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Hello! My name is Hannah Brown and I am a candidate in the Master of Arts in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling program with an anticipated graduation date of December 14, 2024. Upon graduation, I plan to continue to work as an early childhood quality improvement mentor, coach, and trainer. In the future, I plan to continue my studies to ultimately become a licensed professional counselor and early childhood mental health consultant. I believe the combination of my undergraduate degree and experience in education and my master’s degree in mental health counseling, provide the perfect foundation to become an infant and early childhood mental health consultant. My why: The first three years of a child's life are the most critical period for brain development, with 80% of a child's brain development occurring within that time.

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Marginalized Culture Presentation-Mexican Culture

Description: A professional presentation that describes and showcases a cultural immersion activity I participated in within a marginalized culture, details outlining the experience, information regarding mental health and the effects on the marginalized culture, and the role of education to the marginalized culture.

Objective: To explore and better understand a marginalized culture that is different than my own and to reflect on the importance of mental health to the culture and the importance of education to the culture.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. Then I researched various marginalized cultures and chose one based on my interest and past experiences. I participated in a cultural immersion activity, taking notes on the details and my thoughts and feelings of the activity/experience. After organizing my thoughts, I designed a PowerPoint presentation showcasing the marginalized culture I chose, details of the cultural immersion activity, thoughts after participating, the relationship between mental health awareness and the culture, and role of education to the culture.

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Personal Theory Reflection

Description: A paper on my personal theory of counseling and mental health. To summarize, “I am a firm believer that environments, whether positive or negative, contribute to a person’s ability to overcome problems they are facing. I believe we as humans, all begin life with the potential to create the life we choose, but the environment in which one is surrounded by, heavily influences the beliefs, decisions, and ultimately the trajectory of that person’s life.”

Objective: To explore, research, and reflect on my own personal theory regarding counseling theories and if humans truly have the ability to change.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. Then I conducted research on various counseling theories and reflected on questions such as, “Do humans really have the ability to change? Can people change who they are?, What needs to occur for behavioral change to happen?” Based on the research conducted and personal reflection, I formed a thorough analysis of my own personal theory of counseling.

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Developmental Autobiography

Description: An autobiography on the life of Hannah Brown through the lens of different human developmental domains. Examples are presented on the physical, psychological, social, and cognitive developmental changes that have occurred throughout my lifespan.

Objective: To walk the reader through the different developmental domains of human development using real-life examples from my life.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. Then I conducted research on the different developmental domains of human development. I reflected upon various examples of physical, psychological, social, and cognitive developmental changes that have occurred throughout my current existence.

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Self Reflection: Approach to Counseling

Description: A personal theory paper on my approach to counseling as I conclude graduate school and look towards the future of becoming a counselor. I reflect on myself as an individual and the experiences that have shaped who I am and how these experiences will make me a better counselor.

Objective: To reflect on the experiences and relationships that have helped shape who I am today and the future counselor I will become.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. I reflected on the experiences and relationships that have helped shape who I am today. I examined myself as three separate individuals: anxious childhood Hannah, married abused Hannah, and divorced strong independent Hannah and examined how the events of my life will help me to be a better counselor.

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Help Us Grow! Group Counseling Padlet https://padlet.com/hstokes21/help-us-grow-tuszxopnh5kr97v0

Description: A Padlet presenting information regarding the Help Us Grow! Support group for parents/caregivers of children ages 0-5 with a developmental delay or disability. The Padlet showcases the action plan for these group counseling sessions, ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors, how it will be publicized, pre-group planning and screening information, guidelines and ground rules for attending the group counseling sessions, informed consent, type of group and group dynamics, and the leadership style of the leadership team.

Objective: To create a real-life example of group counseling sessions that I could lead as a future counselor. Objectives include creating a detailed group action plan consisting of student learning outcomes, group logistics, lesson topics, lesson objectives and key points, risks and safety issues, implementation procedures, and plans for evaluation. The purpose of the information in the Padlet is to be able to effectively plan and implement a series of group counseling sessions from start to finish.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. My first plan of action was to decide what type of group counseling sessions I would like to conduct. Once I determined there was a need for supporting families of children with disabilities birth to age five, I devised a group action plan outlining the details of the group such as: learning outcomes, group logistics, six lesson plans that included objectives and key points, risks and safety issues regarding the type of group sessions, implementation procedures, and finally a plan for evaluating the effectiveness of conducting the sessions. As I planned for the group counseling sessions, it was also important to review and learn the ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors (the standards that describe

the knowledge, attitudes and skills students need to achieve academic success, college and career readiness and social/emotional development). I also reviewed and educated myself on the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics (the legal and ethical standards I am to uphold as a future counselor). Additional planning included how I planned to publicize the group counseling sessions, a pre-group planning and screening process, establishing guidelines and ground rules for group therapy, how I would obtain informed consent, the group dynamics, my preferred leadership style as I led the group, and therapeutic factors to consider for optimal group learning.

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EDG 6332 Introduction to Crisis, Trauma, and Mental Health Concerns

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EDG 6332 Introduction to Crisis, Trauma, and Mental Health Concerns

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Crisis and Trauma Resource Padlet

https://padlet.com/hstokes21/crisis-and-trauma-resource-padlet-dpisxscbmcdu7i6i

Description: A Padlet encompassing the completed assignments and projects from EDG 6332 Introduction to Crisis, Trauma, and Mental Health Concerns. The Padlet showcases information about me, my prior knowledge of mental health concerns, future plans upon graduation, and relevance of learning about mental health concerns, crisis’s and trauma related to my future role as a counselor. The Padlet contains a comprehensive reference guide of mental health disorders and resources that will be applicable and extremely helpful in my future role as a counselor. The Padlet also continues a group project on domestic violence including a crisis prevention and threat assessment, helpful mental health resources and websites, trauma resources and websites, mental health resources and phone numbers for mental health support for the Concho Valley region, my psychological first aid certificate with description, an ABC model for crisis intervention assignment outlining a real-life exercise to help prepare me for future clients/situations I may face, and what cultural competency in mental health means to me.

For the purpose of the capstone project, I will use the Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders assignment. The spreadsheet is a very practical tool I will be able to use in my future work with clients and their families. It will serve as a quick reference guide (with an ample amount of information and research already conducted), should I need to refresh my memory regarding a wide array of mental health disorder facts.

Objective: To conduct thorough research and gather evidence regarding the definition, cause, early intervention information, and various sub-categories regarding five common mental health disorders: depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance abuse, and eating disorders. The tool will serve as a complete reference guide to review in my work with future clients.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. Using the template provided, I conducted in-depth research to form a comprehensive definition of each of the five mental health disorders presented: depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance abuse, and eating disorders, citing my sources as necessary. Next, I continued my research endeavors to discover causes of the disorders, the importance of early intervention for the disorder, research-based definition for specific types of each disorder, and I complied a detailed list of helpful resources relating to the disorder.

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EDG 6322 Introduction to School and Community Counseling

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EDG 6322 Introduction to School and Community Counseling

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Community Service Project

Description: A professional presentation (with audio) outlining my self-created and chosen community service project for future implementation. The Inaugural Concho Valley Baby Day 2025 is a local community service event encompassing a statewide celebration of the first three years of life hosted by First3Years, a statewide non-profit organization that supports the mental health of infants and toddlers and their families. The event includes community hosts, partners, and volunteers who will work collaboratively to acknowledge and celebrate our tiniest Texans by offering activities, sessions, and resources that engage parent and caregivers with their children to nurture foundational relationships.

Objective: To formulate a comprehensive community-wide service event for future implementation. The detailed information contained throughout the presentation outlines why the event is necessary to the community, the community partners spearheading the event, the event date, time, and location, information regarding the activities, sessions, and resources that will be offered, as well as, community partners offering their services and resources to families at the event. Potential challenges, financial obligations, and reasons behind hosting the event are also included.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. When formulating a plan for the event, I considered what community-wide needs were shown on a community health needs assessment conducted for the Concho Valley; improving access to mental health services and health education and knowledge. Based on my expertise of early childhood education and passion for advocating for infant and early childhood mental health, I planned the event around the framework of a state-wide initiative hosted by First3Years. The planned activities, sessions, and resources encompass on-hand materials and trainings I currently have in my possession as an early childhood registered trainer and resources from partnering organizations. The presentation serves as a platform to inform community members, stakeholders, and partnering organizations of the specifics of The Inaugural Concho Valley Baby Day 2025.

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Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant-Professional Role Development

Description: A professional presentation outlining my future professional desired role as an infant and early childhood mental health consultant. The presentation reviews what an infant and early childhood mental health consultant is and what they do, how infant and early childhood mental health consultation relates to counseling responsibilities, what other professionals (and local organizations) an IECMHC will interact with in practice, professional organizations that support IECMHC, and why IECMHC are important and needed in the field of early childhood education.

Objective: To outline and describe my desired future professional role in the counseling profession field. The presentation educates the reader on what infant and early childhood mental health consultants do, the details of the profession, and why IECMHC are important and needed in the field of early childhood education.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. Upon identifying what my desired professional role is (which I already knew), I conducted research to formulate a detailed explanation to what IECMH consultants are and what they do. I also conducted research and devised a thorough explanation to how IECMHC is related to counseling responsibilities, how IECMHC interact with other professionals and what local organizations would be involved, as well as professional organizations that support IECMHC and why IECMHC are needed and necessary to the field of early childhood education. The entire professional role presentation serves to educate the reader on my desired professional role as an infant and early childhood mental health consultant.

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Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

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Sharing Research-Conscious Discipline

Description: A professional presentation describing what I learned about research and what I will take from the research course to my future role, a topic I would like to research further in my field and why I chose the topic (Conscious Discipline for Educators), why this is a problem in the field of early childhood education, proposed research questions relating to Conscious Discipline for Educators, a summary of existing research around Conscious Discipline, my preferred methodology and an outline of my proposed research design, and how I would use the findings of my proposed research questions to contribute to the current practices in the early childhood/mental health field.

Objective: To conduct investigative research regarding a relevant topic in my chosen field of early childhood and mental health. The proposed research template and design will serve as an outline and foundation should I desire to conduct a full research project in my future role.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. Then, I reflected on what I had learned from Research EDG 6304 and how I could the information learned in my future desired role. I carefully chose a desired research topic based on relevant information in the field of early childhood education and mental health. I devised research questions related to my chosen topic of Conscious Discipline for Educators and reflected on existing research relating to Conscious Discipline implementation. Finally, I chose my preferred methodology for conducting research and created a detailed research design based on my research questions and summarized how I would use the findings. The details of the research design could be carried out in a full research project should I choose to conduct one in my future role.

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EDG 6396 Capstone in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling

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EDG 6396 Capstone in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling

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Professional Ethics and Dispositions Presentation

Description: A professional presentation that discusses each of the four candidate dispositions and the relationship between the professional dispositions and the Mental Health and Wellness Counseling Program student learning outcomes.

Objective: To understand the significance of professional dispositions and program standards/student learning outcomes to the professional role and professional setting.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. Then I read and reviewed the four candidate dispositions and the points listed under each disposition as well as the Mental Health and Wellness Counseling Program student learning outcomes. After organizing my thoughts, I designed a PowerPoint presentation listing the student learning outcomes, each disposition and the points listed under each one, and re-stated the disposition in my own words, how it relates to the student learning outcomes, and how each disposition is applicable to my every day life experiences. I also created a fifth disposition that is important to the current work and future work I will do. I believe I applied critical thinking skills to produce a high-quality presentation.

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Capstone Conclusion- "It's not goodbye, but see you later."

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Capstone Conclusion- "It's not goodbye, but see you later."

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Capstone in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling Conclusion

Description: A professional reflective conclusion paper summarizing my future career goals and how I will contribute to the profession.

Objective: To reflect upon my time and work completed in the Master of Arts in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling Program and describe how I plan to contribute to the helping profession.

Approach to Learning: First, I carefully read the instructions to understand the assignment. Then, I reflected on my past education and career experiences, my present education and career experiences, and the goal for my future as an infant and early childhood mental health consultant and the impact I will make to our most vulnerable population.