Blog 24: Last Presentation Reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

• I am proud of the way my presentation went. At first I was nervous, but once I was up there it just seemed easy. I went over the time I planned on covering and I think the flow just went great overall.

(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation?  Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

• I would give myself an AE. I was able to take one look at a point on my PowerPoint and start talking about it. I felt I knew what I was talking about, everything flowed together, and my activities were a success. Everyone was able to understand how my activities and answers went together, everyone said they enjoyed my activities, and the debrief went well.

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project? Use the component contract to defend that assessment..

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

• I would give myself a P. My whole senior project was great overall, but I did have some bumps here and there. However, I did complete everything that was required of me for my project and I did research outside of the sources required on my WB.

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

•  There was a variety of sources for me to choose from. I was able to choose what way I wanted to head towards with psychology since there were several things to choose from.

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project?

• My independent components didn't go as planned. I had first planned to volunteer, but a lot of places required that you be out of high school, so I ended up doing work from the DSM5. My second component I had planned to mentor on Teencentral.net, but again it required that you be out of high school. I then did a course on adolescents instead. I think I would have tried a lot harder at finding other places to volunteer at if I could go back in time.

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples

• I wanted to be a psychologist, so this senior project helped me with understanding the field better and decide if this really was what I wanted to peruse in. This project has helped me become more knowledgeable in this topic as well and let's me know how I can make a change or better myself in this career path.

Blog 23: Exit Interview

 

1. My essential question is, "What is the best way a psychologist can ensure a struggling adolescent receives the best possible treatment?" My three answers were: Through group therapy, parent involvement, and empathy. My best answer was empathy. I feel that if there is no empathy, then treating the client is almost impossible. ACA member, Jeffrey Gutman says himself that learning the client’s worldview is critical in order to be able to enhance cooperation in the counseling process. One can't expect to diagnose a client if the time isn't taken to understand their feelings.

2. Arrive to my best answer was difficult. My best answer was in fact my final answer. After I came up with my first two answers, I felt that my third answer had to be something stronger. After doing research, "empathy" kept on coming up at least once in the articles I looked into. I then began to look into empathy as a whole and went from there.

3. The problems I faced was trying to find my final answer. I felt as if I thought too much of it, but after research I kept noticing the word empathy so that is how I was able to solve and find my answer.

4. Source #59 and #61 were a help on helping me answer my essential question. Source number 59 was a big article that included how connecting with clients is helpful. This article also included real life situations as well as other input, which gave it more perspective. Source number 61 was also helpful because it was a well published book that I was able to receive more information from.

Blog 22: Independent Component 2

I, Ariadne Meza, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 34 hours of work.”

Blum, Robert. Adolescent Health and Development. N.p.: Johns Hopkins Unersity, 2012. 16 May 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2016.

I completed a course that I found on iTunes. This course was on the health and development of adolescents. It shared lectures on how adolescents are and the influences. As I went through, the app provided a notes page where I was able to have my own thoughts, as well as provided me with PowerPoint.

 This component helped me answer my EQ by providing me with the information I need to understand adolescents. It helped me see the things that go on and how they are affected by the things around them.

A view of what the course provided

Blog 17 - Interview 4 Reflection

 

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview?  

How important parent involvement can be. I knew parent involvement was important so that anyone would be able to overcome their struggling situation, but I learned that it had to do more than that. It actually starts front the beginning, and how the parents were from the start and end.

2.  How will what I learned affect my final lesson?

Parent involvement was one of my answers, so I feel like this helped me get more of a direction and insight of where to go with this answer.



https://soundcloud.com/ariadne97/interview4

Blog 20: Fourth Interview Questions

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  What is this person's area of expertise?

I plan on interviewing one of my mentor's partners. They all have a lot of experience in the therapeutic field, as well as working with a variety of clients.

2.  Post 20 open-ended questions you want to ask an expert in the field concerning your senior project. Your focus should be finding answers to your EQ.

1. What is one major problem you find among teens?
2. What are the most common cases you receive when working with teens?
3. Do you find working with adolescents is easier or harder? Why?
4. What are some important factors one must consider when thinking about going into this field (Mainly when working with adolescents)?
5. What have you found works best for teens?
6. What have you found that may not work as great?
7. What do you feel struggling teens may need? (ex. Attention, distractions, activities, etc.)
8. What is an approach one must take?
9. Have you ever had a client that didn't really show treatment progress? How did that make you feel?
10. What sort of recommendations do you usually make to the teens?
11. Have you ever worked with a stubborn teen? How do you handle that sort of situation?
12. How important is parent involvement to you? Why?
13. What is your view on group therapy? Do you feel like it's a huge help? Why or why not?
14. As a therapist, do you try seeing things from your client's perspective? Do you feel it helps with the process?
15. How do you feel therapy helps a client? What are some things that go on during sessions that leads to the client getting better?
16. When the teen feels like giving up on themselves, how do you approach that? What is some motivation?
17. How are you able to help your client recognize their issues when they aren't quite sure about certain situations? (ex. They keep getting this feeling of guilt, but they don't know why)
18. How are you able to control whether or not the teen is doing things outside therapy that you've recommended they do when you aren't around?
19. What sort of relationship do you believe should be built with the client?
20. What is the process that is taken with the clients?

Blog 19: Third Answer

My EQ is, "How can a psychologist ensure a struggling adolescent receives the best possible treatment?"

A psychologist can ensure an adolescent receives the best possible treatment by putting themselves in their client's shoes.

1. The psychologist will be able to see the client's perspective and understand better why they may be feeling or acting the way they are. This helps with understanding the client's needs and helps with the treatment process.
2. Telling your client things like, "at least it isn't this" doesn't help. In fact, it may make them feel worse. The psychologist would want their client to feel like they have someone who listens rather then throwing other things at them.
3. The psychologist will have a sharing bond with their client. Seeing things through the client's eyes, will help the psychologist and the client share what is going on, making the client comfortable.

My sources are http://hdo.utexas.edu/working-successfully-with-your-client-2/ and the book "Client Issues in Counseling and Psychotherapy".

Through the many treatments a struggling adolescent can receive, the psychologist putting themselves in their clients shoes is one of the many helpful ones. The psychologist would want to make their client comfortable and be able to understand more. If things are seen through the client's eyes, it'll be easier to see where they may be struggling.

Blog 18 - Answer 2

1.  What is your EQ?

How can a psychologist ensure a struggling adolescent receives the best possible treatment?

2.  What is your first answer? (In complete thesis statement format)

A psychologist can ensure an adolescent receives the best possible treatment through group therapy.

3.  What is your second answer? (In complete thesis statement format)

A psychologist can ensure an adolescent receives the best possible treatment through family involvement.

4.  List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each.

-Jasmine has not been feeling great the past few years. In fact, a few months ago she attempted to commit suicide. Jasmine has been receiving therapy since then, which has helped out. However, her family has been very loving and caring towards her, and they make sure they know what is going on in her life. Jasmine has started to heal a lot faster once her family got involved.
-Robby has had many struggles with anxiety. He began seeking therapy, but his parents don't know too much about it. His parents are home most of the time, but they don't acknowledge him as much as they should. This makes Robby feel alone sometimes, making his healing process go at a slow pace.
-Scarlett has had extreme self esteem problems. She always feels like she needs to look skinny in order to be beautiful. Scarlett has made herself throw up, or she just won't eat. Scarlett's sister found her passed out on the restroom floor one day. After Scarlett received help, her sister made sure to always be there to make sure she is getting nutrients in her body, as well as remind her of how much of a strong beautiful woman she is. This has helped build Scarlett's self-esteem.
5.  What printed source best supports your answer?

https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/what-works-adolescents-family-connections-and-involvem#involvement

6.  What other source supports your answer?

http://www.teenrevitalization.com/about-troubled-teen-programs/article-troubled-teen-center-family-involvement.html

http://www.familyfacts.org/briefs/40/parental-involvement-and-childrens-well-being
 7.  Tie this together with a  concluding thought.

Family involvement is a major role when dealing with struggling teens. The family needs to know what is going on in this teens life so that they can better help them. If a teen needs medication, the family should be there to make sure they're taking it; if a teen needs time to get out the house, the family should be there to provide family outings. With family involvement, the teen won't feel as alone, and the healing process will be much quicker.

Blog 17 - Interview 3 Reflection

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview? 

I learned some approaches that are helpful when dealing with specific clients in the psychology field, as well as what are some important things to take into account with your clients.

2.  How has your approach to interviewing changed over the course of your senior project?

I've gotten more used to it. It is a lot more comfortable for me than what it was at the beginning.

https://soundcloud.com/ariadne97/interview3

Blog 16: Independent Component 2 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

I plan on being a counselor on teencentral.net. This is a website where struggling teens come in and write their stories. They are allowed to write about problems they are dealing with, or any other struggles. My job as a counselor, is to reply and talk to these teens and give them the help and support that they need.
2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

I will either show evidence of some of the talks/replies I've done, or have the instructor of the website give me a verification of amount of hours I have done.

3.  Explain how this component will help you explore your topic in more depth.

This component will help me explore my topic in more depth by allowing me to get experience. I will be able to read real life examples, as well as help teens with their problems. This will help me understand more of what is needed.

4.  Post a log in your Senior Project Hours link and label it "Independent Component 2" log.

Independent Component 1

The book I was working with, including notes taken

 

LITERAL
(a) Write: “I, Ariadne Meza, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30.5  hours of work.”
(b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component.

American Psychiatric Association. Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-5. Arlington: American Psychiatric Association, 2013. Print.

(c) Update your hours in your Senior Project Hours link. Make sure it is clearly labeled with hours for individual sessions as well as total hours.

(d) Explain what you completed.
 

I have been working on the DSM-5. I have been taking margin/Cornell notes on the information provided. I have also defined terms to get a better understanding, as well as watch documentaries on some of the diagnostics mentioned.

INTERPRETIVE 
Defend your work and explain its significance to your project and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.

I have provided a picture above, of the work I have completed. I found this very useful because it had to do with diagnostics, which is extremely important to understand in psychology.
 

APPLIED
How did the component help you understand the foundation of your topic better?  Please include specific examples to illustrate this.

This component helped me understand my topic better, by providing me information with different diagnostics. When working with a client, it is important to take note of everything you notice about them. If you are not able to diagnose them, then it only makes it so much harder to help them, because their problems won't be understood by the psychologist as much.



Lesson 2 Reflection

1.What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?

I am proud of the way I carried myself out throughout the presentation, I thought I would be more nervous and I would forget things, but I think I did just fine in that area.

2. a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

       P

     b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.
I feel like I deserve a P because I felt like I used my time efficiently, including the hook, content, and activity. I also feel my content was pretty clear.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?
I feel like my activity worked. It was an enjoyable game, as well as a way for everyone to get an idea of what group therapy would be like.

4. What didn't work? If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?
I felt like maybe I could've gone a bit more in depth with my answer. I did have several examples to back up my answer, but I could've gone more in depth with each. I did mention some sources, but I forgot to mention the sources I had put up for the examples behind my answer.

5. What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?

I am not quite completely sure yet, but I would think it would be involvement of some kind, whether it be parent or client relationship.

Blg 14: Third Interview Preparation

How can a psychologist ensure an adolescent gets the best possible treatment?

 

 

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  What is this person's area of expertise?

 

I plan on interviewing my mentor, since she is the one I've been working with and I want to see what she thinks about my EQ. She is in her own practice, and has been working in this field for several years.

 2.  Verify that you have called your interviewee to schedule an interview.  What is the date and time of the interview?

 

January 21 at 3:00 pm

 3.  Phrase an open-ended question that will help you find research resources that would help to answer the EQ.

 

Besides mentorship, what additional things do you think I should look up or do to better answer my question?

 4.  Phrase an open-ended question that will help you think about other useful activities you might do to help you answer the EQ (IC2, possible experts to talk to, etc).

What other things do you recommend I do, to get a better understanding of the field and of finding more answers for my EQ?

 5.  Phrase two open-ended questions that help you to understand your interviewee's perspective on an aspect of your EQ.

-Throughout the time that you've been working in this field, what are some things you've found worked best for adolescents?
-What are some things you've found that aren't as affective?

Blog 13: 10 Hour Mentorship Check-In

 1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?

Crossroads Family Therapy

2.   Who is your contact?  What makes this person an expert?

Jasmine DeGuzman. She is in her own practice, and she has been in the therapeutic field for many years, working with a variety of clients.

 3.   How many  hours have you done during the school year? (Summer Mentorship Hours and Mentorship Hours should be reflected separately in your Senior Project Hours log located on the right hand side of your blog).

11 Hours during the summer, and 25 during the school year

 4.   Succinctly summarize what you did, how well you and your mentor worked together, and how you plan to complete the remaining hours.

My mentor has shown me how to conduct a session with a client, and she has also taught me about several disorders. We always have discussions and she helps me understand whatever doesn't make sense to me, as well as ask me questions so that she knows where I am. We plan on having more discussions.

Blog 12: Holiday Project Update

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?
My mentor had me do some research over break on different topics. I also caught up on my notebook and taking notes.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why?  What was the source of what you learned?
The most important thing I learned had more to do with time management and how to research. I noticed that I learn more when I dedicate my time into doing something, and I am able to find articles to back up other articles.

3.  Your third interview will be a 10 question interview related to possible answers for your EQ. Who do you plan to talk to and why?

My mentor, so that she is able to get an idea of my EQ as well as contribute to it as well, so she can see where she can help me with it.