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My name is Ambar Montes and I am in the Mental Health and Wellness Counseling Program. My personal and professional goal go hand-in-hand. Personally, I would like to increase my verbal communication skills. I struggle with explaining things and want to be an effective communicator. This ties into my future professional goal of becoming an advocate for mental health. Advocacy is important for helping clients get proper treatment by addressing mental health issues and getting funding. What I would like to get out of this course is enough knowledge about mental health conditions and trauma so that I can be an effective advocate in my professional career. I have a BA in Psychology, so I have a basic understanding of mental disorders. I believe this course will help me further understand the severity of multiple conditions.

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Reflection 1: Introductions and Assessing Prior Knowledge

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Reflection 1: Introductions and Assessing Prior Knowledge

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Having done multiple introductions in previous classes, I often underestimate the purpose behind it. Reading through my peers introductions, I found myself trying to find what areas of interest they had so that I can find others who were like me. I see that by doing this, it provides me the opportunity to network, which is a valuable skill for my future role. As a future licensed professional counselor, I need to be able to collaborate with others so that we may better serve a client. I may be working with lawyers, police officers, doctors, and teachers to help provide care to a client. It is imperative that we work together to help a client. Mental health conditions affect multiple facets of life, so to fully treat a client, I must be able to collaborate with other professionals as well.

With regards to assessing my prior knowledge, I found the statistics on mental health conditions alarming. The resources I reviewed drove the point that mental health issues need to be addressed. While mental health issues are rising, so are people willing to seek out help. It made me feel good to know that pursuing my career is a worthwhile endeavor. It also has me thinking about helping out populations that are vulnerable such as children/adolescents, addicts, and the LGBTQ+ community. Continuing my research throughout this course will encourage me to build my knowledge base and help me in my future career as an LPC.

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Introduction Post_Intro to Trauma Concerns

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Reflection 2: Reference Guide for Mental Disorders

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Reflection 2: Reference Guide for Mental Disorders

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Working on the reference guide for mental disorders was intense work for me personally. It had me explore, analyze, and synthesize the extensive information an all kinds of mental disorders. Working through the assignment made me realize how many resources are out there for these kinds of mental disorders. All it takes is taking the time to look for the information. The assignment also gave me a chance to refresh my memory on mental health conditions and look through my DSM-5 again. I am glad I get to keep this worksheet as I found myself wanting to add information on helpful treatment options. I hope to find more useful resources to add on to this worksheet and include a treatment column when time permits. I can picture myself looking at this reference guide in the future to help me refresh my memory on all the mental disorders. I look forward to using this resource in my future career as an LPC, as it could serve as a quick guide for me when dealing with patients.

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Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders_Intro to Trauma Concerns

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Reflection 3: Developmental Discussion on Trauma

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Reflection 3: Developmental Discussion on Trauma

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With my background in Psychology, I thought I knew what trauma meant. Going over the resources provided in this course, I found myself only knowing the surface of it. I realize that trauma affects all aspects of a persons life and can have severe consequences. I find myself interested in finding out what types of treatment methods are effective.

One resource article that stuck out to me was Trauma and Burnout: Counselors in Training (Keim et al., 2008). I was shocked to find out that counselors are at a high risk of experiencing trauma, due to the nature of the job. I guess it never occurred to me that just because counselors help people resolve their trauma and mental health issues, they are not exempt from these types of issues themselves. I thought that by being versed in the mental health field, meant that we can handle these types of issues. But, we are human as well and need help from time to time. It is important to know the signs because burnout can lead to pre-maturely quitting the job.

I think it was important for me to learn about trauma as I learned about the various types. I can be more confident now in knowing that I can spot signs of trauma, maybe not in a client, but within myself. This content helped increase my self-awareness and reflection skills and I hope to keep supplementing this skill as I work towards my future career.

Reference
Keim, J., Olguin, D.L. Marley, S.C. & Theiman, A. (2008). Trauma and burnout: Counselors in training. In G.R. Walz, J.C. Bleuer, & R.K. Yep (Eds.), Compelling counseling Interventions: Celebrating VISTAS’ fifth anniversary (pp. 293-303) Ann Arbor, MI: Counseling Outfitters.

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Complete Developmental Trauma Discussion-Intro to Trauma Concerns

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I found this assignment practical as I gained a lot of knowledge that I could apply to my future career. One of my favorite parts about learning psychological first aid were the examples provided teaching me how to communicate with someone who is in a crisis. I found myself wanting to read more examples on what to say to someone. This is one area I feel I lack in and I found this assignment very insightful. I may even go back and see what other trainings I could take that could help me improve my skills.

In addition, I found the assignment versatile as I noticed that the scenarios provided were more humanitarian based. However, I still found myself thinking about how to apply these situations in my future career. For instance, it gave me insight on how to approach and speak to others. It also provided helpful information in how to be efficient in crisis situations. I now know what signs to look out for in a person experiencing a crisis. This assignment helped me identify people who need help first, which will help me divide my time more effectively. I feel like this could help me be a better licensed professional counselor in the future.

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Reflection 5: Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment Presentation

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Reflection 5: Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment Presentation

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At first, the group assignment seemed intimidating, only because I did not know what crisis prevention and threat assessment entailed. Luckily for me, the group members and I divided up the work equally which made it more manageable. I was able to understand some of the aspects and I found it great to collaborate with others. If there was something that others could not understand I was happy to help and provide my perspective and vice versa. I took note of the differing perspectives from my group members, which challenged my views and helped me see things in a different way. This increased my understanding and knowledge of the topic at hand and I was amazed that all the information came together cohesively.

With regards to collaboration, I typically work well with others, although I found it hard to voice my concerns at certain points. I took this as an opportunity to work on my communication skills and I was astounded at the fact that I found a way on how to effectively communicate with my group members. I still need work in this area, however, I consider this a small victory and will continue to improve myself and my communication skills.

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Confidentiality: According to the American Counseling Association (2014, Section B.1.b) "counselors respect the privacy of prospective and current clients" (p. 6). As a future LPC, I must abide by this code to help serve the client. Confidentiality is an essential feature in a counseling setting. It is important in establishing trust between a client and counselor, as clients divulge their deepest thoughts and feelings to them. Without it, a counselor could use the information shared within a session as leverage and harm a client, which is unethical. Having this rule protects the client as well as build a therapeutic relationship.

Professional Boundaries: As a future LPC, I must recognize the importance of setting professional boundaries. It is essential that I establish these boundaries in the beginning with a client as crossing a boundary can compromise treatment. For example, section A.6.b of the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) states, counselors must assess the risks and benefits of crossing the professional counselor boundary outside of therapy. As a future LPC, I will have to decide if helping a client outside of therapy will help in treatment or hinder them. These types of situations will have to be discussed with the client and be agreed upon, not only to protect the client but myself as well.

Professional Competence: The ACA Code of Ethics (2014, Section C.2.a) states, "counselors only practice within the boundaries of their competence..." (p. 8). It is important to be able to self-reflect and assess whether or not I am capable of helping a client. If my credentials or training do not stack up, I must refer the client to another professional. I could end up hurting a client if I am not capable of providing adequate service. However, this also means that I cannot provide services that are out of my scope of knowledge. For example, I cannot provide medical treatment as it would be considered to be out of my field of expertise.

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

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Reference

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2020). Infographics and fact sheets. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-by-the-Numbers/Infographics-Fact-Sheets

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Reflection 6: ABC Model of Crisis Intervention

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Reflection 6: ABC Model of Crisis Intervention

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I tend to easily get overwhelmed when there is too much information or detail thrown my way, however, this model helped me tackle the assignment thoroughly. I appreciated the step-by-step process of this model which helped me analyze the case study effectively. I was constantly reminded to handle things one step at a time, which helped me focus. I can see how this assignment can be implemented for my future career. For instance, this assignment helped increase my time management and focusing skills. As stated before, I get overwhelmed with too much information and my mind starts to race with intrusive thoughts about other things that also need my attention. This ABC Crisis Intervention model broke down the assignment into easier pieces for me to address one at a time. This is indicative of how I should collect myself, assess the situation, and address the more pressing issues first, and then focus on the next task at hand in my future career as a LPC.

Looking back on this assignment, I am surprised to see my skill for planning improve as well. It showed me that I know more than I think I do. However, I am always eager to learn new techniques that I can apply to my future career. Lastly, I found the resources for this assignments extremely helpful and practical. My favorite resource was the 35 Techniques Every Counselor Should Know by Erford et al. (2020). I had some basic understanding on some of the techniques listed such as role playing, reframing, and self-talk. There were others that I have never heard of so I plan on researching these techniques in further detail so that I can better prepare myself for my future career.

References

Erford, B., Eaves, S., Bryant, E.., & Young, S. (2010). 35 techniques every counselor should know.  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

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ABC Model of Crisis Intervention-Intro to Trauma Concerns

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Reference

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Navigating a mental health crisis. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Retrieved March 8, 2022, from https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Publications-Reports/Guides/Navigating-a-Mental-Health-Crisis

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Emergency

Midland Police Department

432-685-7108

Midland Memorial Hospital

432-655-1111

The Salvation Army of Midland

432-683-3614

American Red Cross

432-563-2267

Non-Emergency Support

Hospice of Midland

432-682-2855

Midland Fair Havens

432-689-3411

Rays of Hope: Children's Grief Center

432-684-5437

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According to the ACA code of ethics section C.2.a (2014), a counselor can only provide services under their scope of knowledge, training, skill, and credentials. However, because counseling is a helping profession, counselors are expected to be equipped with the necessary information to provide a client should they need other services. For instance, a counselor may treat a client for depression, however, if the symptom of insomnia keeps persisting, they must consider referring the client to go see a doctor or sleep specialist in order to address this pressing medical issue. In this specific case, the counselor may provide relaxation techniques to help the client fall asleep, however, they are not authorized to prescribe medication as it is outside of their scope to do so.

As a future LPC, I would need training and education in addiction treatment if I wanted to help a client with substance abuse. However, I would need to refer this client to an addiction treatment facility if I do not have these certain credentials. Addiction may also cause adverse physical effects on a person, so medical assistance will be needed as well. Another example is marriage counseling, I would need to have credentials in couples counseling before providing treatment for a married couple. If I were certified and providing treatment, but the couple decides to get a divorce and start to ask about divorce laws, I would need to refer them to a lawyer. In this example, I can still address the couples strained relationship, however, laws regarding divorce is out of my scope of knowledge, so a divorce lawyer is needed to help them with this kind of information.

Lastly, counseling people with mental health issues is one thing, however, if symptoms get worse and/or start to cause physical harm, a referral is need to immediately address it. The safety of the client is a priority and it is unethical for a counselor to treat someone for something that is out of their scope to do so. This could lead to malpractice lawsuits as unnecessary harm may be brought on a client. So, referral processes are put in place and encouraged when counselors cannot ethically provide a specific service other than mental health counseling to a client. Doctors, addiction treatment specialists, lawyers, social workers, psychiatrists etc. are all part of a care team and must collaborate with counselors in order to address a client fully. In this way, a client can be treated as a whole and hopefully increase their progress in treatment.

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

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American Counseling Association (ACA):

A national association that will help with providing the latest research in counseling, as well as topics of interest and resources to continue educating  and supporting counselors.

(https://www.counseling.org/)

Texas Counseling Association (TCA):

A state association that will help in continuing education, advocacy, and provide news that affect counselors in the state of Texas.

(https://txca.org/)

Trauma Resource Institute:

This provides a way to get certified in trauma resiliency.

(https://www.traumaresourceinstitute.com/)

National Institute of Mental Health:

This resource provides information, brochures, and fact sheets on mental health and mental illness.

(https://www.nimh.nih.gov/)

Youtube:

Mental Health during the Pandemic (https://youtu.be/QS19fg0KCZk)

Dr. Tracey Marks-helps identify mental disorders

Articles of Importance:

35 Techniques Every Counselor Should Know

Erford, B., Eaves, S., Bryant, E.., & Young, S. (2010). 35 Techniques Every Counselor Should Know.  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

Trauma and Burnout: Counselors in Training

Keim, J., Olguin, D.L. Marley, S.C. & Theiman, A. (2008). Trauma and burnout: Counselors in training. In G.R. Walz, J.C. Bleuer, & R.K. Yep (Eds.), Compelling counseling Interventions: Celebrating VISTAS’ fifth anniversary (pp. 293-303) Ann Arbor, MI: Counseling Outfitters.

Grappling with Compassion Fatigue

(https://ct.counseling.org/2020/08/grappling-with-compassion-fatigue/)

The Making of a Culturally Competent Counselor

Pedersen, P. B. (2002). The making of a culturally competent counselor. Online Readings in
Psychology and Culture, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1093

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It is important to address every aspect of a client, including culture, because a clients experience is impacted by their culture. As a Latina myself, I must be aware of my own preferences and biases when working with clients. For one, being culturally competent means that I must reflect on my beliefs and keep them in check. I must not impose my beliefs on my clients as well as influence them. Being culturally competent also means being aware of a clients background. A clients needs are embedded in their experiences which are colored through their culture. Culture has a lot to do with how we perceive and react to certain situations, so when this gets ignored, an essential component is missing during a counseling session and in treatment. A part of a clients identity is intertwined with their culture, so when this is overlooked in treatment, it can hinder progress. In this way, culture is evidently important.

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

Erford, B., Eaves, S., Bryant, E.., & Young, S. (2010). 35 techniques every counselor should know.  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

Keim, J., Olguin, D.L. Marley, S.C. & Theiman, A. (2008). Trauma and burnout: Counselors in training. In G.R. Walz, J.C. Bleuer, & R.K. Yep (Eds.), Compelling counseling Interventions: Celebrating VISTAS’ fifth anniversary (pp. 293-303) Ann Arbor, MI: Counseling Outfitters.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (n.d.). Navigating a mental health crisis. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Retrieved March 8, 2022, from https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Publications-Reports/Guides/Navigating-a-Mental-Health-Crisis

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2020). Infographics and fact sheets. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-by-the-Numbers/Infographics-Fact-Sheets