Well, it has all happened super fast but Matt and I have found a beautiful apartment...so stay tuned and I will post some pictures and tell more about it soon!
I can't wait!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Practicum FINISHED!!!
Well I have officially completed my last weekend of practicum and have never felt more relieved and sad at the same time. Both weekends of being able to counsel individuals and also observe others counseling it was a very interesting and much needed experience in my life. I had many different experiences and feelings going through the process of counseling individuals but never once did I feel like it was not what I was supposed to be doing. I had challenges and struggles, but I knew it was what I needed to understand what I was getting ready to enter into, and I think secretly...I loved it all.
I must say though that the second weekend, I had my first client of the morning not show up. I was terrified, the first thought in my head was that my client had committed suicide. Others in the class wished that they could be me and get a free hour off or a free lunch, but that is not how I felt. I was worried for my client and their well being. I definitely had my first scare, I knew that someday I would have to deal with that situation, but never did I expect it to come during practicum. Thankfully, my client arrived the next morning and our final session together went really well.
My other client I thought that I would be a little relieved because she challenged me a lot more than I was ready for, but in the end, I was sad to see her go and know that I would never again know where her life would lead and never again would we have that counseling relationship. I couldn't believe how sad it was to 'terminate' our counseling relationship and time together. She gave me some of the best feedback and she really made me happy that I have chosen this profession and pursued it. It was so great to know that I helped her discover feelings and emotions and really just helped her in some of the situations in her life. I look forward to counseling future clients and know that I would never want to be doing something else.
I believe in this profession and I believe in myself. I know that counseling is effective and I know that the journey in front of me will be amazing....
I must say though that the second weekend, I had my first client of the morning not show up. I was terrified, the first thought in my head was that my client had committed suicide. Others in the class wished that they could be me and get a free hour off or a free lunch, but that is not how I felt. I was worried for my client and their well being. I definitely had my first scare, I knew that someday I would have to deal with that situation, but never did I expect it to come during practicum. Thankfully, my client arrived the next morning and our final session together went really well.
My other client I thought that I would be a little relieved because she challenged me a lot more than I was ready for, but in the end, I was sad to see her go and know that I would never again know where her life would lead and never again would we have that counseling relationship. I couldn't believe how sad it was to 'terminate' our counseling relationship and time together. She gave me some of the best feedback and she really made me happy that I have chosen this profession and pursued it. It was so great to know that I helped her discover feelings and emotions and really just helped her in some of the situations in her life. I look forward to counseling future clients and know that I would never want to be doing something else.
I believe in this profession and I believe in myself. I know that counseling is effective and I know that the journey in front of me will be amazing....
Monday, February 9, 2009
Practicum
This past weekend I had the class that everyone fears the most, in my experience at least, practicum. The class where you put everything you have learned over the last year or so to use. You practice just about every skill and technique you have learned, for me it was all of my counseling skills and techniques. I must say for being so petrified things weren't as bad, not even close, as a I thought it was going to be.
Over the weekend I had 2 clients that I saw for 2 sessions each, however between those sessions I also watched 4 other sessions of clients and peers. As our professor also made clear, although we were only "in" 2 sessions it was really as if we had 6 sessions each day. I, as many of my classmates, were exhausted. Not because they were horrible sessions and not because we hated it, just because it is a lot to take in and focus on. You are not just talking about the weather or a work issue, you really are talking about deep issues that have meaning and painful experiences for these clients and that affects you as well. You may not be getting emotionally involved but you are or at least should be empathetic towards the clients and sometimes that can be emotionally draining, especially when you are just starting out.
Anyway, the experience was definitely a lot better than I expected it to be and I now know that this is my true calling. I am not sure where it will lead me and what I will do with it, but I know that it is important to me and it is something that comes natural to me. Of course there are still a few things that I need to work on but I don't have any doubt that this is what I was meant to do.
Over the weekend I had 2 clients that I saw for 2 sessions each, however between those sessions I also watched 4 other sessions of clients and peers. As our professor also made clear, although we were only "in" 2 sessions it was really as if we had 6 sessions each day. I, as many of my classmates, were exhausted. Not because they were horrible sessions and not because we hated it, just because it is a lot to take in and focus on. You are not just talking about the weather or a work issue, you really are talking about deep issues that have meaning and painful experiences for these clients and that affects you as well. You may not be getting emotionally involved but you are or at least should be empathetic towards the clients and sometimes that can be emotionally draining, especially when you are just starting out.
Anyway, the experience was definitely a lot better than I expected it to be and I now know that this is my true calling. I am not sure where it will lead me and what I will do with it, but I know that it is important to me and it is something that comes natural to me. Of course there are still a few things that I need to work on but I don't have any doubt that this is what I was meant to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)