# data[].attributes.body
2014 ACA Code of ethics. ACA 2014 Code of Ethics. (2014). https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

healthery. (2018, October 12). Mental Health Statistics in America (US) (Statistics, Facts, and Data). YouTube. https://youtu.be/aCyd_3zqkhY?si=6Y0RNZHqRv2d0Miz

Keeran, D. (2010, January 8). Counseling Skills. YouTube. https://youtu.be/aodrYDAo9xk?si=GEiGfj9Rv0JAzjLk

Knappenberger,B., & Bergman, L. (2020). The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. Netflix.

Retrieved from https://www.netflix.com

Mississippi Department of Mental Health. (2023, June 28). “This is for Real” - Crisis Intervention Team Training. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oYx5eA1PC0&t=1s

Phoenix Australia. (2024, December 1). What is Psychological First Aid (PFA)?. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOzuMIaxfek&t=1s

Symptoms. Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (n.d.). https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/panic-disorder-agoraphobia/symptoms

# data[].attributes.body
Cultural competence is an important factor of being a counselor. As a counselor you will meet individuals from all walks of life. Each individual will have a different cultural background. Some cultural aspects can be religion, ethnicity, language, and beliefs. As a counselor having cultural competence can help you better understand your client and understand the things they may be experiencing. When you have cultural competence you may be more better adept in helping provide methods and techniques towards improving their quality of life. Regardless of your differences, leading with empathy and understanding can help you work towards being a better counselor.

# data[].attributes.body
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: You may call this lifeline when experiencing suicidal thoughts, feelings, or crisis.

Veterans Crisis Line: You can also call the 988 number and pressing 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis line or calling 1-800-273-8255

ASU Crisis Helpline: Those apart of the ASU community can use this helpline at times of crisis or mental health struggles. 325-486-6345.

Local Non-Emergency Number (Taylor County, Abilene): 325-674-1300

# data[].attributes.body
The referral process may include seeing a health provider regarding mental health concerns you may be having, they may refer you to a counselor to help you find guidance through the issues you may be facing.

Another method may include seeking a counselor directly regarding your mental health concerns.

You may get referred to a counselor if you were involved in a crisis situation where other organizations may be concerned for your well-being.

During your first meeting your counselor may take an assessment to evaluate your overall mental health, safety, and well-being. After that they may discuss with you treatment plans and services that they can offer you. Once that is complete the client can decide whether they want to continue with the counselor on the plan they provide.

# data[].attributes.body
This video offered help towards how to communicate with clients. It helped me understand the direction to take my assignment but also gave me insight on how my career as a counselor may look. It gives me tips and direction towards how to lead and better understand what my clients may discuss with me. It gives us examples on how to clarify things that people may say and also how to reiterate what individuals may be trying to explain. It is an incredibly helpful resource towards being a good listener and communicator.

# data[].attributes.body
This assignment helped me better understand how to approach those in need as a counselor. Understanding methods to establish and build relationships with clients is a crucial part of counseling. This assignment highlights different aspects of creating rapport with clients in need and methods to offering comfort and support. It helps us initialize and break down the issues they are experiencing while also being able to understand the needs and struggles they are facing. It also gave me the opportunity to re-evaluate the steps the client and counselor both need to take to work towards finding methods and treatment plans to help the crisis they are experiencing.

# data[].attributes.body
This group project was incredibly engaging and fun to create together. I have taken several online courses in the past, and this is the first class that has had an online group project. The assignment was incredibly informative and helpful in understanding what a crisis prevention team is and the things that they do to help ensure safety and help for those in need. There are many factors that go into creating a crisis prevention team such as making sure to connect to outside resources, having a safety plan in place for those in need, and developing a procedure into how to handle situations while also making sure to follow proper legal and ethical practices. Although our specific assignment focused mainly on procedures in a school setting it gave me an understanding as to how to handle other crisis prevention teams in other organizations.

# data[].attributes.body
This online certificate program helped me understand how to provide care and support for those impacted by crisis or trauma. It taught me what individuals to offer aid to first, how to approch individuals, how to offer support to those in need, and the steps to take in order to meet their needs and help them recover from their experience. It was an incredbly detailed program that gave me guidance on how to handle those with different needs. Part of the training showed different scenarios and the approrpriate actions to take to ensure stability and comfort.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online_Certificate

# data[].attributes.body
This discussion board assignment was incredibly helpful in helping me better understand what trauma is and the different categories of trauma and how they can be applied to real people. Watching The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez broke my heart, I could not stop myself from feeling such a large range of emotions. It gave me a better understanding of how trauma can impact and change our lives. There were many different forms of trauma that I was better able to understand through the documentary. It also brought to light the importance of ethics and how protocals can be incredibly important when in a field focused on helping individuals. In the documentary, many mistakes were made by caseworkers and law enforcement officers called to the home. It shows the importance of properly documenting and investigating the issues that are made aware. In this case, the negligence of those involved caused the death of a little boy. As a counselor, it is crucial to properly follow protocals in place to make sure there are no signs that are missed. Although this case should have never happened, it did and it shed light on the issues our systems have. It makes me understand the importance of social workers and counselors and how much those roles can impact the lives of those they come in contact with.

# data[].attributes.body
In this assignment I was able to share things that I already knew about trauma and also the statistics regarding mental health. I was also able to get to know my classmate's a little better and connect with them regarding different personal experiences we have had. The assignment was helpful in helping me gauge what I actually knew compared to what I thought I knew. I was disappointed to find out how little I truly understood about trauma and the statistics regarding mental health. However, it gave me motivation to want to better understand these topics. As someone who has struggled with trauma in the past I want to be equipped with the right tools and knowledge to help those seeking guidance in my future career.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Introduction and Assessing Prior Knowledge

# data[].attributes.body
Through the reference guide, I felt as though I was better able to understand different Mental Health Disorders and how they affect individuals who deal with them. One important aspect of this assignment is that it shows not just the one's we hear about but it also makes us learn more about other disorders associated with the more common diagnosed disorders. When we educate ourselves on the importance of awareness and warning signs, we can properly provide treatment plans that will improve the quality of life for those seeking our help. Being able to understand the differences between symptoms can be crucial for clients suffering, so that we can avoid providing treatment that may not be tailored for their needs. Being educated on the topic can help us break the stigmas around mental health disorders and promote treatment and healthier coping mechanisms.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders - Princess Danna Mirua

# data[].attributes.body
The ACA Code of Ethics talks about many aspects of being a counselor and upholding proper ethics. Different points that the Code of Ethics dicusses is confidentiality, relationships between counselors, how to maintain professional boundaries, and many other aspects of becoming a counselor. When in a career that is focused on creating relationships with clients in a very personal way, having guidelines and ethics to understand what is acceptable and not in incredibly important. It gives you a base for building your careers and gives you understanding on how to properly conduct and uphold your client relationships

# data[].attributes.body
This Netflix documentary was a devastating watch, however it gave me so much to think about and reflect on. This documentary also offers alot of understanding to trauma and how people were affected after the death of Gabriel. I believe we can honor him best by working towards fighting for better protocals and making sure to uphold standards and ethics in fields focused on helping others.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez | Official Trailer | Netflix

# data[].attributes.body
This video was incredibly helpful for me when I was trying to understand how different organizations can work together to create a crisis prevention plan. Outside of a school setting, it can be incredibly important for organizations such as a counseling center or a police department to have a plan in place to handle mental health crisis in a safe and positive way. This gives me knowledge on how to handle crisis and what a crisis prevention plan may look like in my own future career as a counselor. Having a community approach can have a large impact on the recovery of individuals experiencing crisis, and having the proper training can help others feel safe and comforted.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
"This is for Real" - Crisis Intervention Team Training

# data[].attributes.body
This source helped me better understand just how many individuals are impacted by mental health. It gives me a better understanding of the issues we face, and helps me realize the importance of intervention and treatment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental Health Statistics in America (US) (Statistics, Facts, and Data)

# data[].attributes.body
This video helped me understand what PFA was and the importance of it before I began the program. It is a good informational video to share with others who may interested in taking the course. It taught me what PFA is and how it is conducted.

# data[].attributes.body
This source gave me a better understanding of how detrimental anxiety and depression can be. Both disorders are some of the more common disorders that many individuals face, and being able to understand what it is and how others may be impacted by them can improve my approach towards different disorders.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Panic Disorder

A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes at least four of the following symptoms:

Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate

Sweating

Trembling or shaking

Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering

Feelings of choking

Chest pain or discomfort

Nausea or abdominal distress

Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint

Chills or heat sensations

Paresthesia (numbness or tingling sensations)

Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)

Fear of losing control or "going crazy"

Fear of dying

Some people experience what is referred to as limited-symptom panic attacks, which are similar to full-blown panic attacks but consist of fewer than four symptoms.

Although anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms, such as a racing heart or knots in your stomach, what differentiates a panic attack from other anxiety symptoms is the intensity and duration of the symptoms. Panic attacks typically reach their peak level of intensity in 10 minutes or less and then begin to subside. Due to the intensity of the symptoms and their tendency to mimic those of heart disease, thyroid problems, breathing disorders, and other illnesses, people with panic disorder often make many visits to emergency rooms or doctors' offices, convinced they have a life-threatening issue.

Panic attacks can occur unexpectedly during a calm state or in an anxious state. Although panic attacks are a defining characteristic of panic disorder, it is not uncommon for individuals to experience panic attacks in the context of other psychological disorders. For example, someone with social anxiety disorder might have a panic attack before giving a talk at a conference and someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder might have a panic attack when prevented from engaging in a ritual or compulsion.

Panic attacks are extremely unpleasant and can be very frightening. As a result, people who experience repeated panic attacks often become very worried about having another attack and may make changes to their lifestyle so as to avoid having panic attacks. For example, avoiding exercise so as to keep their heart rate low, or avoiding certain places.

In the past it might have taken months or years and lots of frustration before getting a proper diagnosis. Some people are afraid or embarrassed to tell anyone, including their doctors or loved ones about what they are experiencing for fear of being seen as a hypochondriac. Instead they suffer in silence, distancing themselves from friends, family, and others who could be helpful. Other people suffering from panic attacks don't know they have a real and highly treatable disorder. It is our hope that through increased education, people will feel more empowered to discuss their symptoms with a healthcare professional and seek appropriate treatment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes at least four of the following symptoms: Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate Sweating Trembling or shaking Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering Feelings of choking Chest pain

# data[].attributes.body
Hello, my name is Princess Danna Mirua. I am currently pursuing my M.A. in Professional Counseling. One personal goal I have is to have better time-management, I have struggled with procrastination many times in my life and would like to avoid that during my graduates program. One professional goal I hope to achieve is becoming an LPC. My biggest goal for this course it to better understand how trauma can affect individuals differently, and how to respond during times of crisis.