Revision [943]
Last edited on 2006-09-19 04:48:54 by ProfBayerAdditions:
PracticumExperiences
Revision [942]
Edited on 2006-09-18 17:02:35 by KristenHammNo differences.
Revision [941]
Edited on 2006-09-18 17:01:33 by KristenHammAdditions:
Hi am a junior majoring in Psychology, minoring in Clinical Counseling and Women Studies. I am currently taking Drugs and Behavior with Dr. Noonan along with Bio Psychology of Stress with Dr. Putnam, both great courses, very interesting. Over the summer I did my clinical counseling practicum at the Syracuse Behavioral Center (a rehab center for those who are drug dependent). I have more information about my experience through e-mails I had wrote to Dr. Sanders. Below are the e-mails I have sent:
E-mail # 1: I started my internship this past week starting on May 15th, at the Syracuse Behavioral Center here in Syracuse. I go to the center Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-3:30pm every week. When I first went on Monday, Kathi Meadows the head of the out patient facility paired my up with a counselor named Larry Kent who I will be working with and shadowing all throughout my practicum. He is a super guy, he is middle aged and very laid back he has been a counselor for about thirty years at correctional centers and now at the behavioral center.
During the morning on Monday when I was there it was alot of introduction about what I would be doing and background information about the center. The center for outpatient, where I am working is basically for individuals who are either on parole or on an agreement with court called treatment court which forces them to go to this center so they don't have to go to jail. All the clients that are enrolled in the center have a substance abuse problem, the problem may be with; cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc. They may have other problems such as violence on top of the drug problem however in order to be admitted they need to have some sort of drug problem. There are about twenty counselors at the center each specializing in different areas in relation to the substance abuse. For example; there is a counselor who helps with family dynamics, one who addresses women issues, one who deals with health and nutrition, another with anger management etc. There is both group sessions and individual counsultation for each client.
Since they are at the center for legal purposes it is required for them to attend the group sessions and individual consultations that their counselor sets up for them. Each client when first arriving at the center is paired up with a counselor and the counselor arranges the specific program they will be taking part in, in order to satisfy the parole officer or court's request.
Larry the counselor that I work with deals with clients who are part of a program called High Intensity Out Patient Program which meets three times a week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this is one of the more strictor programs. In addition they are to meet with him once a month on a one- on one to discuss specific issues.
So the Monday I went, they reviewed like I said what I will be doing which is definitely alot!!! In the mornings I will be doing certain paper work such as doing discharges and certain court papers that are required for some clients. Also, if someone calls that is a new patient you perform a hotline call where you take down all the information about the client (drug use, personal circumstances etc.) In addition we usually have around 2 individual sessions in the morning with the clients that are in his group session in the afternoon. Monday I sat in on two individual consultations and observed the 45 minute session, of course he had to ask if it was alright that I sit in and they seemed to have no problem with it. He basically covers 7 areas throughout the session that vary depending on what the client talks about but generally the topics to work off of are; addiction/absitnence ( how they are handling the drug addiction), health and nutrition, social/interpersonal. martital/family, Education/vocational, emotional/behavorial, and legal and Social Services.
During the afternoon we have a group session 1-3pm, the same people come to the group session on the Monday and Wednesdays therefore I will be able to and already have started getting to know and forming relationships with the clients. The group sessions are a combination of education about drugs and additiction and certain areas surrounding drug abuse and dependency. IN addtion to the education part we talk and disscuss as a group any problems or issues they might be having, and everyone is able to respond and provide their input.
Wednesday I helped Larry do certain paper work including a discharge for one of our patients what I have enclosed at the bottom of the e-mail. I then listened to a hot line call that Larry had made so I will be able to do one myself eventually. Also. we had an individual consultation that I was acutally able to facilitate part of it with Larry's help. THe group session in the afternoon as well I was able to take more of a part in on Wednesday which was great. It seems that I will be getting alot of experience, this week I hope to be able to sit in on an assessment of a patient. There is so much more to tell you that I have learned here at the center I'm anxious to see what will happen this week.
E-Mail #2: Just checking in with you on how my practicum is going. This past week we had our normal group that comes in on Mondays and Wednesday from 1-3pm where we discussed their living environments and how they are either helping or not helping with their recovery, the other session was about fear and how they are dealing with this emotion exspecially when they are trying to stay abstinent from their drug of choice.
On Wednesday I was able to actually sit in on a walk in patient that wanted to get help voluntarily. I observed Larry (the counselor I shadow) ask questions and get the adequate information to help out the person who will be doing her assessment so she can begin the program as soon as possible.
In addtion to the group session me and Larry facilitate I also help him with the paper work that is necessary for parole officers and the state. I also have been working on treatment plans with a couple new clients that have joined our group this past week. I do some filing too to futher understand where everything as far as paper work goes in each clients file.
This week I go in again on Monday and Wednesday
this is Kristen Hamm updating you on how my practicum is going at the Syracuse Behavioral Center. These past two weeks actaully have been really interesting since the counselor that I am teamed up with was promoted to helping people that go to the facility find jobs. He meets with them and discusses how they can go about finding a job under the circumstances they are in. I have been sitting in on these one on one sessions as well as being teamed up with another counselor who holds group sessions as well as one on ones with helping people get through their drug recovery.
I enjoy observing both and am able to participate with feedback and assitance quite like Chris and Larry who are the counselors I am presently teamed up with. I have also done a couple asssessments within the past two weeks as well. They have me doing certain paper work as well such as writing out group and progress notes, which are remarks about the patients in group and in one on ones, I usually like to write the notes after the session so I look like I am paying attention to the person throughout the counseling instead of writing down stuff.
I have done two discharges, one who completed the program and for another who failed the program. Larry has signed me up for a couple seminars that they hold in the SYRACUSE area for counselors. the one he signed me up for which is held on Tuesday july 11th is about confidentiality and the extent of the relationship you are able to have with a client. He felt it would be good for me to attend there is another one the following week that i plan on going to as well I am not sure the topic of discussion at that one though yet. Hope your haveing a a good summer I will be updating you again to tell you how the seminar goes and the time at the center
E-mail #3:
this is Kristen Hamm updating you on how my practicum is going at the Syracuse Behavioral Center. These past two weeks actaully have been really interesting since the counselor that I am teamed up with was promoted to helping people that go to the facility find jobs. He meets with them and discusses how they can go about finding a job under the circumstances they are in. I have been sitting in on these one on one sessions as well as being teamed up with another counselor who holds group sessions as well as one on ones with helping people get through their drug recovery.
I enjoy observing both and am able to participate with feedback and assitance quite like Chris and Larry who are the counselors I am presently teamed up with. I have also done a couple asssessments within the past two weeks as well. They have me doing certain paper work as well such as writing out group and progress notes, which are remarks about the patients in group and in one on ones, I usually like to write the notes after the session so I look like I am paying attention to the person throughout the counseling instead of writing down stuff.
I have done two discharges, one who completed the program and for another who failed the program. Larry has signed me up for a couple seminars that they hold in the SYRACUSE area for counselors. the one he signed me up for which is held on Tuesday july 11th is about confidentiality and the extent of the relationship you are able to have with a client. He felt it would be good for me to attend there is another one the following week that i plan on going to as well I am not sure the topic of discussion at that one though yet. Hope your haveing a a good summer I will be updating you again to tell you how the seminar goes and the time at the center
E-mail # 4: I am just updating with how things are going, I was curious if you have gotten my few e-mails prior to this one. I have been going thus far since the last week of May 2 days a week for about 6 hours each day. I think I have already reached the amount hours I need but I am continuing to go because the counselor I have been shadowing has gone on vacation for the next few weeks and he has asked me to actually take over the two groups we do together since I know the clients so well, there is another counselor that is helping me but I have done alot of the work due to my familarity with the group. One of the groups is called Higher Purpose where we look greatly at their thinking and why they think and act the way they do. Its alot of processing on thier part also to loook at their thinking and actions and eventually concequences. The other group I have been doing is a vocational group where I help them figure out what would interest them in pursuing as a job so they would be able to make a living for themselves and fmaily. WE discuss the importance of providing for oneself and family and then we go about filling out applications etc.
I really enjoy both groups and have gotten to know the people in each one, they have become to trust me and have confidence with what I say. I personally have gained confidence since frist starting to join the group.
In addition to the group sessions I do the group notes after each group. Paper work is done on a regular basis as well such as treatment plans, filing and discharges. I basically do whatever needs to be done it changes each time I go in which is a good thing because I never get bored.
E-mail # 1: I started my internship this past week starting on May 15th, at the Syracuse Behavioral Center here in Syracuse. I go to the center Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-3:30pm every week. When I first went on Monday, Kathi Meadows the head of the out patient facility paired my up with a counselor named Larry Kent who I will be working with and shadowing all throughout my practicum. He is a super guy, he is middle aged and very laid back he has been a counselor for about thirty years at correctional centers and now at the behavioral center.
During the morning on Monday when I was there it was alot of introduction about what I would be doing and background information about the center. The center for outpatient, where I am working is basically for individuals who are either on parole or on an agreement with court called treatment court which forces them to go to this center so they don't have to go to jail. All the clients that are enrolled in the center have a substance abuse problem, the problem may be with; cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc. They may have other problems such as violence on top of the drug problem however in order to be admitted they need to have some sort of drug problem. There are about twenty counselors at the center each specializing in different areas in relation to the substance abuse. For example; there is a counselor who helps with family dynamics, one who addresses women issues, one who deals with health and nutrition, another with anger management etc. There is both group sessions and individual counsultation for each client.
Since they are at the center for legal purposes it is required for them to attend the group sessions and individual consultations that their counselor sets up for them. Each client when first arriving at the center is paired up with a counselor and the counselor arranges the specific program they will be taking part in, in order to satisfy the parole officer or court's request.
Larry the counselor that I work with deals with clients who are part of a program called High Intensity Out Patient Program which meets three times a week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this is one of the more strictor programs. In addition they are to meet with him once a month on a one- on one to discuss specific issues.
So the Monday I went, they reviewed like I said what I will be doing which is definitely alot!!! In the mornings I will be doing certain paper work such as doing discharges and certain court papers that are required for some clients. Also, if someone calls that is a new patient you perform a hotline call where you take down all the information about the client (drug use, personal circumstances etc.) In addition we usually have around 2 individual sessions in the morning with the clients that are in his group session in the afternoon. Monday I sat in on two individual consultations and observed the 45 minute session, of course he had to ask if it was alright that I sit in and they seemed to have no problem with it. He basically covers 7 areas throughout the session that vary depending on what the client talks about but generally the topics to work off of are; addiction/absitnence ( how they are handling the drug addiction), health and nutrition, social/interpersonal. martital/family, Education/vocational, emotional/behavorial, and legal and Social Services.
During the afternoon we have a group session 1-3pm, the same people come to the group session on the Monday and Wednesdays therefore I will be able to and already have started getting to know and forming relationships with the clients. The group sessions are a combination of education about drugs and additiction and certain areas surrounding drug abuse and dependency. IN addtion to the education part we talk and disscuss as a group any problems or issues they might be having, and everyone is able to respond and provide their input.
Wednesday I helped Larry do certain paper work including a discharge for one of our patients what I have enclosed at the bottom of the e-mail. I then listened to a hot line call that Larry had made so I will be able to do one myself eventually. Also. we had an individual consultation that I was acutally able to facilitate part of it with Larry's help. THe group session in the afternoon as well I was able to take more of a part in on Wednesday which was great. It seems that I will be getting alot of experience, this week I hope to be able to sit in on an assessment of a patient. There is so much more to tell you that I have learned here at the center I'm anxious to see what will happen this week.
E-Mail #2: Just checking in with you on how my practicum is going. This past week we had our normal group that comes in on Mondays and Wednesday from 1-3pm where we discussed their living environments and how they are either helping or not helping with their recovery, the other session was about fear and how they are dealing with this emotion exspecially when they are trying to stay abstinent from their drug of choice.
On Wednesday I was able to actually sit in on a walk in patient that wanted to get help voluntarily. I observed Larry (the counselor I shadow) ask questions and get the adequate information to help out the person who will be doing her assessment so she can begin the program as soon as possible.
In addtion to the group session me and Larry facilitate I also help him with the paper work that is necessary for parole officers and the state. I also have been working on treatment plans with a couple new clients that have joined our group this past week. I do some filing too to futher understand where everything as far as paper work goes in each clients file.
This week I go in again on Monday and Wednesday
this is Kristen Hamm updating you on how my practicum is going at the Syracuse Behavioral Center. These past two weeks actaully have been really interesting since the counselor that I am teamed up with was promoted to helping people that go to the facility find jobs. He meets with them and discusses how they can go about finding a job under the circumstances they are in. I have been sitting in on these one on one sessions as well as being teamed up with another counselor who holds group sessions as well as one on ones with helping people get through their drug recovery.
I enjoy observing both and am able to participate with feedback and assitance quite like Chris and Larry who are the counselors I am presently teamed up with. I have also done a couple asssessments within the past two weeks as well. They have me doing certain paper work as well such as writing out group and progress notes, which are remarks about the patients in group and in one on ones, I usually like to write the notes after the session so I look like I am paying attention to the person throughout the counseling instead of writing down stuff.
I have done two discharges, one who completed the program and for another who failed the program. Larry has signed me up for a couple seminars that they hold in the SYRACUSE area for counselors. the one he signed me up for which is held on Tuesday july 11th is about confidentiality and the extent of the relationship you are able to have with a client. He felt it would be good for me to attend there is another one the following week that i plan on going to as well I am not sure the topic of discussion at that one though yet. Hope your haveing a a good summer I will be updating you again to tell you how the seminar goes and the time at the center
E-mail #3:
this is Kristen Hamm updating you on how my practicum is going at the Syracuse Behavioral Center. These past two weeks actaully have been really interesting since the counselor that I am teamed up with was promoted to helping people that go to the facility find jobs. He meets with them and discusses how they can go about finding a job under the circumstances they are in. I have been sitting in on these one on one sessions as well as being teamed up with another counselor who holds group sessions as well as one on ones with helping people get through their drug recovery.
I enjoy observing both and am able to participate with feedback and assitance quite like Chris and Larry who are the counselors I am presently teamed up with. I have also done a couple asssessments within the past two weeks as well. They have me doing certain paper work as well such as writing out group and progress notes, which are remarks about the patients in group and in one on ones, I usually like to write the notes after the session so I look like I am paying attention to the person throughout the counseling instead of writing down stuff.
I have done two discharges, one who completed the program and for another who failed the program. Larry has signed me up for a couple seminars that they hold in the SYRACUSE area for counselors. the one he signed me up for which is held on Tuesday july 11th is about confidentiality and the extent of the relationship you are able to have with a client. He felt it would be good for me to attend there is another one the following week that i plan on going to as well I am not sure the topic of discussion at that one though yet. Hope your haveing a a good summer I will be updating you again to tell you how the seminar goes and the time at the center
E-mail # 4: I am just updating with how things are going, I was curious if you have gotten my few e-mails prior to this one. I have been going thus far since the last week of May 2 days a week for about 6 hours each day. I think I have already reached the amount hours I need but I am continuing to go because the counselor I have been shadowing has gone on vacation for the next few weeks and he has asked me to actually take over the two groups we do together since I know the clients so well, there is another counselor that is helping me but I have done alot of the work due to my familarity with the group. One of the groups is called Higher Purpose where we look greatly at their thinking and why they think and act the way they do. Its alot of processing on thier part also to loook at their thinking and actions and eventually concequences. The other group I have been doing is a vocational group where I help them figure out what would interest them in pursuing as a job so they would be able to make a living for themselves and fmaily. WE discuss the importance of providing for oneself and family and then we go about filling out applications etc.
I really enjoy both groups and have gotten to know the people in each one, they have become to trust me and have confidence with what I say. I personally have gained confidence since frist starting to join the group.
In addition to the group sessions I do the group notes after each group. Paper work is done on a regular basis as well such as treatment plans, filing and discharges. I basically do whatever needs to be done it changes each time I go in which is a good thing because I never get bored.
