Personal Narrative: A Career In Counseling

I have wanted to be a counselor since my freshmen year of high school and in the counseling field there are many specialties that I can focus on. I am fairly certain that I want to specialize in helping people with substance abuse and their families. I have always focused my studies, interests, and work on things that will help me in this field and I have a lot of qualities that help to enhance me in my eventual career. There are difficulties when I get to practice also like what people perceive as correct counseling style, challenges with my gender and race, and finally creating my own counseling style and plans.

After earning my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Rutgers University, I have learned that I have a sincere passion for the Counseling field in particular. Growing up, I was never too sure what I wanted a career in. However, my mother always told me that whatever decision I make, it should benefit others as well, because ultimately the best success is when you know you have impacted the lives of others in a positive way. I have been very fortunate to have had the experience in working with children that range from ages 0-21. I have worked with young toddlers and infants in a Montessori school, as well as with children and teenagers that have been diagnosed with Autism and other disorders. Working in a diverse population has benefitted me in numerous ways and greatly shaped my interest in the counseling field.

Throughout history in the United States, we have multiplied the amount of individuals who are considering or participating in the fields: social work and/or counselor. These career fields are not always positive because individuals see situations that makes them cringe. However, there is a lot of rewarding aspects of these specific fields, each individuals learns how to help individuals with hard situations, help parents understand about why a child is acting a certain way, and help individuals who are seeking help for a various of reasons. Having a career you are passionate about should not matter if you are getting paid a million bucks to a dollar, it should be about the love and compassion you have to help a person in need.

I woke up and took one bite out of my pop tart but that one bite was all I could eat. My legs were shaking, and my heart was pounding. My dad told me, “It is a true honor to even make it this far so go out there and have some fun.” Once I heard this statement, I knew I was ready to go. I arrived at school and boarded the bus. The car ride was an hour and fifteen minutes of hearing the squeaking of the wheel on the bus. My teammates were getting their heads ready for the big game.

I never thought that I'd be writing to you out of all people. Everyone may question my sanity once they figure out I've been trying to write to you ever since you were convicted five years ago. It's just.... I couldn’t find the right words to explain how badly you hurt me. However, my therapist said that writing this letter will help me accept the fact that I made the dumbest mistake in the world seven years ago when we got married. Oh yeah, I'm going to a therapist. I find that quite ironic since one day I thought I could become a therapist, and specialize in women sciences, but instead, I'm going to one.

I first knew that I wanted to be a counselor as a child. No one in particular inspired me to want to be a counselor, but I do feel that I chose marriage and family therapy due to the issues that my family has or had and never thought to seek counsel. There are many families out there that have issues but do not believe in therapy. My own parents do not see the usefulness of as they say, going to sit on someone’s couch and pay them to listen to your problems. As a child I can recall sometimes thinking if I just had someone to talk to that would understand. That is why I chose to become a marriage and family therapist, to help all the people that want help.

I am Kristen Perkins. I have two children, Savannah, and Dakota. I am a single Mother,I work full time, and I am going to school full time. This is going to be a challenging, yet rewarding time for me. Once I get into a routine, and get my time management down pat I have full confidence in myself that I will do just fine. My program of study is in the Human Services field. In my field of study I intend upon being a substance abuse counselor. Being able to help others has always been a passion of mine. This past December my Husband passed away from overdosing on drugs. It was then that I realized what I was meant to do with my life. I could not save him, but I hope that the skills that I will learn in these next two years will prepare me to

“I want to live.” She said. She lifted her feet off the small coffee table and set them gently on the floor as she continued to look through me, too interested on the inner workings of her own mind.

Though I have another year and a half before I complete my schooling, it is always important to find out as much information about my future field of work. Knowing what is to be expected when going in for a job interview will not only be a bonus for myself, but allow me to feel confident when giving answers.

Working with substance abuse clients fits with my career goal as I am pursuing the degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The reason for entering the counseling field was/is a genuine desire to help people who are going through difficult time in their lives and to show them there is a way out and there is a life that is worth of living. Personally, I have not experienced or have had people who abused substances, (overly) however, from the grief experience to a caregiver role intrigued me to pursue mental health as a whole. It is clear that mental health and substance abuse can have a powerful effect on one health, his/her family, and community. Having this in my mind, is nothing could be more rewarding than knowing that I could save

If I read your mind, what would I find? Would you be thinking about your plans tonight or all the havoc your puppy is causing at home while you are away? Perhaps you are dreading your in-laws’ annual Thanksgiving visit, or reading another graduate school essay. More importantly, if I asked what you were thinking, would you answer me honestly?

Over the course of my internship, I have attended additional trainings and received certifications for my anticipated career in Mental Health Counseling. I have had the opportunity to attend a training and become CPR certified, become a Suicide Prevention QPR Certified Gatekeeper, in addition to registering for a Mental Health First Aid training. Within the agency, I was provided trainings on Credible, our documentation database, EVS to run client’s state funded insurance, and Navinet to run commercial or private insurance for clients. Human Services, Inc. provides one hour of training on Credible, which I believe should be improved. Also, more training should be provided when it comes to insurance because knowing and understanding insurance

A thoughtful statement answering the question, "Why do I think I am suited to the field of professional counseling?"

I had just turned sixteen, the year of driver license, college campus tours, and the peak of teenage angst, when my school's guidance counselor requested for my mom and dad to be brought in for what she described as a “heart to heart” confrontation.

Do you believe that your role as a therapist will end at the end of the day or will it be present in your personal life also?