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Hi there! My name is Melissa Winn, and I am in the LPC Bridge program. I obtained my M.Ed. from Angelo State University in 2019 and am currently a middle school counselor.

A professional goal that I have is to teach my students how to cope with anxiety, bullying, academic struggles, friendships, and family issues. A personal goal that I have is to successfully balance my time between my husband, 3 boys, job, friends, and ASU schoolwork.

From this course, I hope to learn to recognize and assess students/clients with trauma in their lives, and how to help them to cope and work through it.

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Section 1: Introduction and Assessing Prior Knowledge

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Section 1: Introduction and Assessing Prior Knowledge

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While working on this assignment, I learned so much about statistics surrounding mental illness and trauma. I felt a little naive, since, even with many years as an educator and school counselor, I have not dealt with many students struggling with serious mental illness. Many of them have suffered serious trauma, though. Learning about trauma, grief, and mental illness will help me profusely as a licensed counselor, as I assume that I will work with many more cases than a school counselor.

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Introduction and Assessing Prior Knowledge

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Section 2: Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

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Section 2: Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

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Before completing this assignment, I thought that I had a good handle on basic mental illnesses. However, working through this reference guide greatly expanded my knowledge. Researching each type of depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use disorders, and eating disorders helped me to understand each illness better, along with identifying resources that will be helpful as a counselor. I will use this reference guide often as a counselor, as I will have clients that will struggle with one or more of these disorders. Having this guide will help me to have the main types of each disorder readily at hand.

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Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

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Section 3: Developmental Discussion on Trauma

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Section 3: Developmental Discussion on Trauma

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I found this assignment incredibly helpful and I will refer back to resources used often as a counselor. While researching types of trauma, I learned about the many types of trauma, and how counselors can help victims to recover. Watching the documentary with trauma in mind made me realize that trauma is something that a majority of the population have gone through at some point in their lives. Reading my classmates' notes and thoughts on trauma in their chosen documentary also opened my eyes to the vast array of ways that trauma affects people.

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Section 4: Psychological First Aid Online Certificate

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Section 4: Psychological First Aid Online Certificate

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This assignment was very helpful as a school counselor, as I often deal with students in crisis. Although the situations are not usually as drastic as the examples in the training, the emotions are the same, as are the needed support. I enjoyed the scenarios in the training that compelled me to think about the best ways to approach each person and what should/should not be said. I felt that this training should be completed by anyone who may encounter a person in crisis.

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online_Certificate

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Section 5: Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment

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Section 5: Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment

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I had the absolute best group for this assignment! Each member was so positive, hard working, and helpful! And this assignment helped me to identify risk factors and behaviors associated with domestic violence, and identify all of the agencies that can be resources for clients who are domestic violence victims. It identified screening methods, referral process and cultural competence surrounding the issue. There are many ethical and legal considerations to keep in mind as well that we identified. I will definitely look back on this assignment while working as a counselor, as I will most likely have clients that are domestic violence survivors. This assignment will prove to be a valuable reference to keep on hand.

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EDG 6332 Domestic Violence Group Project

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I felt that this assignment was valuable because it took a realistic case study and applied the steps of helping in the crisis situation. I liked how it broke down each step, from achieving relationship with the client, to breaking down the problem, then committing to action. This process really helped to identify steps that will be needed as a practicing LPC.

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The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics is a set of ethical guidelines that outlines the professional responsibilities and standards that all counselors affiliated with the ACA must follow, ensuring they prioritize client welfare and maintain high ethical conduct in their practice.

(American Counseling Association, 2014)

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1. Evaluate and identify the needs of the client to determine the advisability of referring them to another specialist.

2. Inform the client of your judgment.

3. Communicate to the person to whom the referral is made.

(OCCUPATIONS CODE CHAPTER 503. LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, 2015)

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American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. In American Counseling Association. American Counseling Association. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=55ab73d0_1

OCCUPATIONS CODE CHAPTER 503. LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS. (2015). Texas.gov. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/OC/htm/OC.503.htm

Statutes and Rules – Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. (n.d.). Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. https://bhec.texas.gov/statues-and-rules/

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Understanding a client's personal and cultural value, beliefs, and background is vital for effective therapy. Because the relationship between the counselor and client is so important, understanding the client's cultural context is crucial. The counselor should be willing to learn about the client's culture, beliefs, and values, and receive training where appropriate. The client will feel understood by the counselor, and will be more willing to share.

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The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council and Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors Rules contains information about LPC licensing requirements a frequently asked questions about the practice of counseling in the state of Texas (Statutes and Rules – Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, n.d.).