You remember last semester, when the living was easy and we barely had any work and we used to go out partying ever weekend? Well, I can barely remember it, because the heat in the kitchen that is the Counseling and Mental Health Services program just got turned up.
It might be that this semester we're having to complete weekly assignments, that we have comprehensive exams coming up next week, or that I finally have a practicum site where I have to go 12 hours per week. Whatever it is, this semester is no joke.
I feel a little conflicted about this: on the one hand, it's been really difficult to catch my breath. I've been doing readings the night before and getting papers written the morning of the due date, whereas last semester I was at the top of my game. On the other hand, I love having a practicum site and having a lot to do keeps me on my toes. I miss having nothing to do but read, but I know real head student life isn't really like that. So I'm glad to be getting used to working hard all week.
Next week is our comprehensive exam, the test through which we will demonstrate our counseling knowledge proficiency. Having so much to do this semester has made it so hard to study! I hope anyone reading this can take this as a lesson: start atudying for comps ASAP! Time starts really running out once the spring semester starts. But don't worry; I'll start studying today. Wish me luck!
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
Ohhh Right I Studied Anthropology!
So this semester, we're all taking a class on human development, where we're learning about how people grow and change over the course of their lifespan. To be completely honest, it hasn't been my favorite class. The readings have been interesting; I've learned a lot; and the professor is really nice. However, I haven't been feeling as engaged with the material in class as I have been in other courses.
This week, however, I realized my real passion when it comes to human development. Our readings for the week were all about the influence of culture on development, and when we discussed them in class, I was so engaged with the material that I was excited. I started thinking about cultural differences and the effect they might have on our assessment of mental illnesses and intellectual disorders. What of the child whose culture teaches not to give direct eye contact or physical contact who is told they are austistic because of their perceived lack of prosocial behavior?
The whole class discussion put me in this place of wonder and showed me where my real passion lies: with culture. I guess I shouldn't be surprised; after all I did major in anthropology as an undergrad. But in all this time I never actually realized how attracted I have been to the study of culture.
I think this is probably a good lesson. Always be open to new experiences and information because you never know when you might stumble upon your real interest like I did mine. The class got me thinking about doing research and going on to get a PhD with a focus on cultural psychology and its implications for the counseling field. I do want my main occupation to be counseling, but I see now that there's a place in my heart for anthropology, and I shouldn't keep on neglecting it.
This is also a good time for me to explore an opportunity that I haven't thought much about since I've been at GSE: the chance to help with faculty research. Not only is this offered as an option for financial aid through a graduate assistantship, but it is also something in which an individual student can take the initiative to get involved. I believe anyone with a real passion for a specific topic should try to get involved with research. It's a great experience that allows you to study what you love, AND of course it looks good on a resume or PhD application.
I'll be sure to let you know if I end up pursuing research. Stay tuned!
This week, however, I realized my real passion when it comes to human development. Our readings for the week were all about the influence of culture on development, and when we discussed them in class, I was so engaged with the material that I was excited. I started thinking about cultural differences and the effect they might have on our assessment of mental illnesses and intellectual disorders. What of the child whose culture teaches not to give direct eye contact or physical contact who is told they are austistic because of their perceived lack of prosocial behavior?
The whole class discussion put me in this place of wonder and showed me where my real passion lies: with culture. I guess I shouldn't be surprised; after all I did major in anthropology as an undergrad. But in all this time I never actually realized how attracted I have been to the study of culture.
I think this is probably a good lesson. Always be open to new experiences and information because you never know when you might stumble upon your real interest like I did mine. The class got me thinking about doing research and going on to get a PhD with a focus on cultural psychology and its implications for the counseling field. I do want my main occupation to be counseling, but I see now that there's a place in my heart for anthropology, and I shouldn't keep on neglecting it.
This is also a good time for me to explore an opportunity that I haven't thought much about since I've been at GSE: the chance to help with faculty research. Not only is this offered as an option for financial aid through a graduate assistantship, but it is also something in which an individual student can take the initiative to get involved. I believe anyone with a real passion for a specific topic should try to get involved with research. It's a great experience that allows you to study what you love, AND of course it looks good on a resume or PhD application.
I'll be sure to let you know if I end up pursuing research. Stay tuned!
Thursday, January 29, 2015
I Got a Practicum Way Over Town That's Good to Me
It's the moment we've all been waiting for. I finally have a practicum site! On January 14th, I had my first day of work at Gaudenzia with the Women's Co-Occurring Program.
It was funny because although my supervisor had told me it might be a difficult site not made for the weak, I found that the clients were all welcoming, accepting, and willing to learn. Of course, there have been difficulties with the clients. Sometimes they aren't quite so willing to learn; sometimes they don't want to participate in group activities; sometimes they throw tantrums (either about the program and their having to be there or about their interactions with other clients). And I know there will be more difficulties like these, but I'm just so excited to continue working there and to see what kinds of improvements I can make at the site.
Just yesterday I conducted my very first biopsychosocial assessment with a client who I will be continuing to work with throughout the duration of her stay in the program. Through this experience, I learned about what it might be like to work with a client in the pre-contemplation phase of changing his or her drug and alcohol addiction, in other words, a client who does not yet see the negative consequences of addiction and therefore is not self-motivated to change.
I expect that this experience will be both challenging and rewarding, and I am looking forward to working with the client and moving forward!
Along with that, I've finished with my application for the second year of the counseling program. We're all thinking about whether we need the second year for our overall goals and how we should further our counseling training. I think one of the best pieces of advice I can give in this situation is to always CONSULT. I got a little worried when I spoke with friends in the program because I was so concerned about paying for a year of education that I might then find out I didn't need. So I consulted with my sorority sisters who are in the counseling field, and they let me know that you need AT LEAST an LPC to become a mental health counselor on a college campus.
I would encourage new students in the counseling program to consult with anyone they can: sorority and fraternity sisters and brothers, family members, friends, professors, to make sure that they are doing what is necessary to fulfill their overall career goal. Well, that's all for now. Wish me luck getting into the second year!
It was funny because although my supervisor had told me it might be a difficult site not made for the weak, I found that the clients were all welcoming, accepting, and willing to learn. Of course, there have been difficulties with the clients. Sometimes they aren't quite so willing to learn; sometimes they don't want to participate in group activities; sometimes they throw tantrums (either about the program and their having to be there or about their interactions with other clients). And I know there will be more difficulties like these, but I'm just so excited to continue working there and to see what kinds of improvements I can make at the site.
Just yesterday I conducted my very first biopsychosocial assessment with a client who I will be continuing to work with throughout the duration of her stay in the program. Through this experience, I learned about what it might be like to work with a client in the pre-contemplation phase of changing his or her drug and alcohol addiction, in other words, a client who does not yet see the negative consequences of addiction and therefore is not self-motivated to change.
I expect that this experience will be both challenging and rewarding, and I am looking forward to working with the client and moving forward!
Along with that, I've finished with my application for the second year of the counseling program. We're all thinking about whether we need the second year for our overall goals and how we should further our counseling training. I think one of the best pieces of advice I can give in this situation is to always CONSULT. I got a little worried when I spoke with friends in the program because I was so concerned about paying for a year of education that I might then find out I didn't need. So I consulted with my sorority sisters who are in the counseling field, and they let me know that you need AT LEAST an LPC to become a mental health counselor on a college campus.
I would encourage new students in the counseling program to consult with anyone they can: sorority and fraternity sisters and brothers, family members, friends, professors, to make sure that they are doing what is necessary to fulfill their overall career goal. Well, that's all for now. Wish me luck getting into the second year!
Friday, December 19, 2014
READY TO GO
I am so so so ready to go home. It's not even that cold yet, but it'll be so good to get back to the warmth of the Caribbean. I snapped a picture of my bikini in my suitcase, and I must say it's amazing to be able to pack a bathing suit when you're on your way home for Christmas. I don't think there's quite a feeling like it. I threw about six pairs of shorts and two short skirts in there; I'm ready to go.
Sadly, it won't be a completely free vacation. The application for my program's second year is due early in January, so I'll be working on my new statement of purpose while I'm chilling at the beach. I kid, of course. I won't be bringing my laptop to the beach.
Since I love you all so much, I will continue to blog throughout the Christmas break, and of course will provide braggy photos of the Caribbean sun and the palm trees swaying in the breeze of the Caribbean Sea. See you in Trinidad!
Sadly, it won't be a completely free vacation. The application for my program's second year is due early in January, so I'll be working on my new statement of purpose while I'm chilling at the beach. I kid, of course. I won't be bringing my laptop to the beach.
Since I love you all so much, I will continue to blog throughout the Christmas break, and of course will provide braggy photos of the Caribbean sun and the palm trees swaying in the breeze of the Caribbean Sea. See you in Trinidad!
Monday, December 15, 2014
You're Adlerian? Prove It!
Today was our very final interventions class! It's kind of funny how all of our professors are so excited that the semester is finally over. Not that I'm not excited...I guess I'm excited. But I feel like I could go for a few more weeks. Maybe that's because I don't have a practicum yet, so I'm not as worn out by life as some of the other members of the cohort are.
OH but I do have a practicum! Last week I went out to an interview at Gaudenzia, a co-occurring drug and alcohol treatment center where three other members have already been placed. I'm a little nervous: the interviewer told me as I sat there that the site is not for the "sensitive", and as much as I would love to see myself as having a tough skin, I definitely do not. So I'll have to grow one if I want to be successful. I wonder if that's something I'll be able to work on during the winter break. Perhaps I'll join the army over the break? I guess we'll see...
But anyway the point I wanted to bring up in this post is what we talked about in our very last interventions class period. We discussed each of our theoretical orientations and how we are going to foster our knowledge of the orientation and our skills at using the techniques. I thought about how I consider myself Adlerian, with some sprinkles of person-centered and cognitive-behavioral theories mixed in, and I wondered about how I'm going to learn more about Adler, PCT, and CBT. From whom will I seek supervision? Where will I go to attend workshops and conferences?
These are definitely questions that I, and every beginning counselor, should answer. I look forward to learning everything I can about my favorite orientations, and I hope to do my part to improve my theory's professional organizations, so that Adlerians on the whole can improve how clients see our orientation. I worry that the lack of time spent on the websites for our orientation gives a poor presentation to potential clients, and I hope to be one of the instrumental people in changing that.
OH but I do have a practicum! Last week I went out to an interview at Gaudenzia, a co-occurring drug and alcohol treatment center where three other members have already been placed. I'm a little nervous: the interviewer told me as I sat there that the site is not for the "sensitive", and as much as I would love to see myself as having a tough skin, I definitely do not. So I'll have to grow one if I want to be successful. I wonder if that's something I'll be able to work on during the winter break. Perhaps I'll join the army over the break? I guess we'll see...
But anyway the point I wanted to bring up in this post is what we talked about in our very last interventions class period. We discussed each of our theoretical orientations and how we are going to foster our knowledge of the orientation and our skills at using the techniques. I thought about how I consider myself Adlerian, with some sprinkles of person-centered and cognitive-behavioral theories mixed in, and I wondered about how I'm going to learn more about Adler, PCT, and CBT. From whom will I seek supervision? Where will I go to attend workshops and conferences?
These are definitely questions that I, and every beginning counselor, should answer. I look forward to learning everything I can about my favorite orientations, and I hope to do my part to improve my theory's professional organizations, so that Adlerians on the whole can improve how clients see our orientation. I worry that the lack of time spent on the websites for our orientation gives a poor presentation to potential clients, and I hope to be one of the instrumental people in changing that.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Papers, Papers, Papers
In a few more days I will be finished with the first semester of graduate school! It's funny because I've been hearing so many people saying that they just finished their first semester of grad school and I haven't really been able to celebrate because I am still three papers away from that milestone. Having a transcript to write puts it all into perspective for me. And it's interesting to see how much different it is being here than it was to be in undergrad. Were people this excited to finish their first semester of their undergraduate first year? I'm not sure.
But anyway the point is that we're almost done! Just a few months ago I was scared about how difficult graduate school would be, but while it has been a challenging semester, it has also been an enjoyable one, much much more than the first semester of undergrad.
I think a good recap of the semester is that it was productive. I read (almost) every reading, and I worked hard to do deeper reflection and sometimes extra research for our papers. And while my enthusiasm could be, and has been, deemed overkill, I think I'm a better person for it. I learned so much more than I would have, not only about counseling skills, theories, and concepts, but about myself.
Looking back on the past few months, I'd say I'm proud that I stuck sticky notes in the pages of the textbook chapters that I read word for word. I'm happy that I used those extra articles for that theory paper. I'm glad that I put my all into the program, because even if it wasn't completely necessary, it has made this program all the more worthwhile.
This has, hands down, been one of the best semesters of my entire student career. I have made friends who I hope to keep for a lifetime, maybe even moving out to live closer to some of them. I have seen my faults but also my strengths, and I am using this knowledge to try to become the best I can be. I have learned how to be an empathetic, driven, and ethical counselor. And I have become an Adlerian. And I must say that this semester has been a SUCCESS!
I am so looking forward to getting back here in the spring, when I get to spend another few months with some of the best people out there, the Kounseling Krew.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Finals Time...
I know what you're thinking: EW. Finals time. But of course it's just another inevitable part of the student life. And it hasn't been as bad as finals used to be during my undergraduate career.
Finals started off with an exam for ethics. It's supposed to be a paper on the ethical issues at your practicum site but since I haven't started anywhere yet, I wasn't able to write that paper. Although this has been frustrating, it's been nice that the professors have been flexible about changing assignments, since they know there's nothing I could do about not having a practicum site.
Compared to the types of multiple choice exams I used to take back at UVA, this exam was awesome! Only 20 questions (which can be both good and bad, since each question is worth a lot) and only covering what we talked about in class. Mind you, I read every single chapter of the textbook as well as taking notes in class every week, and it paid off! So one piece of advice I'd definitely give to incoming students: READ. A lot of people shirk their readings because they think it's common sense or we learn it all in class, but it couldn't hurt to have a handle on the information before going over it in class.
Next, we've got a theory paper due for interventions, a group proposal for group, a case presentation and transcript for practicum, a process analysis for group, and a last paper on the importance of theory for interventions. PHEW! Well, that was a mouthful. But I've already got a handle on a lot of the assignments, so I'm not too concerned. But it definitely is getting STRESSFUL! So of course here I will put a plug for the importance of SELF-CARE! That's something our program emphasizes so much, because counseling can be a hazardous profession. Hearing other people's struggles can bring out your own struggles, or it can just trigger an empathetic reaction, and we have to take care of ourselves to remedy that.
Finally, one of the best things going on right now (something good to counteract all the papers) is that I have an INTERVIEW at Gaudenzia! Gaudenzia is a concurrent drug and alcohol treatment center, so they work with people who struggle both with addictions and with some mental illness. It will no doubt be difficult, but I'm excited to get the chance to start making a difference in people's lives, and to learn something new, regardless of how far out of my comfort zone I will be stepping.
Wish me luck!
Finals started off with an exam for ethics. It's supposed to be a paper on the ethical issues at your practicum site but since I haven't started anywhere yet, I wasn't able to write that paper. Although this has been frustrating, it's been nice that the professors have been flexible about changing assignments, since they know there's nothing I could do about not having a practicum site.
Compared to the types of multiple choice exams I used to take back at UVA, this exam was awesome! Only 20 questions (which can be both good and bad, since each question is worth a lot) and only covering what we talked about in class. Mind you, I read every single chapter of the textbook as well as taking notes in class every week, and it paid off! So one piece of advice I'd definitely give to incoming students: READ. A lot of people shirk their readings because they think it's common sense or we learn it all in class, but it couldn't hurt to have a handle on the information before going over it in class.
Next, we've got a theory paper due for interventions, a group proposal for group, a case presentation and transcript for practicum, a process analysis for group, and a last paper on the importance of theory for interventions. PHEW! Well, that was a mouthful. But I've already got a handle on a lot of the assignments, so I'm not too concerned. But it definitely is getting STRESSFUL! So of course here I will put a plug for the importance of SELF-CARE! That's something our program emphasizes so much, because counseling can be a hazardous profession. Hearing other people's struggles can bring out your own struggles, or it can just trigger an empathetic reaction, and we have to take care of ourselves to remedy that.
Finally, one of the best things going on right now (something good to counteract all the papers) is that I have an INTERVIEW at Gaudenzia! Gaudenzia is a concurrent drug and alcohol treatment center, so they work with people who struggle both with addictions and with some mental illness. It will no doubt be difficult, but I'm excited to get the chance to start making a difference in people's lives, and to learn something new, regardless of how far out of my comfort zone I will be stepping.
Wish me luck!
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