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My name is Michael Whitaker, and I am a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling program. One of my biggest personal goals is to continue developing emotional discipline and self-awareness so I can show up as the best version of myself for my son, Logan. My professional goal is to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) specializing in trauma-informed, somatic, and identity-focused therapy for children, adolescents, and families.

What I wanted to gain from this course was a deeper understanding of how trauma impacts the body and mind, and how to respond to individuals in crisis with both empathy and structure. I wanted to move beyond theory and learn how to ground that knowledge in real-world situations, how to stay calm, present, and effective when people are at their most vulnerable.

This course has helped me integrate everything I value about the counseling profession: accountability, compassion, and the ability to see the person behind the problem. I see this Padlet not just as a class requirement, but as a long-term resource, a personal toolkit I can carry into my future work helping others rebuild safety and meaning after crisis.

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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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This first assignment helped me reflect on why I chose this field and what continues to drive me forward. I realized that everything I am learning in this program connects back to the same goal of helping people heal from trauma so they can experience real freedom. Writing this reminded me of the journey I have already taken, both personally and professionally. Working as a Qualified Mental Health Professional with youth showed me how much unhealed pain sits behind “problem behavior.” It confirmed what I have always believed: that when a child feels seen, understood, and supported, change becomes possible.

Through this reflection, I also recognized how much my own healing shapes the way I show up for others. I have experienced firsthand how defense mechanisms and fear can dictate behavior, and I know that self-awareness is where transformation begins. This course immediately felt relevant because it bridges that personal insight with professional skill. Learning how to respond to crisis and guide others through trauma is not just academic to me; it is part of my purpose.

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Unit 1 Introduction and Assessing Prior Knowledge

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Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders.

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Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders.

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Creating this reference guide deepened my understanding of the complexity of mental health disorders and the importance of early intervention. Compiling information from credible sources like the American Psychiatric Association and the National Institute of Mental Health reminded me how critical it is to stay current with evidence-based definitions and treatment approaches. I learned how interwoven biology, environment, and lived experience are in shaping disorders like depression, anxiety, and substance use. These conditions do not occur in isolation; they ripple through families, communities, and generations if left unaddressed.

This assignment also reinforced why trauma-informed care matters so much. Many of these disorders can be traced back to unprocessed trauma, and recognizing that link changes how I approach people in distress. As a future LPC, I want to be the kind of professional who sees beyond the behavior and into the pain driving it. This guide will serve as a resource I can revisit throughout my career, both as a reminder of the science behind mental illness and the humanity behind every diagnosis.

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Section 3 Developmental Discussion on Trauma. 

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Section 3 Developmental Discussion on Trauma. 

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This assignment helped me connect theory to real-life human experience. Reflecting on the ACE study and my own history reminded me that trauma is not abstract; it lives in the body, the mind, and the nervous system long after the event. The research showed how early adversity shapes physical and mental health, but what stood out most to me is that no checklist can fully capture the weight of someone’s story. Trauma takes many forms, and understanding that complexity is essential in treating people with dignity and precision.

Watching The First Wave and analyzing trauma types deepened my empathy for both clients and professionals. I saw how secondary trauma, burnout, and moral injury can affect even the most dedicated helpers when systems fail to protect them. It reinforced my belief that trauma-informed care must exist at both individual and organizational levels. This assignment gave me a clear sense of responsibility as a future LPC to recognize the signs of trauma early, create safe spaces for healing, and never lose sight of the human being beneath the diagnosis.

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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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Completing the Psychological First Aid course gave me a deeper understanding of how to respond effectively and compassionately to people in crisis. The training emphasized the importance of safety, calm, connection, and hope, four principles that align perfectly with the kind of counselor I want to be. What stood out most was how simple yet powerful small acts of presence can be. Just listening, validating, and meeting someone where they are can interrupt panic and start the process of stabilization.

This training also reinforced that trauma care is not always about solving the problem but about creating a sense of safety in the moment. As someone who has personally experienced crisis and helped others through it, this course gave language and structure to what I’ve learned through experience. It reminded me that the nervous system seeks regulation before reason, and that human connection is often the first and most powerful intervention. I plan to carry these lessons into every setting I work in, whether that’s with children, families, or adults in crisis.

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online_Certificate

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Section 5 Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment Reflection

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Section 5 Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment Reflection

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This assignment showed me how essential structure, teamwork, and preparation are when responding to crises. Developing the threat assessment plan helped me see how prevention depends on recognizing early warning signs, maintaining calm, and coordinating with multiple agencies to ensure safety. I gained a deeper understanding of how ethical standards, like those outlined in the ACA Code of Ethics, guide every decision in a crisis. The principles of duty to protect, confidentiality, and client welfare are not abstract ideas, they are real-world anchors when lives are on the line.

Working on the substance use component also reinforced how often crises overlap with addiction and mental health. I saw how easy it is for a person to move from anxiety to acting out if their needs aren’t recognized early. This project strengthened my ability to think systemically, communicate across disciplines, and apply trauma-informed principles under pressure. It reminded me that effective crisis prevention isn’t just about reaction—it’s about creating safe systems and compassionate cultures where people can be stabilized before they break.

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Crisis Prevention Plan and Threat Assessment_ Positive Recovery  (1)

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This assignment helped me put theory into action by applying the ABC Model of Crisis Intervention to a real-world case. Working through Steven’s situation forced me to look beyond surface behaviors and focus on what was really driving them—pain, abandonment, and unresolved trauma. It reminded me how essential empathy, safety, and structure are when helping someone in crisis. By identifying his physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs, I saw how every area of a person’s life can be affected when trauma goes untreated.

I also learned how powerful micro-skills like reflection, clarification, and summarization can be when used intentionally. They do more than build rapport, they create the trust that makes intervention possible. This project reinforced my belief that crisis work is about balance: staying calm and directive while still being human and compassionate. As a future LPC, I plan to use the ABC model as a guide for stabilizing clients, helping them regain control, and setting the stage for long-term healing.