at Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital. The patient is scheduled to see this specialist in March. The specialist name is Dr. Shagman. Patient signed an ROI. Then the patient requested for an increase of 5mgs due to withdrawals of " really bad pain when sleeping, cramps, chills, hot/cold flashes, and nausea." When questioned about the longestivity of the symptoms and her response was, " For about a month and a half....I know....I know... I should have said something, but I