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Hello my name is, Kaitlyn Hilton

Program of Study: Mental Health and Wellness Counseling

Personal Goal: To develop a better understanding of trauma and how it affects individuals at different stages of life.

Professional Goal: To become a licensed mental health counselor and specialize in trauma-informed care for disadvantaged youth.

I hope to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to support individuals experiencing crisis and trauma through evidence-based interventions.

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American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

The ACA Code of Ethics sets the standards for professional counselors to provide competent, respectful, and trauma-informed care. It includes guidelines on confidentiality, informed consent, and counselor responsibilities when working with individuals in crisis. Understanding these ethical rules is important for building trust, maintaining professionalism, and ensuring effective counseling. As a future counselor, following these guidelines will help me handle ethical challenges and provide compassionate, client-centered, and culturally sensitive support to trauma survivors.

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Reflection on Prior Knowledge: Before starting this course, I understood that trauma could have long-term psychological effects, but I had limited knowledge about specific trauma-informed interventions.

What have I learned so far? have learned about the different types of trauma, including acute, chronic, and complex trauma, as well as how early intervention can improve client outcomes.

Artifact: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach: Literature review. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma14-4816_litreview.pdf

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 Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

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 Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

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Reflection on Mental Health Disorders & Crisis Counseling: Understanding common mental health disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression is essential when working with trauma survivors. This section highlights key symptoms and evidence-based treatments.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Key assumptions in a trauma-informed approach. In Trauma-informed care in behavioral health services (Treatment Improvement Protocol Series, No. 57.). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Trauma-informed care in behavioral health services (Treatment Improvement Protocol Series, No. 57.). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207192/

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Trauma can affect individuals differently depending on their developmental stage. Childhood trauma can impact brain development while trauma in adulthood can lead to chronic stress and emotional dysregulation.

Case Example: A child exposed to domestic violence may develop attachment issues, while an adult experiencing job loss-related trauma may struggle with depression and financial instability.

Beacon House. (2020). Developmental trauma close-up (Revised January 2020). Retrieved from https://beaconhouse.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Developmental-Trauma-Close-Up-Revised-Jan-2020.pdf

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Psychological First Aid Online Certificate

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Psychological First Aid Online Certificate

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Completing the Psychological First Aid (PFA) training has significantly expanded my understanding of immediate crisis response. I learned that PFA is not counseling or therapy, but rather a evidence-based approach to providing practical assistance and emotional support in the aftermath of disasters or traumatic events. The training emphasized the importance of safety, connectedness, and self-efficacy in helping individuals regain a sense of control during crisis situations. As a future mental health counselor, these skills will be invaluable when working with clients experiencing acute distress. The structured approach of PFA offers a clear framework that I can implement while remaining flexible to meet individual needs in various crisis contexts

National Child Traumatic Stress Network - PFA Mobile App: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/pfa-mobile

World Health Organization PFA Guide: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241548205

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Studying crisis prevention and threat assessment has highlighted the importance of proactive approaches in identifying and addressing potential crises before they escalate. I've developed a deeper understanding of risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors that influence crisis outcomes. Learning about structured threat assessment protocols has shown me how systematic evaluation can guide effective intervention while minimizing potential harm. In my future role, these assessment skills will be crucial for developing targeted safety plans and determining appropriate levels of intervention based on client risk levels. I'm particularly interested in how these approaches can be implemented in various settings to support individuals experiencing suicidal ideation or other acute crises.

National Association of School Psychologists - Threat Assessment Resources: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/systems-level-prevention/threat-assessment-at-school

SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Resource Center: https://www.sprc.org/

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Applying the ABC Model of Crisis Intervention to Steven's case study provided practical experience in breaking down a complex crisis situation into manageable components. This structured approach—Achieving a Relationship, Breaking Down the Problem, and Commitment to Action—offers a clear roadmap for crisis intervention while maintaining flexibility to address individual needs. I found particular value in identifying specific physical, emotional, social/relational, and cognitive aspects of the crisis, which allowed for comprehensive intervention planning. The model's emphasis on building rapport before problem-solving reinforced the importance of relationship as the foundation of effective crisis response. In my future practice, this model will serve as an important framework for organizing my approach to clients in crisis while ensuring all dimensions of their experience are addressed.

Kanel's A Guide to Crisis Intervention (6th edition): https://www.cengage.com/c/a-guide-to-crisis-intervention-6e-kanel/9781337566414/

Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute: https://ca.ctrinstitute.com/

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Local Emergency and Non-Emergency Support Services

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Local Emergency and Non-Emergency Support Services

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Emergency Services:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Local Emergency Services: 911

Local Non-Emergency Support Services - Odessa, Texas

Mental Health Resources:

PermiaCare (Formerly Permian Basin Community Centers): 432-570-3300 Address: 401 E. Illinois Ave, Midland, TX 79701 Website: https://www.permiacare.org/

Texas Panhandle Centers - Permian Basin: 432-570-3385 Address: 708 North Lincoln Street, Odessa, TX 79761

Centers for Children and Families: 432-580-7006 Address: 8401 N Faudree Rd, Odessa, TX 79765 Website: https://www.centerstx.org/

Substance Use Resources:

Advantage Treatment Center: 432-332-4822 Address: 517 N Lincoln St, Odessa, TX 79761

Basin Detox and Recovery Center: 432-253-2600 Address: 115 East Hwy 80, Midland, TX 79701 Website: https://basindetox.com/

Support Groups:

NAMI Permian Basin (National Alliance on Mental Illness): 432-213-4585 Website: https://namibasintexas.org/

Rays of Hope Children's Grief Centre: 432-684-5437 Address: 900 W Wall St, Midland, TX 79701 Website: https://www.raysofhopemidland.org/

Community Resources:

West Texas Opportunities, Inc.: 432-332-8723 Address: 1415 E 8th St, Odessa, TX 79761 Website: https://www.gowto.org/

211 Texas: Dial 2-1-1 A 24/7 hotline connecting people to local health and human services

Family Support:

Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend: 432-580-8575 (24-hour crisis hotline) Address: 910 S Grant Ave, Odessa, TX 79761 Website: https://www.familycrisiscenter.org/

Harmony Home Children's Advocacy Center: 432-333-5233 Address: 910 S Grant Ave, Odessa, TX 79761 Website: https://www.harmonyhometx.org/

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Referral Processes Within Your Scope of Practice

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Referral Processes Within Your Scope of Practice

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As a mental health counselor, my referral process will include:

1. Assessment: Evaluate client needs, including severity of symptoms and required level of care

2. Resource Matching: Identify appropriate providers or services based on client needs, insurance, location, and specialization

3. Warm Handoff: Provide direct connection when possible, including introductions and information sharing (with consent)

4. Follow-up: Check in with both client and referral source to ensure successful connection

5. Documentation: Maintain detailed records of all referrals, including rationale and outcomes

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Cultural competence is essential when delivering crisis and trauma services as cultural factors significantly influence how individuals experience, express, and respond to traumatic events. As a counselor, I must recognize that cultural background shapes risk and protective factors, help-seeking behaviors, and healing processes. Without cultural awareness, I risk misinterpreting symptoms, imposing inappropriate interventions, or inadvertently causing harm. Developing cultural humility requires ongoing self-reflection, education about diverse populations, and genuine curiosity about each client's unique cultural context. In crisis situations, being responsive to cultural considerations can make the difference between interventions that empower versus those that further marginalize vulnerable individuals. I commit to continuous growth in this area by seeking diverse supervision, consulting with cultural brokers when needed, and regularly evaluating my own biases and assumptions.