Personal Narrative: My Decision To Enter Into Mental Health Counseling

I’ve always been passionate about understanding others; stepping into their shoes and seeing, thinking, and appreciating the lives they live. I think it is important to take that extra step and see things from a different point of view. It is the only way to achieve a true understanding. I believe in this philosophy so much so, that it’s one of the main reasons I have this blog; to give others a glimpse of a life with mental illness. I’ve been in treatment for 2 months and 26 days and I think it’s time for another peek into my brain.

It’s a struggle to get out of bed sometimes, I often just sit there struggling to comprehend the sequence of events which have taken place over the past year. I mean, I’m used to this now, its normal to me, but the fact that this has happened and that I am now ‘disabled’ as people would put it is hard to get my head around. And every time I look down I’m reminded of the pain and the struggle I faced, it’s a physical scar which links me to my grueling past, a physical and emotional journey.

“How can I be good again? I just lost my wife and son in a car accident. There's nothing in life that can cheer me up. I have become an alcoholic who is now jobless.” I said. My Therapist, Dr. Newman, told me “Trust me, Mr. Smith. Only time can heal your wounds if you allow it to. Well, that's the end of the session, and I want to recall the accident that occurred so we can talk about it tomorrow.”

Bob is in a cop car going to the mental hospital for the 100th time. Bob is asking the police officer Aleck.

Still till this day he hasn't got arrested or the detectives have not gave me updates . RIght now am doing very good i still go to therapy if didn't i think i would be a big mess.it has helped me alot i have become a better person it made see things different. I do sometimes have my bad days and weeks but i go thru them . it's hard for me to come to school every year since i told my parents . if we have a 3 day weekend it hard for me to come back to school and get used to the people .

I've been clean from self harm for quite a few months now and I'm not sure how I feel anymore

An accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that played a key role in shaping who I am today was we when I no longer treatment for my mental illness – Major Depressive Disorder.

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

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

Mental health disorders can affect anyone regardless of how much we make, what we do for work, or where we live. It is also very difficult for most people to be able to afford to pay for mental health services. In a recent article in the newspaper it mentioned how people are having a hard time to afford rents in this area. When it comes down to be able to pay your rent, paying for mental health therapy, or mental health prescriptions, rent will win every time. I work full time and I looked into how much it would cost for ongoing mental health treatment if it were necessary, and the cost is astounding, and that’s with insurance. There are regular visits with Primary Care Physicians that are required to monitor your progress which has a

As I began this counseling journey and foot into another community college, I did not have any expectations as I wanted to gain and learn as much as possible. I knew that I had to come into this process with an open mind and heart to gain as much insight as possible. Just as when I had least expected, I walked into the unknown of what will come through the door. I came across a student that seemed normal and nothing out of the ordinary. However, Marc opened up in the first session that he was diagnosed with autism which I was surprised. I have not yet worked with any individual with any disabilities and it definitely opened up my eyes. These past couple of sessions with Marc pushed me to go out of my comfort zone and feel more comfortable in

Currently I am trying to get my certification for counseling, needing only a high school diploma and this certification I will be able to start on my path toward my career. First getting the certification will require me to contact the National Board for Certified Counselors. Once I have met their guidelines and receive the certification I will be able start researching careers that accept entry level certified counselors.

In taking the only test, I did not take it as seriously as I should have. I have worked in Ohio, Arizona, New York and now Japan in the field of counseling and social work. With those years, I have had the unfortunate opportunity of being a mandated reporter on several occasions.

I was stationed in Ft. Stewart, GA prior to moving to Korea, this is my second time in Korea and my wife is very happy that we are here because she is close to Family, and this is her home country.  I was a student at Argosy University, and we made the choice to come to Korea knowing it would be a set back in the momentum that I had started at Argosy Atlanta.  My schooling has been a gradual transition from classroom to all on line schooling.  I was previously attending a blended study, that had a once a month weekend seat requirement and working towards a MA in Clinic Mental Health Counseling.

I try not to post negative things as I learned long ago to do my best to stay positive many of you have no idea what I’ve been through in my life but things have turned out very well my main reason for posting this is that during my therapy today I seen a little girl come in she was about five or six years old and I’m not sure what therapy they had to do on her but I could hear her scream to the top of her lungs about every 30 seconds for almost a half an hour when my therapist came back he seen that I was crying and ask what the issue was when I told him it was difficult to hear what the little girl had to go through and then I was just praying for that girl and when the girl left they said see you next week and my heart just sunk knowing