Personal Narrative: My Goal Of Becoming A Mental Health Counselor

Applying to college can be a daunting experience, particularly for one whose academic career was interrupted during high school. However, it was this interruption, and what followed, that has allowed me to set goals for myself, both academically and professionally. Having been in psychiatric hospitals and dealing with mental health conditions, I have witnessed firsthand how those with mental illnesses and emotional difficulties are among the most underserved in our society. My goal in life is to make a difference to someone that is struggling, much like I have. I plan to reach this goal by earning a degree in psychology, and pursuing a professional career as a mental health counselor.

Counseling others is a difficult job that requires people to listen, take notes, and respond in ways that are positive and helpful. It is important that trust be built between the counselor and the patient so that the patient will feel comfortable speaking about issues that are private or embarrassing. There are many different types of counselors including drug counselors; marriage counselors, grief counselors, job counselors, diet and exercise counselors, and others that can help people improve their lives in different ways. Counselors are trained to offer advice and listen to issues that may be bothering other people. They are not allowed to prescribe medication or expected to provide

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.

The history of mental health in the United States show a robust movement towards the mental healthcare system we have today. Prior to the 19th century, individuals with mental health issues were widely considered to be demonically possessed, thus contributing to the stigmatization of mental illness and the proliferation of poor treatment conditions. However, in the 1800s, there was a dramatic change in mental healthcare in the U.S. The government took a proactive role in treating the mentally ill, leading to the dawn of state psychiatric facilities.

It was getting worse. Depression had become one of the biggest and most negative parts of my life. I wondered why I was not improving until I realized something. I did not want to get better. I had lived with depression for so long that I did not know what life was like without it. It was not until my father told me about the feeling of freedom that comes from a life without depression that I was encouraged to manage my mental illness by developing positive coping skills, overcoming stigma, and learning that I am not defined by my illness.

I am passionate on helping people and making changes in others’ lives. Like I stated before, my mother had been trapped herself in the apologetic emotion for years. The mental burden had made her down. Therefore, I decided to help my mother get rid of the self-accusation, by using the knowledge I learned in the Human Services major. To illustrate, I was telling her that it was not her fault of divorce, and she was not showing me the negative image of a marriage. Instead, I admire her braveness of ending a marriage when it was necessary, especially in the time when people were stereotyping divorced women and at the place where people were being judgmental. Now, her self-blameless has been reduced, and she told me that she was not felt as guilty

“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.”

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 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.

I am interested in completing my practicum at Trinity Counseling Center, located in Anaheim, California. I am interested in completing my practicum at Trinity Counseling Center because I have personally received counseling and therapy at Trinity Counseling Center. I began to receive counseling services at Trinity in July of 2014 when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. Before I went to Trinity Counseling Center and began counseling sessions at Trinity, I received counseling services at another Christian counseling center. However, the counselor at this first Christian counseling center abandoned me. He gave me a list of local Christian counseling centers and then he abandoned me. After a few months of feeling very confused and hurt due to abandonment by my first counselor, I was able to begin receiving counseling services at Trinity Counseling

what to say though. Just say what you feel just as we are doing right now we both can see the therapist. Now I think I can sleep mom goodnight. Goodnight son.

Throughout my life I have experienced many trials and tribulations, this has all influenced me and made me who I am it has made me a better person. I am interested in obtaining a degree in psychology that way I am able to become a substance abuse councilor. In high school I had a passion for baseball, scouts had watched me play and were interested in having me play for them on a college level. After graduating high school I had the chance to attend college through baseball but during that time in my life I had stirred from the path I should have been on. I was too caught up in being young a reckless teenager, I was caught up in partying. I was in a situation a point of throwing caution to the wind, a point as to where I did not think about what was

I have always wanted to be the person others look to when they feel scared or vulnerable. In return for that trust, I have put enormous effort into helping people who seek me out identify their best options for the future. Not until I encountered life in all its confusing, brutal truth, however, did I realize I wanted to occupy that advisor’s role as a professional. My aim in applying to Northwestern is to become a licensed professional counselor in my home state of Wisconsin so that I can help young people tackle everyday problems, learn life skills, and ultimately, be the best people they can be. Ultimately, my goal is to complete a doctorate in counseling psychology, from University of Wisconsin-Madison in particular, after completion of my master’s degree while gaining vital work experience in my field and to use my expertise to train other aspiring professionals in my field.

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?