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When I think about self-care, I envision taking a few moments to nurture and appreciate myself truly. It's about being attuned to my needs and desires and ensuring I'm taking steps to honor them. Whether that means finding peace and solitude in nature or simply stepping away from a chaotic and busy schedule, I need to prioritize my well-being to feel truly fulfilled. By disconnecting from the stress and pressures of daily life, I can reconnect with my innermost self, find my center, and move forward with a more precise and focused mindset. I enjoy the quiet, and I stay present. I do not let my mind wander and genuinely absorb the sights and sounds of nature.

I am in therapy, too. I believe that a great therapist has to practice what they preach. I journal, therefore knowing the benefits of journaling. I prioritize my mental health before others.

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EDG 6301:  Social & Cultural Influences on Education

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EDG 6301:  Social & Cultural Influences on Education

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After reading the comprehensive self-study series article "Helping Others Help Themselves," I gained valuable insights and practical knowledge on the subject matter. The report was well-written and clearly explained the concepts, making it easy for beginners like me to understand. Overall, I highly recommend this article to anyone wanting to learn how to help others effectively while avoiding burnout. It shows you how to help yourself first before helping someone else. My therapist always said when the plane is going down, you must put your oxygen mask on before putting someone else's on. One must know how to help themselves before helping the client when dealing with stressors.

"Helping others can have beneficial consequences for the helper as well. Studies of peer helping, where equals assist one another, have shown that sometimes helpers benefit more than those they help (Smalls, 2023)." I never knew till this article that the helper could benefit more than they helped. I did not realize that improving more than the client could cause someone to feel guilt and shame.

My second source is The ACA Code of Ethics. It is a detailed and comprehensive set of guidelines that outlines the professional standards for counselors. It covers a wide range of topics, including confidentiality, informed consent, dual relationships, and cultural competence. By adhering to these ethical standards, counselors can ensure they provide high-quality and effective services to their clients. The code also helps counselors establish realistic client goals and provides a framework for monitoring progress and measuring success. Overall, the ACA Code of Ethics is invaluable for counselors seeking to maintain professionalism and ethical conduct. When looking for counseling goals, I check out this website.

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Introduction and Assessing Prior Knowledge

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Introduction and Assessing Prior Knowledge

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What I plan on offering my clients:

I will provide a forms section under Explanation of Services and Privacy Practices. I will ask the client to sign a document stating that they have reviewed the Explanation of Psychotherapy/Counseling Services, Notice of Privacy Practices packet, and other important information. The client is free to ask any questions and make an informed decision without pressure from me. By agreeing to engage in psychotherapeutic/counseling/clinical social work services, the client also consents to using their non-identifiable information for research purposes.

Clients must complete insurance forms and acknowledge the cancellation policy before proceeding with services. In the event of a cancellation without a 24-hour notice, a fee of 50 dollars will be charged to the client. It is important to note that this policy is in place to ensure fairness and proper scheduling of resources. I would kindly request that my clients honor this policy and notify me promptly if they need to cancel or reschedule their appointments. I will thank the client for understanding and their cooperation.

As part of the initial assessment, the patient will be required to complete various questionnaires, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) with Criterion A, and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. These questionnaires are commonly used to gather valuable information about the patient's health status, history, and mental health condition. Completing these questionnaires plays a vital role in developing an appropriate treatment plan that addresses the patient's specific needs. The scores on these assessments will matter when setting goals with the client and knowing if I need to break confidentiality. As a future LPC, I will also be documenting everything clearly; I will track my client's progress, identify areas for improvement and intervention plans, and make informed decisions about how to support the client best. The state of Texas says that communication between a licensee and client and the client's records, however, created or stored, are confidential under the provisions of the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 611 and other state or federal statutes or rules where such statutes or regulations apply to a licensee's practice (Texas Law 2023).

Here are all the mandatory reasons to report a client:

(a) Communication between a licensee and client and the client's records, however created or stored, are confidential under the provisions of the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 611 and other state or federal statutes or rules where such statutes or rules apply to a licensee's practice.

(b) A licensee must not disclose a client's communication, record, or identity except as provided in Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 611 or other state or federal statutes or rules.

(c) A licensee must comply with the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapters 181 and 611, concerning access to mental health records and confidential information.

(d) A licensee must report information as required by Council §§882.36 (relating to Compliance with State and Federal Law) and 884.32 (relating to Reportable Legal Action and Discipline) and the following statutes:

(1) Texas Family Code Chapter 261, Subchapter B, concerning reports of abuse or neglect of minors;

(2) Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 48, Subchapter B, concerning

reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly or disabled persons;

(3) Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 161, Subchapter L, concerning abuse, neglect, and unprofessional or unethical conduct in health care facilities;

(4) Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, §81.006, concerning the duty to report sexual exploitation by a mental health provider, and a licensee must comply with Texas Occupations Code §109.051 relating to the release of treatment information concerning the treatment of a sex offender.

In addition, I will be providing a Military Program Eligibility Form that contains the required information. This form will assist in determining eligibility for services offered to U.S. military service members and their families.

As part of my counseling services, I offer telehealth and tele counseling sessions for clients who cannot attend in-person sessions or prefer the convenience of virtual sessions. Telehealth and tele counseling sessions are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I must ensure my clients understand their rights regarding HIPAA, the Code of Ethics for Counselors, and how confidentiality works in a therapeutic relationship. By providing comprehensive information through the Explanation of Psychotherapy/Counseling Services and Notice of Privacy Practices packet, I aim to empower my clients to make informed decisions about their mental health care. Additionally, I will review the consent form with new clients and discuss the circumstances under which confidentiality may need to be breached. Through these efforts, I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can freely share their thoughts and feelings and receive the care and attention they need to heal and grow.

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My name is Julie Howard, and I am a passionate and dedicated individual pursuing a degree in Mental Health and Wellness. My focus is on LPC, and my ultimate goal is to establish my practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Through my studies and experiences, I have gained a deep understanding of the complexities of mental health and the importance of providing proper support to those who need it the most.

My natural empathy, combined with my academic training, positions me to deliver the highest quality of care to my clients and help them overcome their challenges. My ambition is to become a trusted and effective counselor who can positively impact the lives of those I work with, specializing in CBT, DBT, LGBTQIA, addiction, and PTSD.

Individual Counseling (EDG-6320-DS4) is a crucial step toward achieving my future goals. It provided me with practical tools and techniques to offer personalized and compassionate care to my clients. I am excited to learn from experienced professionals and apply my knowledge to my future practice.

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Since my earliest memories, I have aspired to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. This is because I have an abiding passion for lessening the harmful effects of trauma on individuals. I am resolute in my belief that everyone deserves to lead a life replete with happiness and fulfillment, and I am committed to making a meaningful contribution in this regard as an LPC. My ardor for counseling is grounded in practical, professional, and personal experience. I have had the opportunity to observe the transformative power of counseling in the lives of individuals and myself. I have witnessed firsthand the assuaging and healing effects it can bring. I am inspired by the courage and resilience of those seeking professional assistance from a medical and therapeutic team. This personal encounter has only reinforced my desire to pursue a career in counseling.

Now here we are after years of therapy and no a masters in mental health and wellness.

I left the criminal justice field and went back to school for my alternative teaching certification. I have taught for six years now and am ready for the next step in my career as a counselor.

I am enthusiastic about becoming an LPC and am prepared to invest the requisite time in the LPC Bridge program. This masters helped me realize that I have enough ambition to complete the next program. Even when the days get long with work, family, and volunteering I make time for this master's. I know this will require considerable diligence, money, and dedication, but I am unfazed by the challenge. I firmly believe that with the proper training and experience, I can impact the lives of those grappling with trauma and other mental health issues.

My biggest challenge will be to not get too invested in my client's decisions. I will have to understand that not all clients will leave their abusers right away. Some people never leave their abusers for many reasons. It took me time to save enough money that I had to hide to escape and ask my family for help. One of the hardest concepts for independent people living in shame is being able to ask for help. The abuse cycle is very hard to break and I have tons of empathy for these clients and I will not get frustrated at them. Abuse can happen to anyone. That was a concept that took me by surprise and time to comprehend.

Due to my personal life experiences, I want to learn how to do EMDR. EMDR ended up being one of the most helpful tools for dealing with my past trauma. Every great therapist has a great therapist. I do not think that I would be comfortable working with adults who abuse, but I do want to work with the survivors of abuse. I learned through individual therapy that you can become a survivor, not a victim which is empowering.

I have closed that chapter of my life completing my masters. I have learned a lot from it. I now know I want to work with victims and not the offenders. . This is a degree that I want to continue working on.

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A strategic communication plan is an essential instrument for organizations that seek to align their employees with their objectives. This well-crafted written document outlines the specific ways in which the company's goals, key messages, and objectives will be communicated to the team. It provides a detailed roadmap for effectively engaging and informing employees about important company initiatives, promoting a sense of alignment, and shared purpose throughout the organization. The strategic communication plan typically includes details on various communication channels and tactics that will be utilized, such as company-wide emails, team meetings, or social media updates. It may also outline specific roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders involved in the communication process, as well as any potential roadblocks or challenges that need to be addressed. The goal of a strategic communication plan is to ensure that employees are aware of the company's priorities and understand how their individual roles contribute to those priorities. By fostering a culture of clear and open communication, organizations can drive employee engagement, boost productivity, and achieve long-term success. In conclusion, creating a strategic communication plan is vital for any organization that seeks to align its employees with its objectives. It is a well-designed document that provides a clear roadmap for effective communication, employee engagement, and long-term success.

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The vision and mission statement of West Texas Counseling and Guidance are of significant importance for the organization. The vision statement outlines the long-term aspirations and goals of the organization, while the mission statement lays out how the organization intends to achieve those goals.

West Texas Counseling and Guidance's vision statement is to be the leading provider of mental health services in the region, delivering high-quality, accessible, and affordable care to those in need. The organization aims to improve the overall mental health and well-being of the people it serves by providing evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and personalized care.

The mission of West Texas Counseling and Guidance is to promote healthy living by providing comprehensive mental health services to individuals and families. The organization is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where everyone is treated with respect, dignity, and compassion. West Texas Counseling and Guidance strives to empower individuals to overcome mental health challenges and achieve their full potential by offering a range of services, including therapy, counseling, education, and outreach programs.