I am writing to formally apply for a clinical emphasis position as an advanced practicum student at DePaul University Counseling Services for the 2016-2017 academic year. Currently, I am completing my third year of training in the APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral program at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
I have a strong interest in completing my advanced training at DePaul University’s Counseling Services as it offers intensive training that is unparalleled in the Chicagoland area. In particular, the student-focused, team-oriented environment is one in which I know I would thrive. I am particularly excited about the multiple clinical opportunities offered at your site such as individual, couples, and group psychotherapy. I am additionally interested in the prospect of collaborating with other departments in the university such as Student Services through outreach and consultation. As a clinician in training, I am also impressed by your comprehensive and collaborative approach to supervision. Finally, I am authentically excited about your emphasis on professional development. I believe being an effective psychologist entails more than just the acquisition of skills and knowledge – it requires an ongoing integration of foundational knowledge, self-reflection and an integration of personal and professional identities.
Prior to beginning my current program and clinical training, I worked in the mental health field for six years. My roles
I am applying to your master’s program in clinical mental health counseling for the fall of 2016. After earning my master degree in Human Counseling Health and Wellness from Liberty University, I worked two years at a social service agency. I have wanted to be a counselor since I enter into social service field. As a case manager, I help individual that was diagnosed with depression, bipolar, and high anxiety. For example, I had a client on my case load that I help her face her fears with crowds. My client was very afraid to go to college due to the high population. I used several strategies to help her cope with anxiety. I took my client to a community college in which the class size was smaller. After taking her to a community college,
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
I am writing to apply for a position as a College Counselor within Carolina College Advising Corp. I became informed of this position through Sheena Jacobs, Assistant Director of University Career Services.
A doctoral degree combining both supervisory professional mental health counseling skills and counselor education has always been at the forefront of both my personal and professional goals. Being afforded the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision will allow me the ability to enhance my professional competencies and achieve my set goals. My primary desire is to obtain a position as a college professor that will allow me to nurture the professional growth and maturity of future mental health professionals. Pursuing the doctoral degree will simultaneously assist in developing skillsets that will further prepare me for advanced opportunities in not only teaching but supervision and research. Additionally, I desire to devote time and research to small rural communities to establish prevention based programs that will bridge communities as it relates to mental health challenges. A PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Capella University will afford me the opportunities to positively impact change in future professionals and the communities for which I serve.
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.
The flexibility of the curriculum at Luther College allowed me to organize my program of study to develop the critical skills and experience needed to succeed in a graduate program in clinical psychology. Luther is located in Decorah, Iowa, a small rural town and northeast Iowa is an underserved population in regards to mental health care, I had limited access to clinical psychologists. I, therefore, had to do my best to make the most of the experiences available to me within my
In 1981, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs was established (CACREP, 2016b). Before its official establishment it went through challenges. These challenges were for CACREP to be an accrediting agency for masters- and doctoral-level programs and establishing a Commission on Standards Implementation (Sweeney, 1992). CACREP has six standards for which current and future accreditation programs must follow (CACREP, 2016c). The purpose of these standards are to have are able to define counseling and distinguish themselves from other behavioral health fields. Students and programs receive benefits from CACREP accreditation. Students who attend a CACREP-accredited program received the benefit of being taught by faculty members with a counseling degree from a CACREP-accredited program, core courses for the counseling profession, and later become faculty member in a CACREP-accredited program (CACREP, 2016d, 2016e). Also, programs receive the benefit of institutional support, faculty members with one set responsibility, and continuous evaluation (CACREP, 2016d, 2016g). Since CACREP creation, it has overcome many challenges. Now with a changing society, CACREP must move towards licensure portability and unified counseling profession.
My goal is to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My dream is to provide counsel and guidance to individuals, families, couples or groups of people; who are dealing with issues that affect them physically, emotionally and mentally. I would like help clients determine why they are experiencing their life challenges, develop goals and actions to resolve their issues. I would like to provide life changing advice to support & help clients overcome outstanding life situations, collaborate assessment and maintain treatment. Family and friends has consulted with me about their problems. I enjoy giving them advice that allows them to think about the decisions resolving the circumstance. With this I’m inspired to work in the
However, like many of my peers in the undergraduate community, I had a declared major but a persisting uncertainty and indecision about my future and career. Nevertheless, I continued to see myself in a personal setting with clients, where I could share psychological insight to those willing to open up and partake in personal growth. Through years of information, coursework, wise words from professors, and much personal insight, I decided to pursue a career in counseling
As Mr. Cedant’s mentor and past colleague, I offer the highest recommendation for his acceptance into the Master of Arts Counselor Education (Mental Health Counseling Track), at the University of Central Florida. As a first generation college student, Mr. Cedant exemplifies determination and commitment. His ability to remain committed to his goals and responsibilities is admirable and a great indication that he will surpass the requirements, preparations, and expectations of this program. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact
I have recently graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies. I have also recently been accepted to University of Houston – Clear Lake’s Clinical Psychology Master’s program. My main areas of interest are mental health issues and substance abuse issues. Therefore, my educational and career goal is to be able to help people with these types of issues.
When I began my undergraduate career, I had the opportunity to be exposed to the full range of psychology courses, all of which tended to reinforce and solidify my intense interest in psychology. However, I was fortunate enough to conduct my own research abroad and assist a graduate student in her dissertation. As my undergraduate work progressed, I found I also had an interest in helping individual who have been involved in relationship violence. I became motivated to become an advocate against relationship violence on campus, which sparked my interest in further to my education to become a therapist.
I have a Masters of Arts in counseling from Maryville University and bachelors of arts from Governors State University. Due to working with youth outreach programs, in mentoring capacities, within hospital and treatment setting, within residential settings, and within higher education I am trained to work with individual and couples of varying abilities. I also have extensive knowledge and sensitivity in working with people with trauma survivors, anxiety and depression, adolescents and families, sexual and gender minorities (BDSM and LGBTQ), and monogamous and polyamorous couples. I have experience working with clients in art therapy, DBT therapy, and in groups.
Practicum is the most important part of the graduate counseling program. It’s not only the guidelines to be an effective and efficient counselor, but also a foundation where the beginning master’s level counselors build skills and techniques to work with supervisors and clients in the initial year of their career. This journal helps the writer understand the process of growth and things that need focus to become a good supervisee and eventually a good counselor.
When I first started my college journey I initially majored in Biology. Not knowing what I wanted to do, I was influenced by my advisor to enter the biology field. After my third year, I decided not to pursue biology anymore, and that’s when I discovered my passion for the Psychology field. After receiving my undergrad in psychology, I knew that I wanted to get my masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, but I had no idea of how broad this area is. This week assignment granted me the opportunity to interview someone who has been in this profession for 25 plus years who has worked in all sectors when it comes to mental health counseling. It allowed me to learn the pros and cons of this field and it even gave me more insight and clarity on exactly what I wanted to do. I found this week assignment to be very informative and I believe it is necessary for anyone that’s interesting in entering in this field. I am grateful for the knowledge and advice that I received during this week assignment.