Kadeja Alexander by Kadeja Alexander - Student

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 02:44:10 UTC

Hello! I'm currently in the LGBTQ, Trauma, and LPCC specializations. I started PO in Spring 2024.

From where?

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 02:45:52 UTC

I was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. I'm #5 in my 7 sibling group.

Undergraduate and Masters #1

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 02:48:15 UTC

I completed my undergraduate and first Master's at a small liberal arts college called Prescott College in Prescott, AZ. My BA is in Ethnic Studies & Secondary Education.

I got lucky when the college offered an accelerated program where I can take half of my M.A. as an undergrad. I took advantage of this and graduated with an M.A. in Social Justice and Human Rights.

Moving to California

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 02:50:31 UTC

I moved to LA to complete a Ph.D. in American Studies & Ethnicity. However, I left the program in my 5th year due to illness, burn out, and not wanting to be an academic. I left ABD (anything but dissertation) with a Master's in American Studies.

I liked LA so much I stayed

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 02:53:29 UTC

I currently live in Hollywood.

Market research, ahoy!

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 02:56:26 UTC

After USC, I got a job as a qualitative market researcher. Even though I liked my company and market research, I didn't feel it was impactful enough. .If I was going to do something for the next 30-40 years, I wanted it to be impactful. It took two years to think about potential careers that fit this bill.

Why MFT?

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 02:58:58 UTC

It took two years of working and soul searching to figure out I wanted to be a therapist. Therapist fit a lot of my career goals, but most importantly it was impactful. Therapy changed my life so I wanted to return the favor.

The ultimate career

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 03:01:50 UTC

I'm in the trauma, LGBTQ, and LPCC specializations. My current goal is to become a trauma psychologist and art therapist. After completing my MFT, I plan to get board certified in art therapy. After that, I plan to get my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. PO works perfectly since it focuses on trauma!

Future clients

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 03:05:26 UTC

I'm not sure of which population I want to work with yet, but I'm leaning towards those who experienced concurrent childhood trauma, both in the past and the present (so, actual children). LGBTQ are heavily effected by this, hence the LGBTQ specialization. I plan to work with BIPOC as well, and I'm already prepared to do that in regards to my two Master's. Other trainings I'm interested in is Play Therapy, LEGO therapy, Sandplay therapy, Clay field therapy, and financial therapy

The youngest kitty: Asami

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 03:11:52 UTC

I have 3 adorable cats. This is my youngest cat, Asami. She's small but can scream really loud. She's the baby of my apartment and knows it.

The second cat: Bo

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 03:12:59 UTC

This is my second cat and Asami's half brother, Bo. He was born with glaucoma and had his eye removed as a baby. He may be the biggest cat but he's very empathetic.

The oldest: Korra

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 03:14:33 UTC

This is my eldest cat, Korra. She's 9 and average size but still looks like a kitten. She runs the apartment. I'm just there for food and pets.

To know about me...

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 03:18:24 UTC

I'm disabled. I live with chronic pain and fatigue. My asthma is currently severe so I may appear to be out of breath half of the time. So if I seem sleepy or annoyed or quiet, it's probably because I'm not feeling my best at the moment

Other hobbies

kalexander2_24 — 2024-08-27 03:22:32 UTC

In my free time, I like to read, write, draw, swim, watch TV, and learn foreign languages. I'm not good at any of them.

"Add what you feel is needed this semester to get ready for your first semester of practicum, e.g., what you will do or plan to do on your own and what you would like to get from the few times that we will meet during the semester"

kalexander2_24 — 2025-01-11 19:11:52 UTC

My first step is narrow down the list of practicum sites, based on location and start date (trying my best to start in the summer). The second step is to research and call for information from the sites on my list--I need to ask questions such as start date, population, etc. The third step is to, of course, to apply.

Right now, I need to prepare the questions. In addition, I'm taking additional online courses--Trauma Focused Expressive Arts Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy--for my own knowledge, and hopefully find a site where I can practice/learn more about these modalities (though it's low on my list of needs in terms of practicum site).

My ideal location would be a college.

"Also, include what type of practicum work you hope to do next semester."

kalexander2_24 — 2025-01-11 19:12:55 UTC

My ideal site would be a college. I worked with high school-young people almost my entire career so I fit well and know that population.