Yolanda Orozco

Program of Study- Masters in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling

Personal Goal- Be successful in completing my degree while collaborating with peers

Professional Goal- Complete my LPC-A hours by December 2028. I will then apply for my LPC license and practice outside a school setting. 

In this class I aim to learn to recognize and respond to mental health crises, address trauma, and develop and utilize resources in crisis situations.

I have worked as a professional school counselor for the past five years. Before that, I taught fifth grade for six years. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Leadership and Curriculum. Although I am a certified school counselor, I am eager to earn my LPC to expand my practice beyond the school setting.

This guide is a quick reference, providing concise notes about various disorders. It outlines the causes, symptoms, suggestions for interventions, and helpful links I can utilize. Although this guide took time, it established a strong foundation for my future practice. This information is essential for me as an LPC, as it helps with a good starting point to determine the best ways to provide support.

Taking the quiz on Mental Health highlighted for me the significant number of individuals affected by depression, anxiety, and various other mental health disorders. The lesson also informed me of the resources available through the Texas Counselor Association, which offers valuable classes I can utilize, including The Beginning of Healing From Trauma and Children’s Adversity class, which focuses on adverse childhood experiences.

Another type of trauma I learned about is childhood traumatic grief. When working with children as an LPC, I realized that their reactions to grief can be inconsistent and may differ from those of their peers. Understanding the bereavement process and recognizing that it may look different in children is crucial. I also explored organizational trauma, which can be associated with events such as natural disasters. Unfortunately, given the the increase of school shootings and other traumatic events in our world today, it is important for LPCs to be aware of how to support clients affected by these experiences.

Having experienced trauma myself as a child, I understand the significance of being prepared for clients who present with trauma and score highly on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scale. I firmly believe that all health professionals should receive training on the effects of trauma and effective assessment methods.

I can now effectively assess and meet individual needs with calm support. The Psychological First Aid course taught me how crucial it is for counselors to understand boundaries and manage distress. Thanks to this experience, I have developed skills in prioritizing assistance during trauma.

The Psychological First Aid (PFA) training covers several key areas. It focuses on how to engage and how to make contact to ensure safety, comfort, and stabilization. By gathering information about current needs and concerns, counselors can provide help with practical assistance, connections with social supports, information on coping, and how to get collaborative services. These areas are designed to assist victims of traumatic experiences immediately and promptly. Victims of trauma often have some needs that fall under psychical or emotional needs that must be addressed.

For the Crisis Prevention Plan assignment, our group researched Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Crisis Prevention. We developed a crisis plan that incorporates the lens of the mental health and threat assessment components. By thoroughly reviewing the plan and understanding the different components and protocols, the counseling team or crisis management team can use that they have an effective strategy plan in place.

The ABC Method breaks down the case, focusing on three main aspects at Achieving a Relationship, Breaking down the Problem, and formulating a plan for both the counselee should do as well as the plan for the counselor. These examples illustrated how the ABC Method can be effectively applied in practice.

The school counselor will support students with emotional or mental health issues throughout the process. The threat assessment team has determined whether further follow-up using the TEA protocol will be necessary to take further steps.

When a threat assessment is not deemed necessary, the counselor will support the student who needs help with coping or social skills. With parent permission, the counselor will provide individual 4-6 counseling sessions within the school setting.

Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disorders

James Morrison. (2014). DSM-5® Made Easy : The Clinician’s Guide to Diagnosis. The Guilford Press. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016, June). Table 3.15, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Generalized Anxiety Disorder Comparison. National Library of Medicine; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519704/table/ch3.t15/

Kapil, Rubina. "5 Surprising Mental Health Statistics." Mental Health First Aid, 6 Feb. 2019, www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2019/02/5-surprising-mental-health-statistics/.

CDC. (2024, October 8). About adverse childhood experiences. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html

Suicide and suicidal thoughts-Care at Mayo Clnic-Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). www.mayoclinic.org.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/suicide/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20378060

The Lighthouse Project The Columbia Lighthouse Project. (n.d.). The Columbia Lighthouse Project. https://cssrs.columbia.edu.

Zhu, P., Luke, M. M., Liu, Y., & Wang, Q. (2023). Cultural humility and cultural competence in counseling: An exploratory mixed methods

As a school counselor, I utilize legal and ethical codes to help guide and support students as I make difficult decisions about choosing the best and most ethical way to support them. The codes outline how professionals should counsel with integrity and fairness, enabling counselors to build trust and prioritize the well-being of their clients. Integrity is essential during challenging situations. By following these legal and ethical standards, counselors maintain accountability and professionalism.