In the months I have been on internship, I have learned a number of important lessons both professionally and personally. Of the most important lessons I have learned professionally, however, is the importance of collaboration.
This week, (as I frequently do) I had the privilege to attend a team meeting for one of my many clients. During these monthly meetings, all treatment providers (including, but not limited to case managers, income maintenance workers, therapists, client advocates, family members, and probation officers) gather together to discuss relevant issues related to client care. These meetings are great opportunities to network with other professionals, and also enable all providers to discuss the ways in which they are providing care to the client. This open communication reduces the likelihood the client is receiving conflicting care or conflicting information.
While on internship, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with a number of different treatment providers, and have learned a great deal from these interactions. Collaboration allows the therapist (and other members of the treatment team) to ensure the client is receiving the most appropriate care possible. Without this important facet of treatment, potential gaps in care may occur. This valuable aspect of care is something I will continue to do throughout my career as a burgening psychologist.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A Little Down Time...
In an effort to recharge my batteries and take some time for myself for a change, I have been planning some mini-vacations/leisure activities. Last weekend, I went to Warrensburg, where I spent the weekend with my younger sister. On Saturday, my great friend Tessa (whom I met at Forest) came down for the day, and the three of us spent the day in Kansas City, where we went shopping, and ate exceptional food.
This weekend, I am going home to Moberly, for the first time since Christmas. I will be spending time with my mom, dad, and sister. My amazing boyfriend Chris will also be joining us for the weekend! As we are unable to spend valentines day together, we will be celebrating on Saturday by going to dinner and spending a quiet evening out with each other. The remainder of the weekend will be spent catching up with family and playing the Nintendo Wii my parents recently purchased.
One of the most important lessons I learned while in graduate school was the importance of balance. It is easy to get caught up in the tests, homework, readings, and client-related activities of the program. However, if you can manage to find time (or rather, schedule time) for leisure activities, it really helps when prioritizing and seeing the bigger picture. So, if I had one salient piece of advice to offer related to success in graduate school, it would have to be...find the balance that works for you...make sure you get your work done, but find/make time for yourself as well. If you fail to do that, you run the risk of loosing any piece of sanity you may already have!
This weekend, I am going home to Moberly, for the first time since Christmas. I will be spending time with my mom, dad, and sister. My amazing boyfriend Chris will also be joining us for the weekend! As we are unable to spend valentines day together, we will be celebrating on Saturday by going to dinner and spending a quiet evening out with each other. The remainder of the weekend will be spent catching up with family and playing the Nintendo Wii my parents recently purchased.
One of the most important lessons I learned while in graduate school was the importance of balance. It is easy to get caught up in the tests, homework, readings, and client-related activities of the program. However, if you can manage to find time (or rather, schedule time) for leisure activities, it really helps when prioritizing and seeing the bigger picture. So, if I had one salient piece of advice to offer related to success in graduate school, it would have to be...find the balance that works for you...make sure you get your work done, but find/make time for yourself as well. If you fail to do that, you run the risk of loosing any piece of sanity you may already have!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Great resources for great clients...
For those of you already seeing clients, or with a desire to do so someday, one thing you will quickly learn is how difficult it is to come up with meaningful interventions and resources to help those clients. Sure, the first few sessions are easy enough...get to know the person, gather some background information, and formulate treatment goals. But the tricky part is what comes next...what to do after all of the preliminary stuff has been completed.
During my internship, I have gained exposure to a variety of new and interesting treatment modalities and therapeutic orientations. Along the way, I have made every effort to soak up as much information as I possibly can. So, from time to time, I plan on sharing the most interesting things I learn on my blog.
In the last week, one of my fellow interns recommended two great books...and I wanted to share them in an effort to assist anyone else who may be looking for some great resources for clients. The first book is by Kay Redfield Jamison, and is entitled "An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness." This book chronicles the life and struggles of a woman struggling with Bipolar Disorder. Her story is very detailed and inspiring, and is a great read for anyone who is suffering from the disorder, or those who want to learn more about it. The second book is by Rachel Reiland, and is entitled "Get Me Out of Here: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder." This book examines the struggles of living with Borderline Personality Disorder, and is a great read as well.
I would highly recommend either book to any aspiring clinician, or interested individual. As I continue on my internship journey, I will continue to share the resources and interventions I find most useful and would hope that all clinicians would do the same!
During my internship, I have gained exposure to a variety of new and interesting treatment modalities and therapeutic orientations. Along the way, I have made every effort to soak up as much information as I possibly can. So, from time to time, I plan on sharing the most interesting things I learn on my blog.
In the last week, one of my fellow interns recommended two great books...and I wanted to share them in an effort to assist anyone else who may be looking for some great resources for clients. The first book is by Kay Redfield Jamison, and is entitled "An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness." This book chronicles the life and struggles of a woman struggling with Bipolar Disorder. Her story is very detailed and inspiring, and is a great read for anyone who is suffering from the disorder, or those who want to learn more about it. The second book is by Rachel Reiland, and is entitled "Get Me Out of Here: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder." This book examines the struggles of living with Borderline Personality Disorder, and is a great read as well.
I would highly recommend either book to any aspiring clinician, or interested individual. As I continue on my internship journey, I will continue to share the resources and interventions I find most useful and would hope that all clinicians would do the same!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The 'ole dissertation...
Whether you are currently enrolled in graduate school, or considering application, there is one word that is likely to cause the hair on the back of your neck to stand straight up...DISSERTATION.
I mention this now, as it is at the forefront of the minds of several of my friends and colleagues. Previously, Forest required all students leaving for internship to have their dissertations completed prior to leaving for their internship. With my class, however, an exception to that rule was put in place, and students were allowed to begin internship without having defended their dissertations. At first, everyone thought this was great...it allowed everyone extra time to collect data, write, and more importantly, enjoy their last months of school without that added stress. However, this decision which originally fostered a sigh of relief, has quickly translated into gasps of air, equivalent to panic attacks.
Despite a number of interpersonal stressors which occured toward the end of my coursework at Forest, I managed to successfully complete my dissertation, and defended one week prior to my move to Nebraska. At the time, I resented the time I was spending working on my dissertation, but I am quickly coming to realize this was likely one of the best decisions I have ever made. With the hurried and hectic nature of my work schedule, it would have been nearly impossible to complete the dissertation and defend prior to the end of internship.
So, my advice to all current and future Forest students is this: Set aside a predetermined amount of time each week to work on the dissertation. Stick to that time no matter what comes up, and defend prior to leaving for internship! Trust me, you will thank yourself if you do!
I mention this now, as it is at the forefront of the minds of several of my friends and colleagues. Previously, Forest required all students leaving for internship to have their dissertations completed prior to leaving for their internship. With my class, however, an exception to that rule was put in place, and students were allowed to begin internship without having defended their dissertations. At first, everyone thought this was great...it allowed everyone extra time to collect data, write, and more importantly, enjoy their last months of school without that added stress. However, this decision which originally fostered a sigh of relief, has quickly translated into gasps of air, equivalent to panic attacks.
Despite a number of interpersonal stressors which occured toward the end of my coursework at Forest, I managed to successfully complete my dissertation, and defended one week prior to my move to Nebraska. At the time, I resented the time I was spending working on my dissertation, but I am quickly coming to realize this was likely one of the best decisions I have ever made. With the hurried and hectic nature of my work schedule, it would have been nearly impossible to complete the dissertation and defend prior to the end of internship.
So, my advice to all current and future Forest students is this: Set aside a predetermined amount of time each week to work on the dissertation. Stick to that time no matter what comes up, and defend prior to leaving for internship! Trust me, you will thank yourself if you do!
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