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Hello! I'm Michelle Herndon, and I'm proud to call North Texas my home. Currently, I'm working towards my Professional Counseling degree to fulfill the LPC licensure requirements, with the goal of graduating by August 2025. It's my second semester back at Angelo State, and I’m excited to dive deeper into this journey. Interestingly, I completed the School Counselor requirements back in 2018, and I bring a unique perspective to my studies due to my diverse educational background.

I started with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, focusing on Juvenile Delinquents, and then went on to earn my Master of Education in general education for grades EC-8, Administration and Leadership, and an Advanced Study in School Counseling. I've spent 21 years in education, including five years as a Special Education School Counselor in a rural cooperative service program that serves six school districts. What fuels my passion for counseling is the incredible opportunity it provides to make a positive impact on people's lives. My long-term aspiration is to work as a professional counselor in the private sector, specifically with emotionally disabled adolescents, after I retire from public education. I would love to serve a local mental health hospital or patient care facility in my rural community, especially since North Texas is underserved and in dire need of professional counselors.

In this course, I aim to deepen my understanding of crisis, trauma, and mental health issues. My hope is that it will equip me with the resources and strategies necessary for effective prevention and responsive services. I want to enhance my skills in recognizing and responding to crises while maintaining professional boundaries, ensuring that I create a supportive and safe environment for those facing these challenges.

Professional Goal: I am determined to complete my graduate program in counseling in mental health and wellness this summer. I will pursue the final classes needed for the LPC bridge program. My aspiration is to graduate with a strong foundation in therapeutic approaches, cultural competence, and self-awareness, fully equipped to take the next steps toward obtaining licensure and delivering high-quality, empathetic care to diverse client populations.

Personal Goal: My goal is to be more intentional about being in the moment during family events and activities, setting aside distractions, and focusing on building deeper connections. I want to participate and fully appreciate the time spent together. By prioritizing quality moments with my family, I aim to strengthen our bonds and create lasting memories.

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I hold a B.S. in Criminal Justice with a focus on juvenile delinquents, which makes this documentary particularly compelling for me. I was previously unaware of this story, until I read the suggested list of documentaries. As I approach Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story, I am eager to explore the complexities of the justice system, especially in cases involving juveniles and victims of trafficking. I expect the documentary to illuminate the legal, social, and psychological factors that played a role in Cyntoia Brown’s situation, providing valuable insights into these important issues, especially as a professional counselor.

From prior knowledge, I understand that Cyntoia Brown was convicted as a teenager for the murder of a man who solicited her for sex. Her case gained national attention due to discussions surrounding self-defense, human trafficking, and the treatment of minors in the criminal justice system. I expect the documentary to provide deeper insights into her life, legal battle, and the broader implications for juvenile justice reform.

Birman, D. H. (Director). (2020). Murder to mercy: The Cyntoia Brown story [Documentary]. Netflix.

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MURDER TO MERCY: THE CYNTOIA BROWN STORY | Official Trailer | Netflix

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Psychological First Aid Online Certificate

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Psychological First Aid Online Certificate

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The Psychological First Aid (PFA) certificate provides individuals with essential skills to offer immediate emotional support to those affected by trauma or crises. This qualification enhances crisis response abilities, enabling professionals to help others cope with traumatic events such as natural disasters or personal crises while promoting mental health awareness.

PFA emphasizes early intervention, reducing the risk of long-term mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, or depression. It is relevant in various fields, including healthcare, education, and social work, adding valuable expertise.

Furthermore, PFA builds community resilience, empowering individuals to support each other during difficult times. It promotes professional development, enhances communication skills, and helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by normalizing conversations. Overall, the PFA certificate is a vital tool for providing emotional support and fostering healthier, more resilient communities.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (n.d.). Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online. National Child Traumatic Stress Network. https://learn.nctsn.org/mod/questionnaire/view.php?id=12756

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online_Certificate

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This case is crucial as it demonstrates the significant impact of establishing a safe and empathetic environment where clients truly feel heard and understood. Professional counselors play a vital role in addressing the anger and behavioral challenges that clients encounter. By employing open communication and reflective listening, we can effectively support clients in expressing their emotions, which fosters trust and provides clarity about their feelings. This process not only enhances their self-awareness but also empowers their families with valuable insights that enable them to better support one another at home and in school. Ultimately, this approach leads to positive outcomes for their overall well-being.

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Crisis prevention and intervention is vital for counselors. I currently serve as a special education counselor and students with difference circumstance have delicate needs. Students today often face unique challenges like social isolation and communication difficulties, raising their suicide risk. Counselors identify at-risk students, provide personalized support, and foster safe environments. By collaborating with families and professionals, they can implement effective interventions while fulfilling their ethical and legal responsibility to protect student well-being.

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As I reviewed the introduction to crisis and trauma, one key takeaway for me was the realization of how limited the resources are in my rural community. While there are some options available, there is still so much more to explore. We do have some new resources that are making a difference, such as the local children's advocacy center for North Texas, our mental health and wellness provider, Helen Farbee, and a faith-based organization known as Jenny's Hope. By familiarizing myself with these resources, I truly believe I can help strengthen the mental health network in my area and make a meaningful difference for the emotionally disabled students I work with and their families. These programs are crucial in providing the foundational knowledge and skills needed to support individuals experiencing emotional and psychological distress.

Working as a special education counselor for students with emotional disabilities underscores the importance of understanding mental health, trauma, and crisis. Many of these emotional disabilities stem from, or are worsened by, trauma, and these students often find themselves in mental health crises. By understanding the underlying factors contributing to their emotional and behavioral challenges, I can approach these students with empathy and create tailored interventions that promote healing and growth.

Taking the provided quizzes and reflecting on my experiences solidified how important it is to recognize the signs of trauma and mental health issues, especially in a school setting. While I already had a strong foundation in these areas, the quiz helped me assess areas where I could further develop my knowledge, particularly in terms of crisis intervention. In my experiences, I've had the privilege of working with students who have faced various traumatic situations, such as domestic violence, bullying, and neglect. These experiences can profoundly affect their emotional regulation, social interactions, and academic performance. One situation that stands out to me involved a student who had witnessed severe domestic violence at home. This student often struggled with outbursts of anger and frustration, leading to disruptions in the classroom. By recognizing that these behaviors were stemming from a trauma response, I collaborated with teachers, administrators, and mental health professionals to develop a behavior plan that provided support during crises. I also facilitated ongoing counseling sessions that incorporated trauma-informed practices to help this student process and cope with their emotions in a safe space.

This experience has helped me see the intricate connection between emotional disabilities and trauma. I've learned so much about the importance of supporting these students and their families and how essential it is to provide them with the understanding and tools they need to heal and grow. Moving forward, I am committed to continuing my education on mental health and crisis management which I hope this class will build on my prior knowledge.

Mental Health First Aid. (n.d.). Youth Mental Health First Aid. Mental Health First Aid. Retrieved January 19, 2025, from https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/population-focused-modules/youth/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4rK8BhD7ARIsAFe5LXL212l_VGAtJlQI-rjppIjeYDrceSVhztAaTB3GmlKWdfprDcxkRQ0aApGUEALw_wcB

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Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people.

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Reference Guide to Mental Health Disorders

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Reference Guide to Mental Health Disorders

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The creation of this mental health disorder reference guide has greatly enhanced my understanding of various mental health conditions. It heightened my awareness of key risk factors, such as trauma and chronic stress, as it relates to mental health, which are essential for implementing timely and effective intervention strategies. The guide will be an invaluable resource, contributing significantly to my professional development and enhancing my ability to understand the importance of providing comprehensive and compassionate care. I particularly appreciated the helpful reference material section, which allowed me to explore the different resources available to individuals facing mental health challenges and highlighted the abundance of support options readily accessible to them.

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Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

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Ethical Codes - Licensed Professional Counselor

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Ethical Codes - Licensed Professional Counselor

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The ACA (American Counseling Association) Code of Ethics specifies several fundamental principles that guide counselors in their professional practice. Confidentiality and privacy (A.2.a) underscore the counselor's obligation to safeguard client confidentiality, with specified exceptions in situations that pose a risk to oneself or others. Competence (C.2) necessitates that counselors provide services within their areas of expertise, informed by appropriate education, training, and supervision. Informed consent (A.2.b) requires counselors to furnish clients with clear and comprehensible information about the counseling process, including the limitations associated with confidentiality. Cultural competence (E.5) emphasizes the importance of respecting and embracing diversity, promoting inclusivity throughout the counselor-client relationship. Counselors must comply with relevant legal frameworks, including federal and state statutes These ethical and legal guidelines establish a foundation for counselors to deliver professional, ethical, and legally sound services, to establish trust and respect within the therapeutic relationship.

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf