Melanie Burns by Melanie Burns

Education and Career

mabor11 — 2025-01-17 21:00:08 UTC

Hello! I obtained my Masters in School Counseling at ASU. I am a teacher in a rural district in Central Texas. After seeing the limits of school counseling, I decided to return to ASU to continue my education. I am in my last semester of the Mental Health and Wellness Program. I am so excited to be graduating in May. My plan is to become an LPC to help others.

Personal

mabor11 — 2025-01-17 21:02:01 UTC

I am a single mother to my 15 year old son. My disabled mother and grandmother with dementia live with us as well. To say I'm busy wouldn't express the craziness of my life. I enjoy keeping busy, so I just do my best to keep up.

I love traveling and as you might guess the beach is my favorite spot! I enjoy cruises, road trips, or flying fun places. I really just like to go!

mabor11 — 2025-01-17 21:05:47 UTC

My goal after graduation is to obtain my LPC-Associate and start counseling full-time. I am currently unsure if I want to go into private practice or work in an existing practice.

mabor11 — 2025-01-17 21:17:49 UTC

Professional identity is how I see myself in my career, including the skills, values, and roles that define me as a counselor. For me, it means always learning, practicing ethically, and making a positive impact on others. As a future counselor, it’s about helping people through their challenges with care and integrity, while growing in my role to learn new skills.

mabor11 — 2025-01-18 00:16:40 UTC

My son and I. He's always being silly!

Goal 1

mabor11 — 2025-01-18 00:23:07 UTC

I am still trying to find my personal interests and strengths to help me decide which areas of counseling to focus on. I am unsure exactly where I will work and what therapies I will use to best help my clients. I am working to become more self aware. I believe this will help me find my way and make decisions for my future.

Goal 2

mabor11 — 2025-01-18 00:26:28 UTC

I would like to learn more about professional development. I know that this field is constantly progressing. I hope to learn more about other certifications that will help me progress my skills and abilities.

mabor11 — 2025-01-18 00:38:34 UTC

I feel very unsure about my professional identity. I know how to perform ethically and with integrity. I have always worked hard to show these traits in every aspect of my life and career.

I have worked with middle school students for many years. Going into this, I thought my counseling career would focus on teens and adolescents. As I have worked through the program, I have become very interested in family counseling and the way these relationships affect these individuals.

I now wonder if I want to limit my work to a certain age. I'm unsure if it's better to have a specialty or just work to help anyone I can.

Strength and Weakness

mabor11 — 2025-01-18 00:47:13 UTC

I know that I am great at building connections and relationships. I work well with my students because I get to know who they are and what they care about. This has always helped me reach them when others cannot. This will be a great tool when working with clients.

I have been introduced to many different assessments through this program. However, I feel I have only gained a basic understanding without fully grasping any of them. I am hopeful to gain more understanding as I work with my supervisor after graduation.

mabor11 — 2025-01-18 16:17:19 UTC

mabor11 — 2025-01-18 16:18:31 UTC