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Ethics - Texas Counseling Association. (2023). Txca.org. https://www.txca.org/ethics.php

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Improving Cultural Competence QUICK GUIDE FOR CLINICIANS. (n.d.). https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma16-4931.pdf

Mental Health Crisis Services | Texas Health and Human Services. (2016). Texas.gov. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services

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“Culture” refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups. “Competence” implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities. (“Improving Cultural Competence QUICK GUIDE for CLINICIANS,” n.d.) As a counselor, I feel cultural competence is to respect clients' diverse backgrounds by communicating effectively and knowingly based on the background of the client. It is the counselor's responsibility to be aware of these differences in order to build trust, build empathy and understanding, and ensure the client feels heard.

Improving Cultural Competence QUICK GUIDE FOR CLINICIANS. (n.d.). https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma16-4931.pdf

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The case study I chose involved a 14-year-old boy who grew up with an angry and physical father. He moved with his mom and began to have problems in school and at home because of his angry outbursts. This case study is beneficial to my future profession because I would like to work with children and adolescents. I enjoyed studying how to build a relationship and come up with a treatment plan moving forward to help the client cope. I learned to look closely at each of the clients issues and needs in order to analyze what was best for him.

I found this resource quite informative when looking into helping teens cope with anger. https://positivepsychology.com/anger-management-for-teens/

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This assignment allowed for extensive informational research on how to guide clients when they feel trapped or in danger. Numerous resources and references are available to help clients stay and feel safe. Crisis prevention and threat assessment is an essential part of getting clients what they need. What stood out to me the most is the detail in the safety plans. Every scenario seemed to be considered when assisting someone who is involved with domestic violence, and the best way to keep them safe.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JwppKTKwSs3DeVmPmnHx1ifDIMQI9zA6BW97ZLL9-mI/edit?usp=sharing

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I feel very fortunate to have completed the Psychological First Aid online course. This was new to me, and I was unaware it even existed. I found every bit of it beneficial to providing aid in crises and believe the techniques are useful for several life situations even outside of helping during crises. The methods used coincide with working in counseling sessions with clients as well. This course was beneficial in becoming a future counselor because if you experience a client that has been through a sudden crisis or has family going through crisis, then the methods used can be applied. I found the information about stress reactions, coping with distress reactions, coping to reduce distress, and promote adaptive functioning the most applicable. (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2020)

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I found this assignment quite fascinating, in which we were assigned to do a bit of research regarding the types of trauma and then to view a documentary on someone who was affected by trauma and resulted in a difficult childhood and/or adult life. I learned that traumatic events or recurring traumatic circumstances affect people differently. Some become violent, involved with drugs/alcohol, murderous, angry, or depressed. The documentaries that portray these people who have been affected go from extremely well-known stories such as Ted Bundy, to small-town men/women with trauma that grow up with burdensome lives. Understanding trauma and how it affects the brain helps me to become a stronger professional counselor. Some people are aware of their backgrounds and how it affects them, but some may come to therapy only to reveal that there was an unknown trauma or crisis that is causing how they are feeling today. My understanding of how brains process and handle these traumatic moments can allow me to treat clients with treatment plans that benefit them best.

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The National Institute of Mental Health is a website I find myself constantly referring to for information regarding mental health. It contains articles, studies, and general information on mental illnesses.

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

When taking the online courses for the psychological first aid, I explored their website and discovered great references regarding trauma. I found articles on childhood trauma that I think would be beneficial as I pursue professional counseling with children.

https://learn.nctsn.org/

After taking the psychological first aid online course, I researched how to become involved in helping out in a crisis. I came across a volunteer crisis helpline website that I would like to look into for this summer.

https://www.crisistextline.org/volunteer/

I found this website extremely helpful as it provides examples of safety plans for women and/or children who are victims to domestic abuse.

https://www.thehotline.org/resources/safety-planning

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Crisis hotlines

Austin Travis County Integral Care: 512-472-HELP (4357)

Williamson County: 1-800-841-1255

Bastrop County Family Crisis Center: 1-888-311-7755

Hays County: 1-877-466-0660

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746

Walk-in clinics

Austin Integral Care: Located at the Richard E. Hopkins Behavioral Health Building, 1165 Airport Blvd., Second Floor, Austin, TX, 78701

(Mental Health Crisis Services | Texas Health and Human Services, 2016)

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The Texas Counseling Association is a source with several links to general codes of ethics state and nationwide. Texas adheres to the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics which includes guidelines on boundaries, confidentiality, multiculturalism, record-keeping, interventions, and much more. This comprehensive guide is beneficial to my role as a counselor because it contains information on the protection of myself and my clients, ensuring the best interest of the client, sustaining professional honesty, and guidance on working through difficult situations. Overall it helps ensure a healthy, trusting, and effective work environment for the counselor and the client. (Ethics - Texas Counseling Association, 2023)

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There are multiple ethical codes that inform the professional behavior of counselors. This is due in part to the manifold areas in which we specialize and the populations with which we work. As counseling specialties have emerged, so have the guidelines for protecting clients who seek specialized help. These links will direct you to the more prevalent codes for Texas counseling professionals.

American Counseling Association

The following links are to the American Counseling Association's Ethics website. They are helpful resources to further ethics understanding and to processing concerns. This ACA Ethics resource page provides contact information for ethical consults, as well as, the current Code of Ethics:

The American Counseling Association is the largest organization of counselors in the country, representing 45,000 members. The ACA Code of Ethics is a comprehensive overview of values for counselors in general, and is the code of ethics adhered to by the Texas Counseling Association.
Ethics and Risk Management Resources Ethical Decision Making Model Policies and procedures for processing ethical complaints brought before the American Counseling Association Ethics Committee
Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors Code of Ethics corresponds to Texas laws that affect counseling.

American School Counselor Association

The ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors addresses the sensitive issues of working with minors in school settings.

Association for Specialists in Group Work

The Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW), a division of the American Counseling Association whose members are interested in and specialize in group work, has developed the ASGW Best Practice Guidelines. While there are several other codes of ethics in our field, these are most likely to be recognized by the general public and, regardless of your membership in these organizations, are the minimum standard by which the public would expect you to behave. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Professional counselors are directed to seek continual professional development related to legal and ethical issues in counseling and to join associations that represent their specialized interests.
TCA uses a strict vetting process that incorporates all applicable requirements of ethical codes when approving ethics continuing education programs.

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There are multiple ethical codes that inform the professional behavior of counselors. This is due in part to the manifold areas in which we specialize and the populations with which we work. As counseling specialties have emerged, so have the guidelines for protecting clients who seek specialized…

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As a counselor, I would receive a referral from a professional such as a social worker, pediatrician or doctor, or another therapist. The individual being referred, from the professional point of view, would benefit from counseling services and would be connected with a certified counselor. The person referring would also provide the individual's contact information and describe the client's needs to create a smoother adjustment to treatment. This could include the client's concerns, history medically, and what their present circumstances entail.

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Reference Guide to Mental Health Disorders

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Reference Guide to Mental Health Disorders

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This assignment was wonderfully challenging because it allowed me to explore and research so many different mental health disorders. The one that stood out to me the most, and I spent the most time on, was psychosis. One takeaway would be the severity of these disorders if not treated. I looked into a lot of the brain research behind it, and the changes that occur in the brain intensify the longer a person experiences the disorder. Being acutely aware of someone's symptoms or changes in behavior is such an important tool for helping someone receive the treatment they need. As a counselor, we can observe these symptoms and/or patterns in a client's life that may help lead them to understand their mental illness and seek or set up a specialized treatment plan. I referred to this website a lot because it is a wonderful resource for getting to know mental health and its disorders better. It contains information, articles, videos, and free webinars. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

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Rachel De La Pena-Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders 

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This assignment was an introduction of ourselves and to assess our prior knowledge to mental health. While taking one of the mental health quizzes it asked a statistical question regarding stigma. I got it incorrect and it made me question how much I knew about the stigma on mental health and the information surprised me. I know it exists but never put too much thought into it because I don't have a stigma myself. That is something I will always remember as a takeaway. I can utilize this while counseling for myself and my clients. It is important to have an open mind and to instill that in our clients as well as we navigate providing services to them. A website that helped me understand the extent of mental health stigma is called deconstructing stigma, and it entails a variety of people's accounts of the mental health stigma they have had to overcome. It is a website full of powerful stories.

deconstructingstigma.org

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My name is Rachel De La Pena and I am in the graduate program to become a Professional Counselor. I would like to obtain my LPC and work with families and children. One of my goals is to become an RPT (Registered Play Therapist). I am a former elementary teacher and strive to help children and families to become their personal best. From this course I hope to obtain the knowledge in understanding the depth of how crisis/trauma can effect families and children, and the best methods to approach trauma. The brain is such a tricky organ, and everyone responds differently to crisis. I look forward to helping those that need the support to get back on their feet. With that said, a personal goal of mine is to be mindful of self-care and awareness, so I can be at my best when helping others become theirs.