# data[].attributes.body
Hello, my name is Sidney Carranco, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling.

One of my personal goals during this program is to make more intentional time for self-care, as I often find myself prioritizing others before myself.

My professional goal is to transition into a career more directly connected to the mental health field, where I can provide support and guidance in a counseling capacity.

At present, I work as a Program Coordinator in Student Involvement at my university. My role primarily centers on planning events that encourage students to become engaged on campus. However, I also oversee and advise a team of 13 student employees. In this capacity, I provide them with workplace guidance, as well as support in their academic and personal development.

Through this course, I hope to strengthen my knowledge and skills in counseling so that I can better assist my students, not only in their professional growth, but also in navigating challenges that affect their overall well-being.

I look forward to learning from the course material and applying these concepts in ways that prepare me for my future career in mental health counseling.

# data[].attributes.body
For my professional role, I have attached the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics (2014). This code provides the foundation for ethical and legal decision-making in the counseling field. It outlines the responsibilities counselors have to their clients, colleagues, and the profession, while also emphasizing values such as autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and fidelity.

As an aspiring mental health counselor, this code is central to my development. It guides how I approach confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, and cultural competence. Even in my current role as a Program Coordinator in Student Involvement, I find the ACA Code helpful when providing guidance to my student employees, ensuring I support them with respect, fairness, and integrity. This ethical framework will remain vital as I transition into a career more directly aligned with mental health counseling.

# data[].attributes.headline
Unit 1, Section 1: Introductions & Assessing Prior Knowledge

# data[].attributes.subject
Unit 1, Section 1: Introductions & Assessing Prior Knowledge

# data[].attributes.body
In Unit 1, Section 1, I reflected on my prior knowledge of crisis and trauma counseling and how my experiences shaped my initial perspective. This activity encouraged me to consider what I already knew about the field and identify areas where I wanted to grow.

By writing about my academic and professional journey, I was able to assess how my current role connects to counseling and where I hope to develop further skills. I attached my written reflection as the artifact for this section.

# data[].attributes.headline
Unit 1, Section 2: Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

# data[].attributes.subject
Unit 1, Section 2: Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

# data[].attributes.body
In Unit 1, Section 2, I created a reference guide for mental health disorders. This assignment allowed me to organize key information about symptoms, treatment options, and counseling considerations for specific disorders.

Developing this guide was useful because it gave me a practical resource that I can reference in my academic work and later in my professional practice. It also reinforced the importance of understanding mental health disorders in a clear and accessible way, which is crucial when providing support to students and future clients. I attached my guide as the artifact for this section.

# data[].attributes.headline
Unit 2: Developmental Discussion on Trauma

# data[].attributes.subject
Unit 2: Developmental Discussion on Trauma

# data[].attributes.body
In Unit 2, I examined how trauma can impact individuals across different stages of development. This discussion emphasized how a person’s age and developmental context shape the ways they experience, process, and cope with trauma.

Reflecting on this topic helped me connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. In my role with students, I see how developmental stage influences their decision-making, resilience, and coping strategies. This assignment strengthened my ability to consider those factors and reinforced why counselors must adapt interventions to meet the developmental needs of clients. I attached my written discussion as the artifact for this section.

# data[].attributes.headline
Unit 3 Assignment 1: Psychological First Aid Online Certificate

# data[].attributes.subject
Unit 3 Assignment 1: Psychological First Aid Online Certificate

# data[].attributes.body
In Unit 3, I completed the Psychological First Aid online certificate, which focused on providing immediate, supportive interventions during crisis situations. This training emphasized practical strategies for helping individuals stabilize, cope, and access additional resources following trauma or distress.

Reflecting on this experience helped me see how counselors can apply structured, evidence-informed interventions in real-time situations. It also highlighted the importance of remaining calm, empathetic, and resourceful when responding to crises, which are critical skills in both school and clinical settings. I attached my certificate as the artifact for this section.

# data[].attributes.headline
Unit 3 Assignment 2: Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment

# data[].attributes.subject
Unit 3 Assignment 2: Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment

# data[].attributes.body
In Unit 3, my group and I explored crisis prevention and threat assessment strategies, focusing on identifying potential risks and implementing proactive measures to maintain safety. This assignment emphasized the critical role of early intervention and situational awareness in counseling and educational environments.

Reflecting on this assignment reinforced my understanding of how counselors can balance student safety with supportive interventions. It also strengthened my ability to evaluate risk factors systematically and to collaborate with other professionals to prevent or mitigate crises. I attached my completed assignment as the artifact for this section.

# data[].attributes.body
In Unit 3, I applied the ABC Crisis Model to analyze the case of Melynda, a college student experiencing academic stress, family pressure, depression, and thoughts of self-harm. This assignment helped me understand how to assess crises across physical, emotional, social, and cognitive areas while identifying practical interventions to support the client. Using microskills such as attending behavior, open-ended questioning, paraphrasing, and reflection reinforced the importance of building rapport and validating the client’s experiences.

Reflecting on this assignment strengthened my ability to integrate theory with real-world crisis management. It highlighted the importance of holistic assessment, immediate safety planning, and collaborative goal setting. Applying the ABC Model increased my confidence in developing tailored interventions, supporting clients’ coping strategies, and addressing complex developmental and emotional needs. I attached my completed ABC Model analysis as the artifact for this section.