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Greetings! I'm Alicia Burley and I am working towards earning a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling. Upon completion, I plan to enroll in the LPC bridge program, with a goal of becoming Licensed Professional Counselor. In the future, I want to provide counseling and social work services to foster youth and young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. I hope to also provide some level of services to survivors of domestic violence. My goal for this course is to increase my knowledge of crisis and trauma, and how both impact lives.

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Reflection on Introductions and Assessing Prior Knowledge

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Reflection on Introductions and Assessing Prior Knowledge

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There is a great deal of trauma and mental health needs in the world. I did have some general knowledge about mental health, but not a lot of concrete information on trauma. One of my biggest take aways from reading the materials during the first week was that there is a large youth population in need of mental health treatment. I have experienced traumatic events as a child and as an adult. I also have several family members with mental health diagnoses. Most of them do not or have not sought mental health treatment.

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Mental Health First Aid USA - Mental Health First Aid

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Mental Health First Aid is a national program to teach the skills to respond to the signs of mental illness and substance use.

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Reflection on Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

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Reflection on Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

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There are many mental health disorders. The reference guide created serves as a great resource that includes quick definitions of depressive, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, and psychotic disorders. I learned about the different subtypes of the disorders and each category noted that early intervention was important. One of the common reasons for early intervention was to prevent/minimize worsening of symptoms.

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Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders FINAL

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Reflection on Developmental Discussion on Trauma

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Reflection on Developmental Discussion on Trauma

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I watched the documentary, Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story. I saw complex trauma and generational trauma from Cyntoia's grandmother, mother, and Cyntoia. I learned more about some of the signs of trauma and impact on individuals: academically, socially, and emotionally. Cyntoia was a sex trafficked child, who ended up committing murder. She ended up in prison for 15 years and I believe this added to her traumatic experiences.

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Reflection on Psychological First Aid Online Certificate 

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Reflection on Psychological First Aid Online Certificate 

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This course was fantastic! After Hurricane Rita, there were many evacuees who came to Nacogdoches, Texas (where I went to college). This would have been a great certificate to have during that time. I would like to maintain this Psychological First Aid certificate and go out with different organizations if/when disaster hits our local area. The scenarios and and information on cultural competence will be very beneficial in my future.

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online_Certificate

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Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment Plan for Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

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Reflection on Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment Prevention and Culture Competence

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Reflection on Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment Prevention and Culture Competence

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This group project was challenging, but very beneficial. My group was tasked with developing a crisis prevention and threat assessment plan for suicide and non-suicidal self-injury. I learned about different screening and assessment tools related to suicidal ideation, such as the SOARS risk assessment. I also learned about the different ways to incorporate cultural competence in this plan, such as: self awareness, knowledge of different culture groups in the area you are serving, and maintaining an empathetic and caring attitude.

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Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment Plan for Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

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Reflection on Crisis and Trauma Resource Padlet

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Reflection on Crisis and Trauma Resource Padlet

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This padlet was one of the best assignments in this course! I love having somewhere that includes so many useful resources to reference at a later time. I put some thought into this padlet and hope to make use of it in the future. I learned about several new resources during this course.

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Reflection on ABC Model of Crisis Intervention

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Reflection on ABC Model of Crisis Intervention

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The ABC Model was a challenging, yet beneficial assignment. I appreciated learning how to break down a person's problem/needs/issues. I had not thought about the different steps that a counselor and client would need to approach. I do think it's important to identify what the most important need is identified by the client, but also being sensitive to/aware of risks that might require immediate attention.

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The 2014 ACA Code of Ethics is what I will be required to follow when I become a Licensed Professional Counselor.  This is the Code of Ethics adhered by the Texas Counseling Association. This will guide my ethical practice, help me through ethical dilemmas and ensure that I am operating within my scope.

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The Anxiety and Depression Association of America is a helpful resource as it has a find a provider tool, that helps individuals locate mental health professionals who have experience in anxiety and other related disorders.

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The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a great resource as it provides a wealth of education for those newly diagnosed, recommendations for treatment, and provides information on online, local support groups.

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DBSA's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

DBSA recognizes the unique ways identity, culture, and access affect people living with mood disorders. We strive to create safe and inclusive spaces for individuals to feel empowered on their own path to wellness. DBSA seeks to create equitable access to peer support services and mental health resources and advocate for all individuals with a lived experience with a mood disorder, regardless of cultural and social identity or systemic barriers.
Learn more about our initiatives

Who We Are

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading national organization focusing on mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, which affect over 21 million Americans, account for over 50% of the nation's suicides every year, and cost $23 billion in lost workdays and other workplace losses.

DBSA offers peer-based, wellness-oriented support and empowering services and resources available when people need them, where they need them, and how they need to receive them-online, in local support groups, in audio and video casts, or in printed materials distributed by DBSA, our chapters, and mental health care facilities across America.

Through our extensive resources and 450 support groups across the country, DBSA reaches millions of people each year with in-person and online peer support; current, readily understandable information about depression and bipolar disorder; and empowering tools focused on an integrated approach to wellness.
See What Makes DBSA Unique

Our Values
Integrity

Perform at the highest standards. We strive for best in class.

Be honest in our interactions and develop trusting relationships.

Take personal, and where appropriate, team responsibility for results.

Acknowledge what we don't know.

Openness

Demonstrate willingness to continuously learn, grow, and change.

Celebrate our differences.

Be present, curious and receptive to new and different ideas and situations.

Mindfulness

Ask for help and reciprocate help when needed.

Respect each other's perspectives, experiences, and sensitivities.

Be mindful of our individual impact on the work environment.

Speak with thoughtfulness. We think before we speak.

Collaboration

Show a willingness to give up personal ownership for the greater good/outcome.

Work together to foster individual and organizational growth.

Create an environment where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Have a holistic view of the work of the organization.

Remain flexible to achieve optimal outcomes.

See DBSA Core Beliefs

Support DBSA by Making a Gift

There are many ways to become a DBSA supporter and a member of the DBSA community. However you choose to support us and our mission to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders, we thank you!

Donate Now Ways to Give

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About DBSA - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

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The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading national organization focusing on mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, which affect over 21 million Americans, account for over 50% of the nation's suicides every year, and cost $23 billion in lost workdays and other workplace losses.

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This video is resourceful as it demonstrates a breathing technique that can be used to reduce the anxiety of someone experiencing a panic attack.

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Can Breathing Reduce Anxiety and Prevent a Panic Attack

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This is a helpful resource as it explains bipolar disorder in detail, using audio/visual, and differentiates amongst the three types of bipolar disorder.

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Narcotics Anonymous is a great resource to provide support to individuals with other substance use disorders. https://na.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous is a great resource as it allows for support for individuals at all levels of recovery. https://www.aa.org/

This is a great resource for those who need to chat with someone regarding their eating disorder or need additional information. https://www.alsana.com/

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The Texas Administrative Code includes requirements for Professional Counselors. There are requirements for academic and supervisor needs. There are also requirements for continuing education and experience. I hope to become a Licensed Professional Counselor one day and I will be responsible for following this Code.

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TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS

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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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https://www.mhmrtarrant.org/crisis-services/
https://www.grandprairiepolice.org/About-Us/Crisis-Support-Unit
https://www.perimeterhealthcare.com/arlington
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help
https://www.naminorthtexas.org/
https://www.211.org/get-help/mental-health

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As a future Licensed Professional Counselor, I would refer a client out if I was inexperienced in their area of need. I would keep a list of providers and/or outreach to their insurance provider to find in network providers (if insured). If they need a higher level of care, I might refer them to the closest ER or psychiatric hospital who offers 24/7 assessments, and will determine the appropriate level of care. I could also reach out to the local Community Mental Health Center.

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Helpful article on goal setting, making goals SMART and positive.

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35 Techniques Every Counselor Should Know

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35 Techniques Every Counselor Should Know

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Great list of different techniques counselors can use while working with individuals, at different stages.

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988 is a great resource as it is a crisis and suicide prevention hotline, that allows people of all ages to reach out and receive free support/resources.

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ADAA_Anxiety. (2022, May 20). Can breathing reduce anxiety and prevent a panic attack. [Video]. You Tube. https://youtu.be/74uZh8VeUFs?si=6JPKNeDxXuVA_pAi

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.

Parsons, R. D., Zhang, N. (2013). Becoming a skilled counselor. Reference & Research Book News, 28(4).  Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/vip/cpiseries/parson-zhang/materials/Chapter5ParsonsBecomingSkilledCounselor.pdf

Psych Hub. (2021, October 28). What is bipolar disorder? [Video]. You Tube. https://youtu.be/G9vkGCo7Gtg?si=wDo3sv6gMadFGD0f

22 Tex. Admin. Code §681