The Treatment Planning course has strengthened my ability to create individualized treatment plans that help promote positive client outcomes. Throughout this course, I learned the importance of effective treatment goals, especially when working alongside the client. This course emphasized the importance of utilizing assessments, client strengths, goals, and understanding cultural backgrounds. Treatment Planning helped open my eyes to how this was an on-going process and change at any time. 

     During this course, I learned to implement SMART goals, and ensure they're realistic, while remaining client-centered. This has helped me tremendously at my current internship. I've been able to set realistic goals with my current clients, which helps them feel more inclined to reach them. This course used various case studies and discussions to showcase the importance of understanding social, cultural, biological and psychological factors involved in treatment planning. 

     Additionally, this course emphasized the responsibility counselors hold during the treatment planning process. The Treatment Planning course focused on collaboration that honors the client's identity, values, and beliefs. This has helped me connect with my clients at Cook County by ensuring they feel seen, heard, and valued. This course taught me the importance of involving the client in treatment planning and how this can dictate the likelihood of a positive outcome. 

     Lastly, Treatment Planning has helped me understand the need for flexibility, especially as my clients' needs change. I've gained confidence in my collaborative efforts in treatment planning and helping my clients' reach their personal goals. In moving forward, I would like to continue to use treatment planning as a collaborative tool that helps my clients reach their personal goals. 

     The Family and Couples course expanded my understanding of how relationship dynamics can impact an individual's life. This course provided me with the necessary knowledge and skills to work with families that may be experiencing various challenges. 

     A significant aspect of this course focused on the different theories and models of couples counseling, especially Emotionally Focused Theory (EFT) and Bowen Family Systems theory. Studying these approaches have allowed me to develop a strong fundmental concept based around relationship concerns, especially centering communication, conflict resolution, and connection. 

     Additionally, Couples and Family has helped me assess my ability to identify negative relationship patterns, communication styles, and possible areas of conflict. This course used various case studies and class discussions, which helped me improve my self-awareness. I've been able to develop my own effective style of communication with my clients, which has helped built rapport within our dynamic. Through this course, I've been able to learn the importance of helping family and couple relationships recognize negative patterns and work together to create new healthy patterns. 

     Lastly, this course has helped me gain the confidence to dig into deeper and meaningful conversations with my clients and create goals that may positively impact their families. In moving forward, I plan to gain more skills and understanding towards families in need of positive change. I want to be able to provide compassion for clients and allow them to build a non-judgemental space where they can feel free to make impactful changes. 

     The diagnostic coursework provided me with a bigger picture of how mental health conditions can develop. When I first started this class, I was unsure of what expectations to approach this class with, however, it has helped increase many areas of strength for me. 

     One of the most valuable components of diagnostic is how it challenged my beliefs when discussing certain diagoses. Prior to taking this class, my abilities concering mental health diagnoses relied heavily on patterns. Since taking this class, I've been able to recognize that mental health is a complex complex of the human mind. I must learn to look at my client from all lenses and not make an immediate assumption as it can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis. 

     Lastly, one of the main things I've learned through this coursework is to be mindful of my language when talking to a client. Many diagnoses carry stigamtizing labels with them. I want to ensure my clients feel safe and seen with me. Moving forward in my career and trainings, I will carry this with me. 

icanstart final.edited.docx

This artificat involves an assignment where I worked with a partner to diagnose and treat her. It was a wonderful opportunity to see how she presented during session and how I could show up for her. 

     Over the course of addictions, my perspective towards addiction has enhanced deeply. One of the most important roles of addiction that I learned was the impact of the brain. Understanding how the reward system can reinforce addictive patterns can allow me to understand what my clients may be experiencing if they struggle with addiction. 

     One thing I took away from this class was the behavioral side of addictions. During this coursework, I was able to learn about sex and gambling addiction. This was important to me as many individuals struggle with shame, guilt, and stigma surrounding them. Learning that compulsive disorders may be driven by unmet needs and coping mechanisms can help me recognize how to approach and treat my client. 

     Another key component of addiction is trauma. This coursework taught me that many individuals who've experienced severe trauma will sometimes use substances to cope with their experiences. In moving forward with my career and education, I will be able to apply this to my clients and have an overall understanding of how to help them through both their trauma and their addictions.

     Working at Cook County Corrections has allowed me to have some experience people individuals who've had extreme trauma and addiction. I've learned that individuals need to feel validated in their experiences. The most important part is that they do not feel judged and feel like you genuinely care about their well-being. This class taught me the importance of first-person language and showing up.

presentation4-3.pptx

This artifact showcases a group project done where we built a community health center that helped people in poverty become sober. It helped me understand the importance of resources 

     The Trauma and Crisis course provided me with an understanding of the impact that traumatic experiences and crises have on an individual, family, community level. Throughout this course, I developed a deep insight for the complex way trauma impacts people in multiple ways, including cognitive, mentally, and physically. During the time in this course, I've learned that trauma-informed consent requires a safe environment that promotes trust, empowerment, and resilience. This course helped me understand the importance of approaching every client with compassion, patience, and sensitivity. 

     This course helped me understand the neurobiology and psychobiology that occurs when someone is impacted by trauma. In the Trauma and Crisis course, we explored the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs,) complex trauma, grief, and loss. I've been able to apply these teachings to my group and individual sessions at my internship, which has helped my clients process their emotions better. This course has helped me gain deep insight into the importance of recongizing my clients' strengths and supporting the healing process. 

     During this course, we used various class discussions to understand and develop appropriate intervention plans. This course emphasized the importance of safety planning, especially when assessing suicide and homicide risk. The ability to asses these matters has increased my confidence and helped me approach my clients in a more thoughtful and effective manner. 

     Lastly, the Trauma and Crisis course highlighted the importance of self-awareness and self-care as a counselor. This course taught me about the importance of burn-out and secondary traumatic-stress. As I continue my professional career as a counselor, I remain comitted to growing in educating myself in trauma-informed care. I hope to empower clients and create a safe space that fosters deep growth. I would like to support my clients' long-term well-being and lifelong goals.