Qualifications In 2013, I graduated from Mount Olive College with a Bachelor of Science is Clinical Psychology. As an undergraduate I did my internship with the state of North Carolina – Vocational Rehabilitation at WorkSource East in Goldsboro, NC. I am currently in a counseling training program at East Carolina University where I am working on obtaining my Master’s in Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling. Restricted Licenses Currently, I am a counselor in training at East Carolina University within the Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies. Upon graduation, I will be pursuing licensure as a Clinical Addiction Specialist and a Professional Counselor. I am working at the Navigate Counseling Clinic, under the supervision of Qunesha Hinton, who also serves as my ECU doctoral student supervisor. My faculty supervisor is Shari Sias, Associate Professor, Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling Program Director at East Carolina University (office number: 252-744-6304; email: siass@ecu.edu) and facility supervisor is Dr. Leigh Atherton at Navigate Counseling Clinic (office number: 252-744-6300; email: athertonw@ecu.edu) . Counseling Background As a counselor in training, I believe that counseling is a collaborative process between you and I. Counseling is a personal and safe process that deeply respects and honors each individual’s unique life experiences. Here are some aspects of counseling and therapy as I perceive and practive it: Therapeutic counseling
The personal views I have acquired throughout the year have ultimately affected the views I have on counseling in a few different ways. Growing up, I was raised in a family that views counseling as very acceptable. As a child, I always viewed counseling as a positive action because you are trying to correct a problem you are having and have acknowledged it. When I reached the beginning of highschool, I needed counseling for myself and the depression I was dealing with. As my counseling sessions proceeded, I really found them helpful. At a time where I felt like my own mother couldn’t even understand my own thoughts and feelings, my therapist could . It gave me a hope that at least I had one person I could tell everything I am feeling to and know it is kept in private. It was hard for me when my sessions eventually stopped, and it took me sometime to get over it. Through my own experiences and views, I feel like this pushed me to wanting to support and
I understand counselling to be a helping practice that differs from other helping activities, such as teaching for example. Counselling requires professional training and is specifically contracted or explicitly agreed. It has a theoretical base and uses specific methods within an ethical framework. The relationship between the counsellor and the client is built upon mutual expectation and is central to the process of the client under-going significant change in their lives.
As the standards of the counseling profession are continuously being shaped, I desire to play a role in the educating
I believe counseling is a collaborative partnership between client and counselor. Furthermore, this collaborative partnership is built from trust and acceptance of both client and counselor. I hope in conjunction with clients to understand the issues and concerns so to help them tap into their wisdom, creativity, and strengths to meet their current challenges. I believe in a comprehensive perspective through which clients can better comprehend themselves in the framework that our thinking about events can lead to emotional and behavioral upset. Moreover, counselors are to provide a safe environment for clients to explore their challenges and identify ways to move differently in overcoming these challenges.
My commitment to my goal of receiving a Master’s degree in counseling has been demonstrated throughout my studies at Rollins by maintaining a GPA of 4.0, my willingness to support my cohort, and by exhibiting an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Although I had retired on a fixed income from a business career due to a disability, I have confirmed my potential, stamina, and desire to counsel through my volunteer work as a guardian advocate, working with people who suffer from addiction, and by remaining an advocate for the LGBTQ community. I have thrived with my undergraduate internship at the Center for Drug Free Living and with my prepracticum at Centaur.
The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) is an organization of professionals who focus on addiction counseling. The NAADAC prides itself on four main roles: professional development, public engagement, professional services and to communicate its mission. The organization will aide in professional development by providing the most current education and training to ensure counselors are adopting the newest evidence based practices in their work (Tuohy, C., n.d. para. 2). NAADAC also provides mentorship and a career path, which are always essential for continued growth. While the NAADAC is directed towards addiction professionals; The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) supports school counselors. The ASCA also provides assistance in professional development as well as mentorship for its members. By providing annual conferences, webinars, specialist training to one-day workshops, the ASCA is committed to the professional development of its members (n.d. para 2). Both of these organizations provide publications that administer the latest knowledge regarding the organization and profession. Although a membership fee is required for both of these associations, the benefits make it well worth it.
During my time in the Graduate Counseling program, I want to specialize in the areas of addiction and chemical dependency, adolescent therapy, and sexuality. My ambition is to eventually work with adolescents and adults in an inpatient/outpatient setting, and/or in a rehab center. I firmly believe that to be able to work in the field that I want
Counselor met with Pt. for his monthly session. He and writer continued to discuss his relapse prevention plans and when he is moving to Clearwater, FL. Pt. talked about breaking the cycle of addiction and relapsing. Counselor asked Pt. to describe his plans for breaking free from the obsession and triangle of addiction. Pt. mentioned that he can identify depression and physical health as being one of his roadblocks to having a successful recovery. P.t was encouraged to verbalize how he can break away by using the “3-W’s” (What, Why, and Way). Pt verbally shared his plans and was required to submit a written assignment on the same. Reviewing this information was important because it taught Pt. one of the most important skills that he will need for his recovery: stopping triggers from leading to relapse. Pt. reported that he has visualized the building of a mental wall to help him prevent relapse by giving him a foundation of physical well-being, emotional well-being, relationship stability, spiritual growth, and knowledge of his weakness. Pt. informed this writer that he is driving to Florida on Saturday, March 11, 2017 with his nephew help. He reported that he got a place to stay there but he is unsure of where to go after that. Pt. declined help in searching for housing and stated that he is counting on his brother and he is calling him today.
Counseling is a relatively young profession when compared to other mental health professions. In my brief personal and professional experience with the field, I have come to define counseling as a process of engagement between two people, both of whom are bound to change through a collaborative process that involves both the therapist and the client in co-constructing solutions to concerns.
I declare that this assessment is my own work, based on my own personal research/study. I also declare that this assessment, nor parts of it, has not been previously submitted for any other unit/module or course, and that I have not copied in part or whole or otherwise plagiarised the work of another student and/or persons. I have read the ACAP
There are many definitions of counseling, but most share the same idea: it is when one person helps another. To me counseling represents one word more than any other: Change. One person is unhappy with some area of their life and wants it to change while the other person helps to facilitate that change. Just as there are many definitions of counseling there are many types of counseling with different philosophies.
The readings impacted my identity as a counselor by understanding the principles, goals, and strategies of treatment in addiction. Therefore, the materials provide me instructions and strategies for effective interventions in counseling. These materials are beneficial in setting the treatment plan for addiction as an evolving master’s level counselor.
Professionals who have been resting on their laurels with no results for decades are nervous. There is a paradigm shift in the addiction recovery industry that has some professionals fearing for their careers. Over the past several decades those suffering from addiction and their families have been progressively facing major consequences including prison, mental institutions, and death. The professional recovery industry has had very little impact on the problem reaching any type of lasting solution to date.
I am currently a graduate student of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, who is also attending a Clinical Supervision and Consultation course. I will soon be starting my internship to receive my hours before the May 2019 graduation. In addition to that, I attended the University of Michigan-Flint and received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a minor in psychology.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work ~ 2015 Associates Degree in Social Work ~ 2013