Oscar, I have to say that I chuckled when I read, "I've done everything in the mental health field except prescribe medication; you name it: case manager, psychotherapist, administrator, clinical supervisor. " You are quite an interesting person Oscar. winking I have to say your previous employment was quite a surprise to me. I'm a little taken back. I'm usually a perceptive person, but you really got me this time.…
Since I was first accepted into the graduate clinical mental health counseling program, I highly anticipated my first experience of actual counseling. I never expected the difficulties I would face upon my first encounter counseling a client. With my client unaware of the reason for being referred to me, asking “what brings you in here today?” turned out to be the wrong question to ask. The more appropriate way initiating a counseling relationship begins with introductions and obtaining background information from the client increasing the trust level between client and the counselor. During the session, I detected my “machine gun questions” meaning I never provided my client adequate time to respond before I asked another question; as a result,…
I was sitting In a dark room, like a cell. I could hear faint voices arguing outside. It had been seven days since I had heard from the task force, I am the head of a task force. I was the best detective in the world. But I should not brag, I should listen, find a way out.…
Counselor travelled to the Home to meet with the Client for a scheduled counseling session and Treatment Team Meeting. Upon arrival the Client expressed that he was no longer interested in counseling services with the Oaks and that, “Everything is already. Mr. Odoh comes by to see me and I am at home. I plan to be at the next community service event, I am good.…
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” said Nelson Mandela. When President Obama launched the Young African Leaders Initiative in 2010 to support the emerging generation of African leaders, this was to educate us to change Africa. I believe this Professional Development Experience is intended to give Fellows practical training and the opportunity to learn transferable skills, and apply theories learned in civic leadership classes in the real-world setting. As a leader, I seek to participate actively and productively in the field of global health leadership and health policy and to fill a strategic position in a multinational institution working on promoting health, particularly in Africa.…
This case presented a multitude of opportunities to think critically. The fact that triggers needed to be identified in a time sensitive manner presented the opportunity to explore options I was not accustomed to utilizing. I was given the suggestion by my supervisor to try either a narrative therapy approach or a cognitive behavioral, and in researching both I came to the conclusion that with this specific client narrative therapy would be more appropriate. Looking back, I believe I came to the most correct conclusion in regards to what modality to utilize. A personal challenge I experienced with this was never using narrative therapy in practice.…
As a child growing up in Rhode Island, the smallest state in the Union, the idea of a vast planet brimming with civilization and culture was more like something out of a fairy tale than it was reality. So, when my father announced that we would be leaving the country to go to Scotland, the home of his and my ancestors, my world began to expand at a rapid pace. This trip could not have been timed more perfectly. The summer of 2007 marked the end of fourth grade, my first year at Saint Mary Academy Bay View.…
The summer before my senior year I began my first job. I was a counselor at a summer camp, called Camp Commotion. It took place at my church and was a 10 week program for kids in kindergarten to sixth grade. Being 17, I was the youngest employee of the 27 staff members, everyone else was in college or older. The camp was made up of a theater, gym, and 6 rooms for the different activities, like cooking, sports, crafts, etc.…
A few years ago, I have decided to go to my health professional and have my numbers checked. Although my numbers still fall in the "normal" range, they're still low for someone my age. If my memory serves me right, it was around 260 or so. I knew that something has to be done, my low testosterone level doesn't only affect my sexual life, but my life in general. I always feel tired, anxious, and unsatisfied of my body.…
Changing the Playing Field It’s go time. We take the field and get ready to throw down. Everyone is ready to give their best to the challenging task at hand.…
Lately the days feel like they are combining together. I cannot keep up with them. Next week is the week of finals, and I am so ready for them. I know I can do it. In all of my classes I am passing.…
My interests in counseling is fuel by hurts and pain of people I observed throughout my lifespan. From the time I could speak, I saw family members, being taunted, by traumatic event that occurred throughout their lifespan. As I watched the hurt and pain of others consume them, I watch them suppressed the pain, in a harmful matter. For the future suppressing the pain, like substance abuse became an unconscious systematic coping method for stressors. Furthermore, as years progressed the hurt and pain presented itself through violence, verbal, and physical abuse.…
According to Corey & Corey (2012) mental health counselors plays a vital part in society as there has always been a need to make an impact or be the one to make a difference in someone else’s life. This is a very challenging career and it does not always end with positive results, but it is an opportunity to help these mental health patients. It can be challenging in that some of these individuals have to want your help and some are simply not interested in changes. This is why some are literally forced into treatment by families, friends or court orders. There are times when the human service professional finds this reluctance to be frustrating.…
Live the life that you want to live, but don’t complain about it if I didn’t turn out like you want it to. This been my personal philosophy since I’ve been in college. I had made many mistakes in my life, and I live by those decisions, because I was the one who made them. Many people make choices that will affect their current situation, rather than making decisions that will affect their future. It’s best to plan ahead, so that you’ll be able to have the life that you always wanted.…
Do you know what you will be doing five years down the road? For me, it is hard to imagine myself as a therapist though I do share an interest in helping people. The reality is, you can plan for many things but you never can fully predict where life will take you. As a therapist I can identify some potential strengths and weaknesses that I bring to the field.…