Personal Reflections and Insight

 This past week of internship was both encouraging and partially disappointing. I presented some of the Learning Plan objectives from SAC Internship 1 LP#2, to my clinical counselor. This was helpful because I stated my desire and intention to gain greater exposure and observational learning by watching some or any of our counselors at Pathways use our clinical assessment tools. I was able to sit in on 2 client intake sessions and watch the use of the WI-UPC and a BioPsychosocial session. This was great hands-on observation and understanding. In addition to this,  being present for part of the process of procedures involved with our agency's intake dropped another little piece of the puzzle into place.  The disappointment of the internship this week was that my clinical counselor left for a Hawaii vacation for the next 10 days. I will be reporting to another CSAC, which I have not interacted with much at all. I know her but have not shadowed or engaged with her prior to t...

 The text reading for the learning plan presented a unique way of looking at the profession I am  stepping into. If reflected upon and considered, my line of work as a Substance Abuse Counselor falls  under the category of a Human Service worker. I was so delighted that the text summarized and  attached many of the characteristics of a competent practitioner right alongside the many of the  attributes emphasized by the originator of Client-Centered therapy, Carl Rogers. His psychotherapy  modality captures my strongest leanings and beliefs. Some of his strongest tenants being, empathy,  unconditional positive regard, genuineness and warmth. I appreciated and grew from some of the self-awareness exercises we performed in this learning plan. Revisiting my Family of Origin and the challenging questions of my family dynamic was a refresher and also a deeper exploration of what makes me, me. How my childhood experiences shaped my beliefs, my thinking, and...