Crisis and Trauma Resources by Cassie Pope

Section 1- Introductions and Assessing Prior Knowledge

cassiespope — 2024-02-13 01:34:12 UTC

Reflection

Prior to this course, I would have said that I had a good understanding of mental health needs. Being a school counselor, I work with students who have a variety of mental health needs. However, after taking the quizzes to assess my knowledge of mental health, I realized that I had no idea of the prevalence of mental illness. The statistics were shocking. I was also shocked to learn of the average age of onset of certain mental illnesses, and the lack of treatment received. As a future LPC, it is important for me to understand how common mental illness is and how undertreated it is as well.

Artifact- Intro and Assessing Prior Knowledge

Section 2 - Mental Health Concerns

cassiespope — 2024-02-13 01:34:45 UTC

Reflection

Creating the Mental Health Reference Guide was very tedious, but so valuable. I spent several hours researching different mental health disorders, their causes, the importance of early intervention, and the specific types of each mental health disorder. In my research, I came across many resources that will help me in my future role as an LPC. I especially found the "Helpful Resource" section to be useful.

Artifact- Mental Health Reference Guide

Section 3 - Trauma

cassiespope — 2024-02-13 01:37:25 UTC

Reflection

For this assignment, I watched The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. Before watching the documentary, I used the resources provided to learn more about the different types of trauma and their effects. I was surprised to learn of the different types of trauma, especially those that have to do with the workplace. In The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, I was able to identify several examples of different types of trauma, and the effect trauma had on those who experienced it. Finally, I researched therapeutic intervention approaches that are effective for treating different types of trauma.

Artifact- Developmental Discussion on Trauma

Section 4- Psychological First Aid

cassiespope — 2024-02-13 01:37:33 UTC

Completing the Psychological First Aid training helped me better identify needs and how to respond to those needs following a crisis. I appreciate how the training provided very specific actions to take. The training provided concrete guidance in the areas of making initial contact and engagement, ensuring safety and comfort, using techniques to offer stabilization when needed, gathering information to determine needs, providing practical assistance, connecting with social supports, providing coping assistance, and linking the individual or family with collaborative services.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (n.d). Training. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/training

Section 5- Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment

cassiespope — 2024-02-13 01:37:41 UTC

As a professional in the field of counseling, I will be called to participate in the development and implementation of crisis prevention plans and threat assessments. This assignment provided me with a thorough understanding of the legal requirements, mental health and threat assessments, at-risk behaviors, multi-agency collaboration, universal screening, referral process, and cultural competence and other considerations that go into completing a crisis prevention plan for youth and juvenile gangs. While this assignment was specific to the topic of gangs, it left me with a clear understanding of how to apply the crisis prevention and threat assessment process to any area.

Artifact- Youth and Juvenile Gang Crisis Prevention and Threat Assessment

Section 6- ABC Crisis Model

cassiespope — 2024-02-13 01:37:48 UTC

The ABC Crisis Model is a great way to respond to those who may be experiencing a crisis. Crisis intervention is important to prevent long-term problems from developing as a result of the crisis. The ABC Model provides concrete ways to establish rapport with the person in crisis, understand the specific emotional, mental, physical, and behavorial distress, and offer methods that will provide immediate coping support. My biggest take away from this lesson is that a crisis is not always a big event. Rather, a crisis can refer to any situation in which an individual is in distress and unable to cope (Kanel, 2015).

Kanel, K. (2015). A Guide to Crisis Intervention (5 ed.). Belmont, CA. Brooks/Cole

Artifact- ABC Model Scenario

cassiespope — 2024-02-13 01:58:10 UTC

Legal Requirements and Ethical Codes

cassiespope — 2024-02-13 01:58:54 UTC

The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics provides ethical guidelines for professional counselors. In my future role as an LPC, the ACA Code of Ethics will serve to outline my ethical responsibilities.

Referral Processes and Support Services

cassiespope — 2024-02-13 01:59:27 UTC

When supporting individuals who have experienced trauma or are experiencing a crisis, referral and/or collaboration with other support providers may be necessary. Referrals may be made to others in the counseling profession who specialize in areas of particular need, such as substance abuse, marriage and family therapy, eating disorders, or other specific mental disorders. Additionally, referrals to receive medical treatment may be necessary for some physical issues that are impacting emotional state, or when medication may be necessary. ACA Code of Ethics (2014) state that counselors shall make appropriate referrals when the needs of the client are beyond what the counselor is able to address. When making referrals, it is important the counselor collaborates with the new service provider to provide the best level of care in the transition of services.

When a client presents with thoughts, behaviors, or experiences that do or can result in a danger to himself or others, referral to emergency services is necessary. These emergency services may be suicide intervention, law enforcement, mental health crisis evaluation, or emergency shelters.

Referrals to other support services such as support groups, 12 Step Programs, or stress management groups may be beneficial.

American Counseling Association (2014). Code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=fde89426_9

Cassie Pope

cassiespope — 2024-02-13 02:45:58 UTC

Program of Study

Masters in Mental Health and Wellness

Personal and Professional Goals

A personal goal I have for myself is to always seek to be a lifelong learner. A professional goal I have for myself is to obtain LPC licensure and support others through a therapeutic relationship overcome problems and obtain optimal mental health and well-being.

What I Would Like to Get out of This Course

By the end of this course, I hope to have a clear understanding of the effects of trauma and how to best treat those who have experienced trauma. Additionally, I hope to be well-prepared to consult and provide professional development to help others better understand how to support individuals who have experienced trauma.

Cultural Competence

cassiespope — 2024-03-05 22:41:11 UTC

It is important to be aware of cultural differences and personal biases when delivering responsive services. The ACA Ethical Standards (2014) state that counselors should "gain knowledge, personal awareness, sensitivity, dispositions, and skills pertinent to being a culturally competent counselor in working with a diverse population." Becoming culturally competent is a continuous improvement process. The counselor must seek to learn from every interaction, consultation, and observation more about those different from themselves. The life experiences of individuals create unique differences and needs. Becoming culturally competent is critical to be able to support those different than ourselves without bias.

American Counseling Association (2014). Code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=fde89426_9

Bray, B. (2019). Multicultural encounters. Counseling Today. https://ct.counseling.org/2019/11/multicultural-encounters/

cassiespope — 2024-03-05 23:02:06 UTC

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