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Hello, my name is Alyssa Hernandez, and I’m from Eagle Pass, Texas. I received my bachelor's degree in Education for kindergarten through 6th grade at Angelo State University. I’m lucky to be in my first year of teaching a third-grade classroom. Additionally, I’m a full-time graduate student in my final semester of the Mental Health and Wellness Counseling program. My career goal is to become a behavior analyst focused on children's behavior.

One of my goals for this course is to achieve a deeper understanding of the 5 W’s; who, what, when, where, and why, related to mental health issues. Gaining insight beyond the surface level will help me grow as an educator.

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The code of ethics for counseling is important in defining guiding principles and practices that promote the well-being of clients. It ensures that counselors maintain confidentiality and obtain informed consent, which are needed in safeguarding the rights and privacy of patients.

By obiding to these ethical guidelines, counselors create a safe environment where clients can openly share their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. This document sets clear standards that counselors are expected to follow, which helps ensure the delivery of high-quality services.

Ultimately, the code of ethics not only protects the client but also strengthens the integrity of the counseling profession as a whole, establishing trust and accountability between counselors and those they serve.

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The statistics about mental health disorders in the United States are truly eye-opening and quite shocking. Take depression, for example, it's a unique mental health issue that seems to be both overly diagnosed and, at the same time, frequently under diagnosed. It’s a complex condition that can deeply affect individuals in countless ways, and understanding that complexity is important for anyone in my field.

As a counselor, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to support those who are struggling with depression and other mental health challenges. Listening to their stories and being there for them is something I stand on business with. I believe that everyone deserves to feel heard and understood, especially when they’re facing such difficult times. That said, I also recognize how important it is to take care of my own mental health. This work can be emotionally demanding, and I know that in order to be a good counselor, I need to be in a healthy place myself. By prioritizing my own well-being, I can provide the best support possible to my clients. It’s all about finding that balance and being there for others while also nurturing my own mental health. After all, the journey toward healing is one we can all share together.

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Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health

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Data and sources about mental health conditions that are most common in children.

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https://www.mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences: Leveraging the Best Available Evidence. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences: Leveraging the Best Available Evidence. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences: Leveraging the Best Available Evidence. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Trauma in Childhood Greif

Upon reflecting on the resources from Unit 2, I have gained valuable insights into the signs of childhood traumatic grief. These signs include being overly occupied, reliving or reenacting the death through art or play, showing emotional or behavioral distress, and being easily startled. Furthermore, traumatic stress reactions in children encompass intrusive and avoidance behaviors, negative moods, and physical symptoms such as trembling, nausea, dry mouth, and difficulties with sleeping or breathing.

Effects of Traumatic Events Regarding Counselors

One significant fact that caught my attention was that the percentage of individuals in the U.S. exposed to traumatic events, whether directly or indirectly, ranges from 40% to 81%. Additionally, the website I attached resonated with me, particularly the information about counselors experiencing "trauma-related symptoms" or "first-hand experiences" as a result of absorbing their clients' traumas and responsibilities. This can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion, burnout, and in some cases, substance abuse, ultimately in what is known as "vicarious trauma." The resources also provided valuable strategies for counselors to navigate and cope with these challenging experiences.

Keim, J., Olguin, D. L., Marley, S. C., & Thieman, A. (2008). Trauma and burnout:

Counselors in training. In G. R. Walz, J. C. Bleuer, & R. K. Yep (Eds.), Compelling counseling interventions: Celebrating VISTAS' fifth anniversary (pp. 293-303). Ann Arbor, MI: Counseling Outfitters

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HH OKSOC Trauma Categories Types of Trauma

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Signs:

Being overly preoccupied with how the important person died

Reliving or re-enacting the traumatic death through play and/or artwork

Showing signs of emotional and/or behavioral distress when reminded of the loss

Withdrawing from important aspects of their environment

Showing signs of emotional constriction

Increasing in antisocial or delinquent behavior

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Assignment 5: Bullying: Crisis Prevention Plan and Assessment 

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Assignment 5: Bullying: Crisis Prevention Plan and Assessment 

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Group Project

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One of my goals for this course is to achieve a deeper understanding of the 5 W’s; who, what, when, where, and why, related to mental health issues. Gaining insight beyond the surface level will help me grow as an educator.

One significant takeaway from my readings of the mental health resources is that approximately 46.6 percent of adults in the United States experience depression at some point in their lives. This statistic nearly represents half of the population, yet there is only about one mental health provider for every 340 individuals in the U.S.

When reflecting on my understanding of depression through the quiz, I realized I had underestimated both the prevalence of depression and the associated service costs. In my future roles as a behavior analyst and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), this knowledge is crucial, as it provides insight into an individual’s mental state. This understanding enables me to reach out and support someone before it becomes too late.

I also came across an article titled “About Behavioral Health,” which discusses how behavior includes all aspects of overall health. It highlights the importance of our work, play, lifestyle, and learning, while also referring to our mental, emotional, and social well-being, which are factors that significantly impact our wellness.

https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/about/about-behavioral-health.html#:~:text=People%20may%20sometimes%20turn%20to,recover%20from%20substance%20use%20disorders.

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Assignment 2: Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders. 

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Assignment 2: Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders. 

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Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders- Alyssa Hernandez

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Assignment 3: Developmental Trauma: Documentary “The Menendez Brothers” 

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Assignment 3: Developmental Trauma: Documentary “The Menendez Brothers” 

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Post 1 through 4 are put into a Word document.

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https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/02/cover-threat

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https://txssc.txstate.edu/videos/bullying-and-the-law/

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Coping Strategies

Explore what client wants to do now to cope

Explore what client has tried in the past to cope

Explore other things client can do to cope

Offer alternative strategies for coping:

Support groups

Twelve-step groups

Marital or family therapy

Lawyer

Doctor

Bibliotherapy

Reel therapy

Assertion training

Stress management

Shelters or other agencies

Secure commitment and follow-up

Kanel, K. (2014). A guide to crisis intervention. Cengage Learning.

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Unit 3:  OUTSIDE RESOURCE : ABC MODEL GUIDE 

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Unit 3:  OUTSIDE RESOURCE : ABC MODEL GUIDE 

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Assignment 4: Psychological First Aid Online Certificate

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Assignment 4: Psychological First Aid Online Certificate

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online_Certificate - Alyssa Hernandez

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Unit 3: ABC MODEL: Achieve a Relationship: Developing and Maintaining Rapport

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Unit 3: ABC MODEL: Achieve a Relationship: Developing and Maintaining Rapport

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Attending Behavior

Eye contact

Warmth

Body posture

Vocal style

Verbal following

Overall empathy

Questioning

Open-ended

Close-ended

Paraphrasing

Restating in own words

Clarifying

A close-ended question that serves to clarify what the client just said

Reflection

Painful feelings

Positive feelings

Ambivalent feelings

Nonverbal feelings

Summarization

Tying together precipitating event, subjective distress, and cognitive elements

Kanel, K. (2014). A guide to crisis intervention. Cengage Learning.

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Unit 3: ABC MODEL : Break Down the Problem

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Unit 3: ABC MODEL : Break Down the Problem

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Identifying the Nature of the Crisis and Therapeutic Interaction

Identify the precipitating event

Identify cognitions

Identify subjective  distress

Identify impairments in functions: behaviorally, socially, academically, occupationally

Ethical checks: suicide, homicide, organic issues, psychosis, substance abuse, child abuse, elder abuse

Therapeutic interaction statements: educational, empowerment, validation, reframes

Kanel, K. (2014). A guide to crisis intervention. Cengage Learning.

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Part A: Achieving a Relationship

Attending Behavior

Questioning

Paraphrasing

Clarifying

Reflection

Summarization

Part B: Breaking Down the Problem

Physical- needs and issues

Emotional- needs and issues

Social/Relational- needs and issues

Mental/Cognitive- needs and issues

Part C: Commitment to Action

What steps does the counselee need to take?

What steps does the counselor need to take?

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Unit 3: Outside Research : Bullying Assessments

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Unit 3: Outside Research : Bullying Assessments

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Unit 3: Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online 

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Unit 3: Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online 

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an evidence-informed, modular intervention that helps survivors in the immediate aftermath of disasters, terrorism, or other emergencies.

Examples:

mass violence

public health

natural disasters

school based crisis

PFA is based on 5 principles

1. Safety

2. Calm

3. Connectedness

4. Self and Community Efficacy

5. Hope

PFA Deliverers

early assistances

faith communities

school personnel

public health officials

first responders

disaster volunteers

Ways to be delivered:

Phone / Crisis Hotline

Homes

Response Locations

Medical Setting

Community Setting

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The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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Includes a 6-hour interactive course that puts the participant in the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene. This course is for individuals new to disaster response who want to learn the core goals of PFA, as well as for seasoned practitioners who want a review. It features innovative activities, video demonstrations, and mentor tips from the nation's trauma experts and survivors. PFA online also offers a Learning Community where participants can share about experiences using PFA in the field, receive guidance during times of disaster, and obtain additional resources and training.

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Includes a 6-hour interactive course that puts the participant in the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene. This course is for individuals new to disaster response who want to learn the core goals of PFA, as well as for seasoned practitioners who want a review.

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ABC Model of Family Crisis

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Unit 3: OUTSIDE RESOURCE: Bullying as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)

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Unit 3: OUTSIDE RESOURCE: Bullying as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)

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Children who are bullied often face serious mental health issues, including sadness, loneliness, and feelings of isolation. Their physical health may also suffer, leading to problems like sleep disturbances and eating disorders that can persist into adulthood. This can negatively impact their academic performance and may even lead to a violent response  (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019).

Additional public health support:

Trauma-Sensitive Schools

Social-Emotional Learning

Mindfulness

Circle Discussions

Restorative Justice

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US Department of Health and Human Services

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Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)

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Bullying is a potentially traumatic adverse childhood experience or ACE that can have negative, lasting effects on a person.

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It is important to consider that anyone could have a crisis. There are various ways to assess and implement an intervention plan. According to Swan (2017), there are four types of crisis.

Maturational Crises - predictable transitions experienced by individuals moving from one stage of human development to another (i.e., marriage, adolescence, midlife).

Situational Crises - sudden and unexpected events that threaten physical, social, and psychological aspects of an individual. (i.e., injury, death, divorce, violence).

Adventitious or Social Crises - rare and unexpected events of disaster such as floods, fires, riots, etc. Social crises may include acts of terrorism, assault, and rape.

Mental Illness Crises - individuals who are living with a mental illness who face non-life threatening situations or stressors that may become overly difficult to deal with. This type of crises can lead to risks of self harm or harm to others, substance abuse, and psychotic behaviors.

A way to support this is by getting your Psychological First Aid Online Certificate, this allows you to be certified to help someone who is experiencing or experienced the immediate aftermath or disasters, terrorism, or other emergencies.

One crisis that I was able to go further into depth with is bullying. Bullying occurs when school-age children engage in aggressive, unwelcome conduct that involves a perceived or actual power imbalance. It is the abuse, aggressive dominance, or intimidation of others by the use of force, compulsion, cruel taunting, remarks, or threats (What is bullying, 2024).

Types of bullying:

Verbal bullying

Social bullying

Physical bullying

Cyberbullying

Racial bullying

Religious bullying

Etc. (many more)

Lastly, the ABC model allowed me to dig even deeper into the ways you could conduct an observation by tying in theories. There are so many factors taken into account when doing an observation. I have provided links and attachments to explain into detail.