Intro to Trauma by Nicole Lindsey

nbruce14 — 2024-02-12 01:23:49 UTC

My name is Nicole Lindsey.

I am currently in my first semester of the Mental Health and Wellness Graduate Program. I plan to
become a Licensed Professional Counselor to assist all ages with grief and traumatic experiences. My goal
for this class is to understand how traumatic experiences can affect a person's cognitive abilities and ways to cope with trauma. My professional goal: I would like to specialize in that area and learn different strategies and techniques to help each individual. Personal Goal: When my daughter was little; maybe in her teens, she created a bucket list with her dad. I never knew she created this bucket list until she passed away. My goal is to check off all her bucket lists items for her to honor what she never got to do.

ACA Code of Ethics

nbruce14 — 2024-02-12 01:35:48 UTC

I feel that most of the code of ethics apply to my role as a trauma and grief counselor. Specifically, section B (confidentiality and privacy) and section C (knowledge of compliance and standards). I believe the client needs to feel they can trust you before they will disclose any information to you. Aa a counselor, you cannot do your job without the trust of the client and respecting their right to privacy. Also, if I plan to specialize in grief and trauma, it is important to be competent in the area that is being specialized. These ethical codes are critical in the field of counseling to ensure the upmost professionalism and integrity of the field.

Unit 1 Section 1: Introductions and Assessing Prior Knowledge

nbruce14 — 2024-02-13 00:45:51 UTC

In unit one, I read through the all the statistics which validated the need for more mental health professionals in the field. The rate of people in dire need of mental health help has only increased and continues to increase. I had the opportunity to meet other classmates looking to work in the mental health and wellness field. I was surprised by the various levels and experiences we all had, and I hope to collaborate and learn from each of them moving through my academic career.

Section 2 Unit 1: Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders

nbruce14 — 2024-02-13 00:56:24 UTC

I enjoyed this particular section and researching the different types of mental health disorders. I felt like this section gave me an insight to the different types of disorders and how to differentiate between them. One disorder I thought was interesting is Bulimia Nervosa, because after researching the different types of eating disorders, I realized I suffered from that disorder in my late 20s and early 30s. I also liked the spreadsheet format for the reference guide. It is a tool that can be used to easily identify disorders in an organized manner.

Section 3 Unit 2: Developmental Discussion on Trauma

nbruce14 — 2024-02-13 01:12:24 UTC

I really enjoyed the developmental discussion on trauma and including a documentary along with the discussion. There were several documentaries I had never heard of before, which I plan to go through the list provided and watch some of the options listed in our assignment folder. In my original post for the developmental discussion, I used a book I have been reading for a book study with Region 15 to guide my post. The book delves into how the brain takes in trauma and the way it affects a person's brain.

Section 4 Unit 3: Psychological First Aid (PFA)

nbruce14 — 2024-03-05 02:13:50 UTC

I enjoyed this interactive training course to demonstrate how Psychological First Aid can help when disasters occur with the right kind of training. PFA essentially helps to lessen the stress symptoms and aids in recovering in a healthy way after a traumatic event, natural disaster, and public health emergency. I also found grounding an easy on the go strategy that anyone can utilize in a situation of disaster.

Unit 3 Section-Assignment 1

nbruce14 — 2024-03-05 02:14:38 UTC

Training Resource for PFA

Section 5 Unit 3: Crisis Prevention

nbruce14 — 2024-03-05 02:30:34 UTC

Understanding and applying how to create a crisis prevention plan was my favorite activity in the course. Crisis Prevention Plans are required in within schools-especially in the light of school shootings and the growing number of children being trafficked in the US. Having a plan in place to help victims connect with resources and counselors to talk to in order to process the events.

Three Rivers Counseling Association

nbruce14 — 2024-03-05 02:42:21 UTC

Texas Counseling Association

nbruce14 — 2024-03-05 02:52:54 UTC

TCA is a community of counseling professionals who join in membership to stay informed with resources, education/training, and community building the state of Texas. About - Texas Counseling Association (txca.org )

Local Support

nbruce14 — 2024-03-05 03:09:43 UTC

MHMR of the Concho Valley: MHMR Concho Valley – Mental Health and Wellness Information at MHMR Concho Valley (mhmrcv.org )

River Crest Hospital: Behavioral Health Center | San Angelo, TX (rivercresthospital.com )

Children's Advocacy Center: Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas, Inc. – Our mission is to ensure EVERY CHILD in our community has a safe and nurturing home. (cacgreaterwtx.org )

Family Shelter of San Angelo: familysheltersa.org

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) - San Angelo Office - Mental Health TX

nbruce14 — 2024-03-06 01:27:49 UTC

Sometimes it takes a village to help an individual. Through the networking of other agencies or providers, a counselor may want to refer a client out to a professional who has more experience in that field. The clients' needs should guide the referral process. Also, make sure the referral is client-focused and they understand how being referred to another professional is not a bad thing, but to help them meet their goals.