As I devoted the last blog to discussing my responsibilities at NMHC (and that is only half of what I do as an intern), I figured it would be appropriate to discuss the other part of my responsibilities as an intern...working for OMNI Behavioral Health.
Originally, I spent the majority of my time with OMNI working in a group home setting with troubled adolescents, providing weekly individual and family therapy, as well as leading anger management group. The remainder of my time was spent conducting in home therapy with teens and their families. I really enjoyed my job, especially working in the group home, as it was something completely different than anything I have ever done before, and it provided new and exciting challenges. Due to unforseen circumstances, however, the group home closed at the end of November, and my responsbilities changed considerably.
I began increasing my home-based case load and currently have fifteen active homebased cases in addition to my ten cases at NMHC. For the OMNI cases, I am responsible for maintaining all of my client files, from their opening to discharge. I am also required to maintain contact with caseworkers and probation officers, manage insurance coverage and billing information, and maintain client databases. The administrative responsibilites, coupled with dynamic client presentations and issues, makes every day a new challenge.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
My Job: Part 1
I thought it would be best to write this particular blog in two parts, as my internship really consists of two parts. I am going to focus my blog this week on my responsibilities at Nebraska Mental Health Centers, and will dedicate the discussion next week to my responsibilities at OMNI Behavioral Health.
As I work for two organizations, I spend two days per week seeing clients at NMHC. My responsibilities with this organization include the following: conducting psychological evaluations (including forensic, neuro, child, and disability assessments); maintaining a caseload of approximately 5-10 individual and family therapy cases; and attending weekly trainings, individual, and group supervision meetings. Next month, I will begin running groups for at risk youth at a local middle school. In a few months, I will also begin co-facilitating domestic violence group.
In my short time as an intern, I have learned alot about the field of psychology. I have broadened my working knowledge base to include a multitude of new assessment instruments, and have worked with diverse clients from a variety of age groups and ethnic groups. Weekly training and supervisory meetings have encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and have challenged me to grow as a clinician. All in all, the experience has been mentally, emotionally, and at times, physically challenging. However, the experiences I have gained as a result of these challenges have made me a better therapist and a stronger person in general.
As I work for two organizations, I spend two days per week seeing clients at NMHC. My responsibilities with this organization include the following: conducting psychological evaluations (including forensic, neuro, child, and disability assessments); maintaining a caseload of approximately 5-10 individual and family therapy cases; and attending weekly trainings, individual, and group supervision meetings. Next month, I will begin running groups for at risk youth at a local middle school. In a few months, I will also begin co-facilitating domestic violence group.
In my short time as an intern, I have learned alot about the field of psychology. I have broadened my working knowledge base to include a multitude of new assessment instruments, and have worked with diverse clients from a variety of age groups and ethnic groups. Weekly training and supervisory meetings have encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and have challenged me to grow as a clinician. All in all, the experience has been mentally, emotionally, and at times, physically challenging. However, the experiences I have gained as a result of these challenges have made me a better therapist and a stronger person in general.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Getting a little more personal...
As I spent the previous blog describing a little bit about my background and family, I thought it would be important to mention the most significant source of emotional support in my life right now...my boyfriend Chris. Chris is currently in his second year of graduate school at Forest...where we met originally. We have been together for almost nine months and I cannot begin to describe the important role he has played, and continues to play in my life on a daily basis. It is truly a blessing to be able to discuss my experiences with someone who truly understands, on a number of different levels.
For the past five months, our relationship has been greatly impacted by the roughly 300 miles between us. We see each other approximately once a month, or more often if our schedules allow. Since he is in graduate school and beginning practicum and working as well, and I am working approximately 50-60 hours a week, it makes finding time together challenging and sparse. Even despite the distance, however, we are managing to make it work the best we can...counting down the days until I am finished with internship and can move closer to him and to home.
As it is easy to get sucked into work and overwhelmed by the stress of it all, he has managed to keep me in touch with reality and has encouraged me to enjoy the experience and enjoy life in general. The time we spend together is precious and highly valued, which I believe has influenced the quality of our relationship in a very positive way. Although we have always been creative in our ideas for time spent together, we have gained an even more innovative sense of creativity in our time apart...and have participated in weekend trips to new places, ventures into new and exciting activites, and most recently, the purchase of webcams so we can see each other while we talk to each other. Meanwhile, we have still managed to stay connected and engage in the activities we have always enjoyed (i.e. cooking together, relaxing and watching movies, doing anything active and outdoors, and playing lots of frisbee).
I felt this was topic of discussion was important to mention for three major reasons:
1. He is a very significant part of my life and I honestly doubt I would have made it this far without him.
2. I feel this situation is proof that long distance relationships can work...with a little effort and creativity. And in fact, they may actually be better than when they began :)
2. In my opinion, support, by far, is the MOST important part of success in graduate school. Whether it be in the form of peers (which I can say I have been blessed with many friends as a result of my time at Forest...some of which I can guarantee will be lifelong friendships), family members, significant others, or social groups...these social outlets and individuals are a major asset...and an important way of coping with the stress of the graduate school and internship experience.
So....I would encourage everyone who is either enrolled in classes, or considering application to graduate school, to form relationships and nurture them...as it truly is the key to preserving your sanity in what will likely be one of the most stressful times of your life.
For the past five months, our relationship has been greatly impacted by the roughly 300 miles between us. We see each other approximately once a month, or more often if our schedules allow. Since he is in graduate school and beginning practicum and working as well, and I am working approximately 50-60 hours a week, it makes finding time together challenging and sparse. Even despite the distance, however, we are managing to make it work the best we can...counting down the days until I am finished with internship and can move closer to him and to home.
As it is easy to get sucked into work and overwhelmed by the stress of it all, he has managed to keep me in touch with reality and has encouraged me to enjoy the experience and enjoy life in general. The time we spend together is precious and highly valued, which I believe has influenced the quality of our relationship in a very positive way. Although we have always been creative in our ideas for time spent together, we have gained an even more innovative sense of creativity in our time apart...and have participated in weekend trips to new places, ventures into new and exciting activites, and most recently, the purchase of webcams so we can see each other while we talk to each other. Meanwhile, we have still managed to stay connected and engage in the activities we have always enjoyed (i.e. cooking together, relaxing and watching movies, doing anything active and outdoors, and playing lots of frisbee).
I felt this was topic of discussion was important to mention for three major reasons:
1. He is a very significant part of my life and I honestly doubt I would have made it this far without him.
2. I feel this situation is proof that long distance relationships can work...with a little effort and creativity. And in fact, they may actually be better than when they began :)
2. In my opinion, support, by far, is the MOST important part of success in graduate school. Whether it be in the form of peers (which I can say I have been blessed with many friends as a result of my time at Forest...some of which I can guarantee will be lifelong friendships), family members, significant others, or social groups...these social outlets and individuals are a major asset...and an important way of coping with the stress of the graduate school and internship experience.
So....I would encourage everyone who is either enrolled in classes, or considering application to graduate school, to form relationships and nurture them...as it truly is the key to preserving your sanity in what will likely be one of the most stressful times of your life.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Getting to know me...
As this is my first official post as a blogger, I thought it would be good to tell everyone a little bit about myself. I am a 24-year-old female, currently living in Lincoln, Nebraska, where I have spent the last four months, and will spend the next seven or so months, completing my predoctoral internship. My intern situtation is a little bit unique, as I split my time between two different organizations: Nebraska Mental Health Centers and OMNI Behavioral Health (more info. to come about these sites later).
I am originally from Moberly, Missouri, which is a pretty small town near Columbia, MO. I am the oldest of two children. My 20-year-old sister Megan is currently working on completing her bachelors degree in dietetics and will be transferring to the University of Missouri-Columbia in the Fall. My parents have been married for 26 years and live in Moberly, MO.
I graduated from Moberly High School, spent a year and a half finishing my Associates degree in Psychology at Moberly Area Community College, and spent the next year and a half completing my Bachelors degree in Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia (go tigers!!!) My decision to come to Forest for my graduate education was easy...I loved the location and the town, and saw great strength in the clinical emphasis of the program. Little did I know when I began my graduate school journey that many wonderful and challenging things would be waiting for me along the way!
I am originally from Moberly, Missouri, which is a pretty small town near Columbia, MO. I am the oldest of two children. My 20-year-old sister Megan is currently working on completing her bachelors degree in dietetics and will be transferring to the University of Missouri-Columbia in the Fall. My parents have been married for 26 years and live in Moberly, MO.
I graduated from Moberly High School, spent a year and a half finishing my Associates degree in Psychology at Moberly Area Community College, and spent the next year and a half completing my Bachelors degree in Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia (go tigers!!!) My decision to come to Forest for my graduate education was easy...I loved the location and the town, and saw great strength in the clinical emphasis of the program. Little did I know when I began my graduate school journey that many wonderful and challenging things would be waiting for me along the way!
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