My purpose for seeking to pursue a doctorate degree is to enhance my knowledge of theories, research methods and assessment as it relates to psychology. More specifically, I would like to fine tune my skill set of executing varying concepts and techniques derived from theoretical discourses applicable to my work as a Psychologist and in so doing, obtain credibility within the field and among colleagues. I also believe, like Abraham Maslow in his theory of Human motivation, in becoming a lifelong learner and achieving intellectual self-actualization. I felt like my esteem needs were met through completion of a Master’s degree and am now compelled to aspire towards higher study; thus doctoral pursuit. Through my journey in completing a Master’s degree in Counseling psychology, I acquired internship experience and continue to obtain a wealth of firsthand experience within the human services field from years of working with students with behavioral, emotional, and social problems. While pursuing my Master’s degree, I completed my field experience at Family Continuity Mental Health Clinic located in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, where I was able to work with adults, children, families, and groups of low socioeconomic status who have experienced trauma of some sort at one point or another throughout their lives. Moreover, the individuals I worked with were largely disempowered, lacked insight on their psychological distress, were victims of social injustice and were mostly
De Arellano, M.A., Waldrop, A.E., Deblinger, E., Cohen J.A., Danielson C.K., Mannarino A.R. (2005). Community outreach program for child victims of traumatic events: a community- based project for underserved populations. Behavior Modification, 1, 130-55.
While there is agreement that trauma informed care generally refers to a philosophical stance integrating awareness and understanding of trauma and its ongoing impact on patients’ health and lives, there is not yet consensus on a definition or clarity on how the model can be applied in a variety of settings. The philosophical underpinnings of trauma informed care trace to the feminist movements of the 1970s (Burgess & Holstrom, 1974), and the emergence of child-advocacy centers and awareness and response to child abuse in the 1980s. In combination with the growth of research in combat-related posttraumatic stress after the Vietnam War, the focus then expanded to mental health practice, especially in the context of traumatic events. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, social work and mental health professionals began to articulate organizational frameworks for delivery of trauma informed care, as well as conceptual models based on scientific evidence about how traumatic stress impacts brains and behavior (Bloom, 1997; Harris & Fallot, 2001; Covington, 2002; Rivard, Bloom, & Abramovitz, 2003; Ko, Ford, Kassam-Adams, et al. 2008; Bloom, 2010). In 1998, SAMHSA launched the Women, Co-Occurring Disorders and Violence study, a seminal study in 27 sites over five years that examined trauma-integrated services counseling. Following that, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) began identification and distribution of empirically supported trauma-specific mental health
I never expected to feel so angry and helpless when it came to trauma within my own family. Angry at the people who caused and angry with the people who didn’t help. I understand that everyone processes these situations differently and for my family members, the processes ranged greatly. I had some
How can trauma on specific clients can be reduce by implementing example of this is the Alaska native (ACE) which is adverse childhood Experiences .This is inclusion program is for Trauma Informed services. The study consist of the relationship of Adverse Childhood Experiences to adult health (Hochman, 2017)
James is a thirteen-year old Caucasian child who is being physically and verbally abused in his home by his two parents. James suffers from multiple disorders that have not been diagnosed by a doctor. He has been removed from his home that he shares with his two younger sisters. James presently is in his Uncle Patrick’s kinship foster care where he is living. James’s case seems that he is suffering from three of the 12 core concepts. Working with children who suffer with more stress related trauma is a more challenging case for the social workers. Sometimes these cases affect the social worker, and they experience vicarious trauma. A social worker works closely with their patients and form a significant relationship
There are different types of trauma child welfare programs focus on. They typically focus on behavioral and emotional problems and ways to correct the child (Greeson et al. 94). However, it is not as simple as the welfare programs want it to be. One first must look at the trauma history of the child, or the “Trauma History Profile”, also known as THP (Greeson et al. 97). The THP addresses “lifetime exposure to trauma and contains a
The term “Psychological trauma” refers to damage wrought from a traumatic event, which that damages one’s ability to cope with stressors. “Trauma” is commonly defined as an exposure to a situation in which a person is confronted with an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to self or others’ physical well-being (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Specific types of client trauma frequently encountered by which therapists and other mental health workers frequently encounter in a clinical setting include sexual abuse, physical , or sexual assault, natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis, domestic violence, and school or/and work related violence (James & Gilliland, 2001). Traumatic
Trauma-informed care refers to a strength-based framework that is based on an understanding of the impact of trauma. This practice emphasizes on psychological, physical, and emotional safety for the providers, the survivors, and it creates an opportunity for the survivors to rebuild themselves and get a sense of control and empowerment. This practice is based on the growing knowledge about several negative impacts that are brought by psychological trauma (Withers, 2017). To understand more about trauma-informed care, this excerpt will examine what the concept entails, how one can change his or her practice to be more trauma-informed and incorporate Eric's experience in the discussion.
As a short term goal, obtaining this postgraduate degree in Counseling Psychology and upgrade my career exposure to smoothen my plans to work as a certified & registered psychotherapist and counselor. For my long term goal, I intend to set up a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation clinic which will provide and offer services such as mental health related counseling services, massage therapy for patients suffering from acquired brain injuries and physical therapies.
“The sad fact is that many women of color are living with PTSD and CPTSD resulting from childhood traumas but are not simply receiving the diagnosis and do not get the appropriate treatment.” The stigma within the African American community prohibits a person from seeking help and not airing out your dirty laundry for fear of being labeled “crazy” with their family or social circles. Dr. Kuban cites The National Institute of Trauma and Loss in Children (TLC) that witness trauma is not seen as a mental disorder but as a painful experience, which many children struggle to cope. I did not have anyone to talk to that could understand how I felt. I didn’t know it then, my inability to say what I felt as a child was depression. Terrie Williams, publicist and therapist call this the “wake-up call” that even little kids suffer from depression even if they don’t know it. Many adults believe children do not suffer with depression and for several decades mental health professionals did not have an official diagnosis for childhood depression. Adults and teachers often underestimate a child suffering PTSD and misinterpret their silence for
Many people come to social workers with a victim mentality, feeling helpless and without a future based on their past. They have been discouraged, beat down and made to feel broken. Being a victim of abuse, trauma, toxic relationships or a victim of assault are all unfortunate circumstances, but they can be overcome. It may seem like a challenge, but it is possible with assistance and God. As social workers we are to provide client’s who have experienced repeated trauma with support and resources to assist them in their journey to a hopeful life. Painful experiences seem to get the best of us at times, but focusing on the client’s ability to survive these horrific events can give the client just the push they need to see that they are a survivor. Helping the client to realize their own strengths and skills used to overcome their trauma, instead of focusing on the trauma itself, is a powerful way to help clients achieve a positive outcome. Kisthardt (1992) states “intervention will work best when there is “an orientation to, and appreciation of, the uniqueness, skills, interests, hopes, and desires of each consumer, rather than a categorical litany of deficits” (p. 60-61). Kaplan and Girard (1994) state “people will be motivated to change and grow when their strengths are
Our life experiences play a large role in shaping who we are as people. My childhood experiences influenced the woman that I am today. My father was abusive. He abused my mother, my siblings, and myself. Whether it was a domestic assault against my mother, slapping of my siblings, or a daily cursing session, our house has always been in turmoil. There were adults that knew about the abuse going on in my home, including teachers. However, none of them intervened for my brothers and I. I cannot help but wonder how my life would have been different if someone had. Experiencing child abuse, as well as my mother’s domestic abuse, is my greatest catalyst in pursing a graduate degree in social work. Pablo Picasso once said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Child abuse could have broken my spirit but it made me stronger. It sparked my interest in mental health, and showed me the importance of compassion. I plan to use my gift to help others improve their quality of mental health, and encourage the development of self-determination.
Life is a continual learning process, which requires a strong method to develop better ways of apprenticeship. Personally, being able to obtain a higher education gives me an opportunity to be better in many ways. Everyone should have any personal goals in life in order to survive, prosper and succeed in every journey that life gives. As for me, being a University of Phoenix student, I hope to achieve all of my goals on which I have been trying to pursue and obtain through the years. They are goals that I believe I need to have to be a successful member of the society, and through attending the university I also hope to gain a more positive image of myself, build my personal growth, along with achieving
When I decided to take the trauma course, I was hesitant at first to take it. I did not know what to expect nor felt I would be prepare listen to stories about traumatic occurrences, despite of the number of years I have worked in the field of community mental health. Therefore, now that we are in week eight, I am delighted to have taken this course. The impression I had at first, has changed my insight concerning what is trauma, as for many years, I did not understand why a person in many instances, could not process their trauma. In a quote by Chang stated, “The greater the doubt, the greater the awakening; the smaller the doubt, the smaller the awakening. No doubt, no awakening” (Van Der Kolk, 2014, p. 22). The goes in congruence with my understanding on trauma and how it has changed during this course. As a result, I feel I am awakening when acquiring more about trauma.
At this point in my life I am eager to continue my education in the hopes of mastering my purpose of helping others. I realize that by way of consequence of difference, the intersectionality of many factors of an individual’s life can lead to negative experiences and this is an aspect of society I hope to change. Also, my dream of opening my own psychology office would not be possible without furthering my education. This degree will allow me to counsel at risk youth and make a difference in their lives. I know that continuing my education through this program will prepare me for the professional practice I will encounter daily and help to lay the foundation of my future as a helpful member of society.