Formatting code for MylesClinicalPracticum
**__The C.O.U.R.T.S. Program__**
The C.O.U.R.T.S. Program, a division of the Buffalo City Court System, purpose is to assist people that have been convicted or accused of a minor crime who struggle with mental health or drug addiction problems. The C.O.U.R.T.S. Program connects these individuals, who are mandated by the court to seek help for their problem, to agencies that are able to lend a hand in their recovery or better management of their disorder.
**Week 1: (18 hrs.)**
June 1
Today I had a chance to see how this program works from the legal side. I spend my morning and the afternoon in court watching arraignments. It is the programs job here to watch for any people who possibly or are known to have mental health or substance abuse issues. A good number of individuals arraigned today f it in this category and were given referrals to report to the C.O.U.R.T.S. Program as a condition of their release.
June 3
Today I continued my look at the C.O.U.R.T.S. Program from the legal side. However, instead of watching arraignments I spent my day in Mental Health/Drug Court. This courts sole purpose is monitor the progress of the individuals in rolled in this program. These particular individuals have either been diagnosed with a mental health condition, suffer with substance abuse or have a combination of the two. So, to ensure that they follow through with therapy and other treatments it is necessary for them to attend court on a schedule. A missed therapy session, failure to take prescribed medication, or falling off the wagon can result in serious jail time for these individuals.
June 5
My morning was spent in court, again watching the progress reports of individuals in the program. I spent my afternoon however being trained to interview clients. The process involves asking the clients a series of questions that allows the interviewer to get contact information, legal information, mental information, and personal history disorders and treatment. Once the computerized questionnaire was completed the interviewer then made the client an appointment with an agency that could help them with their particular problem if they were a first time referral. If the individual was a repeat referral the clients information was updated and they were either advised to continue their treatment, sent to get a toxicology screen or after the interview the client was connected to a different agency that was better suited to meet their needs.
**Week 2: (18 hrs.)**
June 8
My training continued today. I watched actual interviews of clients. Watching three interviewers allowed me to see slightly different techniques that could be used during the interview. I also briefly learned about other types of interviews, which include youth referrals for troubled youth.
June 10
Today I watched a few more interviews in the morning. This afternoon I began, with supervision, to conduct my own interviews with the clients. My first client was an addict who was arrested on drug related charges. Once the general information was out of the way the interview reveal that the client engages in pretty frequent drug activities. I was able to connect the addict with an agency so they could receive outpatient drug counseling. The next three clients had similar stories, they were all addicts with drug related arrest who were referred to outpatient counseling.
June 12
Today I was on my own; I conducted interviews without any supervision for the first time. It was relatively easy day though, I spend the day doing outpatient drug counseling referrals. I quickly learned that you had to stick strictly to the questions to stay on track and proceed in a reasonable about of time to the next client. Everyone, especially the innocent ones, is willing to discuss their case to anyone they feel they can help them clear the matter up. You have to be able to gently explain that your purpose is to connect them to the help they need and that you are not providing counseling to them directly. Some needed a little more instruction then others. However, the day went well I had the process down and I had no problems conducting the interviews.
**Week 3: (24 hrs.)**
June 15
Today, for the most part, I continued to interview clients with drug problems. But, today was slightly different because I had to individuals who were arrested for DWI. These individuals had the same interview process but after being set up with an agency for treatment they had additional DWI classes and a victim impact panel to which they had to be linked to. Another worker informed me that Mondays are usually a big day for DWI referrals because there are a large number of DWI arrests after the weekend.
June 16
The clients I interviewed today were typical drug addiction referrals with the exception of one. This particular client was sent to the program because she had extreme anger issues. In a place where there can be quite a few of the people who you are interviewing that are not happy to be there her disposition was uniquely unpleasant. It was quite obvious why the judge had ordered she seek help for her anger issues. Though she did not blatantly disrespect me her demeanor and way in which she answered the questions made it apparent the she needed an attitude adjustment and would clearly be helped by an anger management program.
June 17
So far mainly all of the interviews I had conducted were with substance abusers or problem drinkers but that all changed today. Today I had my first interview with and individual who had mental health problems. They violated some condition were suppose to follow and was picked up on a warrant. They person was sent to the program to get re-linked to an agency for treatment. This person was clearly far of the ordinary and adamant that they did not know why they needed treatment. For the first time I was sure that this person needed treatment more than any other but was not absolutely sure that they would go get the help they needed. However, the appointment was made and now it is up to that individual to follow through.
June 18
Every now and then there is a client who just does not want to cooperate and today I had one. She was a drug user and prostitute who really did not want to be there because she felt she was set up by the police and did nothing wrong. In between every question, after she finally answered it, told me all about her horrible life. Usually you are not suppose to concern yourself with anything other than the questions on the questionnaire but I soon discovered that if I was going to complete this interview I was going to have to listen to some of what she had to say. She informed me of her infamous reputation for being difficult and how no one tells her what to do because she has been on her own since an early age moving all over the country. Honestly, I did feel sorry for her but realized maybe this arrest could be the way to the help she needed. Although, she was referred for drug use hopefully the counselor there will see the need for further services.
June 19
I did several interviews with people who had mental health problems today, there seemed to be a flood of people with mental health issues. One man came dressed in a very colorful outfit. He was a schizophrenic who needed a new placement. Despite his outward appearance he was fairly calm and pleasant to deal with. The interview went rather smooth. In fact the entire day went rather trouble-free. Dealing with the mentally ill was actually no more complex then dealing with the drug addicts and other clients in the program.
** Week 4: (24 hrs.)**
June 22
The clients today had a mix of needs to be met. There was this one particular couple who was arrested for assault on each other after a long night of drinking. I interviewed the woman in the relationship and it was amazing to me that she, as she sat there with a bruised face, did not see the role alcohol played in her arrested. She was referred to an alcohol treatment program but I had a feeling that she was not going to take full advantage of the counseling. The two seemed to be unaffected by what had happened last night.
June 23
Today while conducting the interview a client admitted that they were suicidal. This was the first time a person had answered yes to the question and admittedly I was a bit uneased and not quite sure how to handle it. I finished the interview because I did not want to startle the client and then politely excused myself. After talking to my supervisor, she explained that I had did the right thing by asking the specifics, as the questionnaire had prompted me to do, such as how they planned to do it, how often they consider suicide and when was the last time they considered committing suicide. She gave my further instruction to call crisis services and the individual speak with them. The people at crisis services determined the individual was not an immediate risk to themselves or others so they ended up just being referred to a treatment program for mental health and drug problems. I also gave them the number to crisis services and told them to call it anytime they were having those thoughts or felt it was necessary to talk to someone about how they were feeling. The rest of the day was uneventful.
June 24
Today I had another small scare. I interviewed who was a manic depressive and had been held in the holding center without any medication. The man was nice and calm during the interview but informed me that at any minute he could break. It happened that I was able to complete the interview without any problems. However, it was rather tense for me to sit there and conduct the interview knowing that at any moment the mans demeanor could change.
June 25
The client that stuck me today was a young man who was a Vietnamese immigrant with a drug problem. It amazed me because there was a language barrier, even with a translator, that he was able to obtain drugs at all. In spite of this he successfully purchased drugs and alcohol. It eventually became so much of a problem that he was arrested for stealing to purchase drugs. In was a grueling task trying to find him a place to receive treatment because no agency had a Vietnamese speaking counselor. In addition to that there was a client who had to be placed in an inpatient treatment program. Her problem was considered to be so severe that there was no way that she could be trust to receive treatment any other manor. After the initial interview she was passed on to a higher level worker that was prepared to connect to a rehabilitation center.
June 26
Fridays are usually calm but not today. The day was without incident but was just really busy. One client today had a combination of mental illness and substance abuse problems. His drug usage did not only make his condition worse it interfered with any drug treatment because when it came down to a choice of using drugs or taking his medicine he chose the drugs. His had to be linked to a specific type of program that would address both of his issues.
**Week 5: (20 hrs.)**
June 29
So far I had dealt with most of the different types of clients but today I had to do a new type of interview. I had a client who was a troubled youth and had to be linked to a program called The Heart Foundation so they could deal with their particular issues with included severe truancy and anger in addition to the delinquency. The day proceeded to be interesting. I had another client with mental health issues who had to be linked to an agency for treatment. However, this client could not be linked to just an agency because they were previously removed from another program because he had pulled out a carpet cutter on a staff. The client happen to be one who had been at the program several times before and after the interview I found out that he was known to have had violent outburst at other programs.
June 30
The day proceeded as normal with the exception of one client, one that I was not even interviewing but she helped me learn my lesson for the day. This particular client had mental issues and was upset by the fact she could not get a Michael Jackson CD. It was interesting for me to see that something so trivial could cause a person to have a break. After calling several times she eventually came into the office to before she could finally be reassured that everything was going to be just fine and she could go on without the CD she wanted.
July 1
The day was rather interesting. I was fascinated by a client who was entered into the program because of his drinking problems and mental health issues. He was a veteran who was a little demented. The problem was likely caused by a combination unresolved things that happened during his military service and the heavy drinking he was doing now. He was a really nice guy but could not seem to get it together. I was able to link him to a program and hopefully he will get the treatment he needs and be able to properly take care of himself.
July 2
Today was my last day, the interviews I conducted today were not especially different from the ones I did throughout the internship. I learned quite a bit from this internship. One thing this internship helped me with was how to communicate and interact with a client in a real world setting. It also taught me how to be firm yet gentle and empathetic at the same time. Lastly, it opened up a entirely area of psychology to me I had a chance to see one way in which psychology plays a part in the court system, a venue that most would think is not related to psychology.
The C.O.U.R.T.S. Program, a division of the Buffalo City Court System, purpose is to assist people that have been convicted or accused of a minor crime who struggle with mental health or drug addiction problems. The C.O.U.R.T.S. Program connects these individuals, who are mandated by the court to seek help for their problem, to agencies that are able to lend a hand in their recovery or better management of their disorder.
**Week 1: (18 hrs.)**
June 1
Today I had a chance to see how this program works from the legal side. I spend my morning and the afternoon in court watching arraignments. It is the programs job here to watch for any people who possibly or are known to have mental health or substance abuse issues. A good number of individuals arraigned today f it in this category and were given referrals to report to the C.O.U.R.T.S. Program as a condition of their release.
June 3
Today I continued my look at the C.O.U.R.T.S. Program from the legal side. However, instead of watching arraignments I spent my day in Mental Health/Drug Court. This courts sole purpose is monitor the progress of the individuals in rolled in this program. These particular individuals have either been diagnosed with a mental health condition, suffer with substance abuse or have a combination of the two. So, to ensure that they follow through with therapy and other treatments it is necessary for them to attend court on a schedule. A missed therapy session, failure to take prescribed medication, or falling off the wagon can result in serious jail time for these individuals.
June 5
My morning was spent in court, again watching the progress reports of individuals in the program. I spent my afternoon however being trained to interview clients. The process involves asking the clients a series of questions that allows the interviewer to get contact information, legal information, mental information, and personal history disorders and treatment. Once the computerized questionnaire was completed the interviewer then made the client an appointment with an agency that could help them with their particular problem if they were a first time referral. If the individual was a repeat referral the clients information was updated and they were either advised to continue their treatment, sent to get a toxicology screen or after the interview the client was connected to a different agency that was better suited to meet their needs.
**Week 2: (18 hrs.)**
June 8
My training continued today. I watched actual interviews of clients. Watching three interviewers allowed me to see slightly different techniques that could be used during the interview. I also briefly learned about other types of interviews, which include youth referrals for troubled youth.
June 10
Today I watched a few more interviews in the morning. This afternoon I began, with supervision, to conduct my own interviews with the clients. My first client was an addict who was arrested on drug related charges. Once the general information was out of the way the interview reveal that the client engages in pretty frequent drug activities. I was able to connect the addict with an agency so they could receive outpatient drug counseling. The next three clients had similar stories, they were all addicts with drug related arrest who were referred to outpatient counseling.
June 12
Today I was on my own; I conducted interviews without any supervision for the first time. It was relatively easy day though, I spend the day doing outpatient drug counseling referrals. I quickly learned that you had to stick strictly to the questions to stay on track and proceed in a reasonable about of time to the next client. Everyone, especially the innocent ones, is willing to discuss their case to anyone they feel they can help them clear the matter up. You have to be able to gently explain that your purpose is to connect them to the help they need and that you are not providing counseling to them directly. Some needed a little more instruction then others. However, the day went well I had the process down and I had no problems conducting the interviews.
**Week 3: (24 hrs.)**
June 15
Today, for the most part, I continued to interview clients with drug problems. But, today was slightly different because I had to individuals who were arrested for DWI. These individuals had the same interview process but after being set up with an agency for treatment they had additional DWI classes and a victim impact panel to which they had to be linked to. Another worker informed me that Mondays are usually a big day for DWI referrals because there are a large number of DWI arrests after the weekend.
June 16
The clients I interviewed today were typical drug addiction referrals with the exception of one. This particular client was sent to the program because she had extreme anger issues. In a place where there can be quite a few of the people who you are interviewing that are not happy to be there her disposition was uniquely unpleasant. It was quite obvious why the judge had ordered she seek help for her anger issues. Though she did not blatantly disrespect me her demeanor and way in which she answered the questions made it apparent the she needed an attitude adjustment and would clearly be helped by an anger management program.
June 17
So far mainly all of the interviews I had conducted were with substance abusers or problem drinkers but that all changed today. Today I had my first interview with and individual who had mental health problems. They violated some condition were suppose to follow and was picked up on a warrant. They person was sent to the program to get re-linked to an agency for treatment. This person was clearly far of the ordinary and adamant that they did not know why they needed treatment. For the first time I was sure that this person needed treatment more than any other but was not absolutely sure that they would go get the help they needed. However, the appointment was made and now it is up to that individual to follow through.
June 18
Every now and then there is a client who just does not want to cooperate and today I had one. She was a drug user and prostitute who really did not want to be there because she felt she was set up by the police and did nothing wrong. In between every question, after she finally answered it, told me all about her horrible life. Usually you are not suppose to concern yourself with anything other than the questions on the questionnaire but I soon discovered that if I was going to complete this interview I was going to have to listen to some of what she had to say. She informed me of her infamous reputation for being difficult and how no one tells her what to do because she has been on her own since an early age moving all over the country. Honestly, I did feel sorry for her but realized maybe this arrest could be the way to the help she needed. Although, she was referred for drug use hopefully the counselor there will see the need for further services.
June 19
I did several interviews with people who had mental health problems today, there seemed to be a flood of people with mental health issues. One man came dressed in a very colorful outfit. He was a schizophrenic who needed a new placement. Despite his outward appearance he was fairly calm and pleasant to deal with. The interview went rather smooth. In fact the entire day went rather trouble-free. Dealing with the mentally ill was actually no more complex then dealing with the drug addicts and other clients in the program.
** Week 4: (24 hrs.)**
June 22
The clients today had a mix of needs to be met. There was this one particular couple who was arrested for assault on each other after a long night of drinking. I interviewed the woman in the relationship and it was amazing to me that she, as she sat there with a bruised face, did not see the role alcohol played in her arrested. She was referred to an alcohol treatment program but I had a feeling that she was not going to take full advantage of the counseling. The two seemed to be unaffected by what had happened last night.
June 23
Today while conducting the interview a client admitted that they were suicidal. This was the first time a person had answered yes to the question and admittedly I was a bit uneased and not quite sure how to handle it. I finished the interview because I did not want to startle the client and then politely excused myself. After talking to my supervisor, she explained that I had did the right thing by asking the specifics, as the questionnaire had prompted me to do, such as how they planned to do it, how often they consider suicide and when was the last time they considered committing suicide. She gave my further instruction to call crisis services and the individual speak with them. The people at crisis services determined the individual was not an immediate risk to themselves or others so they ended up just being referred to a treatment program for mental health and drug problems. I also gave them the number to crisis services and told them to call it anytime they were having those thoughts or felt it was necessary to talk to someone about how they were feeling. The rest of the day was uneventful.
June 24
Today I had another small scare. I interviewed who was a manic depressive and had been held in the holding center without any medication. The man was nice and calm during the interview but informed me that at any minute he could break. It happened that I was able to complete the interview without any problems. However, it was rather tense for me to sit there and conduct the interview knowing that at any moment the mans demeanor could change.
June 25
The client that stuck me today was a young man who was a Vietnamese immigrant with a drug problem. It amazed me because there was a language barrier, even with a translator, that he was able to obtain drugs at all. In spite of this he successfully purchased drugs and alcohol. It eventually became so much of a problem that he was arrested for stealing to purchase drugs. In was a grueling task trying to find him a place to receive treatment because no agency had a Vietnamese speaking counselor. In addition to that there was a client who had to be placed in an inpatient treatment program. Her problem was considered to be so severe that there was no way that she could be trust to receive treatment any other manor. After the initial interview she was passed on to a higher level worker that was prepared to connect to a rehabilitation center.
June 26
Fridays are usually calm but not today. The day was without incident but was just really busy. One client today had a combination of mental illness and substance abuse problems. His drug usage did not only make his condition worse it interfered with any drug treatment because when it came down to a choice of using drugs or taking his medicine he chose the drugs. His had to be linked to a specific type of program that would address both of his issues.
**Week 5: (20 hrs.)**
June 29
So far I had dealt with most of the different types of clients but today I had to do a new type of interview. I had a client who was a troubled youth and had to be linked to a program called The Heart Foundation so they could deal with their particular issues with included severe truancy and anger in addition to the delinquency. The day proceeded to be interesting. I had another client with mental health issues who had to be linked to an agency for treatment. However, this client could not be linked to just an agency because they were previously removed from another program because he had pulled out a carpet cutter on a staff. The client happen to be one who had been at the program several times before and after the interview I found out that he was known to have had violent outburst at other programs.
June 30
The day proceeded as normal with the exception of one client, one that I was not even interviewing but she helped me learn my lesson for the day. This particular client had mental issues and was upset by the fact she could not get a Michael Jackson CD. It was interesting for me to see that something so trivial could cause a person to have a break. After calling several times she eventually came into the office to before she could finally be reassured that everything was going to be just fine and she could go on without the CD she wanted.
July 1
The day was rather interesting. I was fascinated by a client who was entered into the program because of his drinking problems and mental health issues. He was a veteran who was a little demented. The problem was likely caused by a combination unresolved things that happened during his military service and the heavy drinking he was doing now. He was a really nice guy but could not seem to get it together. I was able to link him to a program and hopefully he will get the treatment he needs and be able to properly take care of himself.
July 2
Today was my last day, the interviews I conducted today were not especially different from the ones I did throughout the internship. I learned quite a bit from this internship. One thing this internship helped me with was how to communicate and interact with a client in a real world setting. It also taught me how to be firm yet gentle and empathetic at the same time. Lastly, it opened up a entirely area of psychology to me I had a chance to see one way in which psychology plays a part in the court system, a venue that most would think is not related to psychology.
