Interview Reflection
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
1
Final Project: Interview, Story, and Reflection
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
2
Final Project: Interview, Story, and Reflection
There are countless movies which romanticize the occupations of many professionals. The glamorization of occupations in the media is evident, and includes law enforcement, chefs, and even doctors. What about the mental health counselor? The life of a mental health counselor may not be what one expects. The juvenile dream of becoming a private practice counselor, completely autonomous, was my own.
Although this is not always the reality, for this paper, it is exactly what we have.
The counselor I chose to interview was Amy Armstrong, MS, NCC, MCC, LPC. …show more content…
A state licensed private practice practitioner, she was quick to respond and eager to help. Armstrong serves a range of clients, ranging from adolescents to later adulthood through individual, family and group therapy (Armstrong, 2014a).
The purpose of this assignment is to gain a clearer picture on the realities of mental health counseling as a profession. By conducting an in person interview, we are able to see a real representation of the mental health profession. We are also better able to form a more knowledgable opinion on whether this helping profession is where we truly want to be.
Summation of Interview
After three weeks of having scheduling conflicts, followed by another two weeks of having to reschedule for unexpected work obligations on both of our parts the interview is done. Because of the time restraint, I could have, and probably should have, changed my subject, but I am very pleased that I did not. Amy Armstrong was polite and appeared genuinely excited and interested. She was pleased to be able to
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
3
help. Armstrong is a national board certified, master’s level counselor presently running a newly private practice (Armstrong, 2014a). Trauma is a current and growing concern within the mental health world (Satcher,
Friel, & Bell, 2007). Armstrong (2014b) believes that most of the clients that come to her have experienced some type of trauma. This trauma can be in the form of job loss, death, loss of purpose or even safety, areas in which Armstrong is very comfortable with working with (Armstrong, 2014b).
Armstrong described her practice as eclectic yet straight forward. According to
Levitt, Darnell, Erford, and Vernon (2014), describe the eclectic counselor as one who has knowledge in differing approaches and applies them as he or she seems fit. In reviewing her website, and during the interview, Armstrong reports that her background to be in Humanistic Psychology with a special appreciation for Moustakas (Armstrong,
2014b, Armstrong, 2014a). Some of her favorite theories and approaches include bibliotherapy, mindfulness based approaches, logotherapy, and her most recently learned eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) (Armstrong, 2014a;
Armstrong 2014b). This wide range of theoretical interest and therapy approaches has led Armstrong to claim this more eclectic style of counseling, integrating different approaches as the need arises with differing clients and situations (Armstrong, 2014a;
Levitte, Darnell, Erford & Vernon, 2014).
For no other reason than to increase her knowledge base, as recent as this year
Armstrong has trained and become certified in Eye Movement Desensitization
Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma survivors (Armstrong, 2014a). Professional growth
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
4
and development are consistent parts of her practice. Armstrong reports her favorite conference as the annual multiculturalism conference offered by the New Jersey
Counseling Association (NJCA) (Armstrong, 2014a; NJCA, 2013).
Armstrong started her career providing career development and mental health
services to traditional and nontraditional college students (Armstrong, 2014a). In career counseling counselors serve a wide range of clients, therefore human growth and development must be of great importance. According to Vernon and Erford (2014) development is life long with ever changing biological, socioemotional and cognitive dimensions. Armstrong (2014a) insists that knowledge of the developmental changes and goal allows the professional counselor to better approach the intended issues.
Having served as a career counselor in a variety of settings, with clients from all walks of life, Armstrong believes multiculturalism to be an important part of counseling
(Armstrong, 2014a). Armstrong has worked for the New York Public Library’s Science,
Industry and Business Library (SIBL), bringing her in contact with New York natives, but also individuals originally from Jamaica, Russia and even South Africa (Armstrong,
2014a). Armstrong believes that it is professionally irresponsible to not acknowledge the cultural differences in individuals and being prepared to learn how to help anyone makes the professional counselor most effective (Armstrong, 2014a; Hays & Gray,
2014).
In regards to experience in treating or referring clients for psychotropic medication, Armstrong reports most clients arrive already prescribed medications
(Armstrong, 2014a). Armstrong reports that fostering relationships with medical
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
5
professionals has proven difficult (Armstrong, 2014a). Especially the adolescent population, whose cases involve not only the client and the prescribing physician, but also guardians. With so many people involved, even if the process of gaining clearance to speak to the physician is granted, communication with physicians has proven challenging (Armstrong, 2014a).
Armstrong reports consultation and supervision as a constant process
(Armstrong, 2014a). Of course Armstrong has no problem reaching out as issues arise
(Armstrong, 2014a). In order to do so Armstrong constantly tries to stay connected to her therapist as often as possible. This is done through supervision meetings at least monthly, to not get caught up in issues of transference, countertransference or even ethical questions (Armstrong, 2014a).
An essential part of being an effective counselor is selfcare. To not overwhelm yourself with the trauma and issues of others in a way that hinders your ability as counselor (Cummins, Massey & Jones, 2007). As a note, Armstrong emphasis that all sessions and groups are not all heavy (Armstrong, 2014). For self care, Armstrong exercises 23 times a week (Armstrong, 2014a). She also enjoys spending time with her family, though when events are not structured she often has to be reminded to relax and not return emails (Armstrong, 2014a).
Story: A Day in the Life of a Mental Health Counselor
As I might imagine, a day in my life as a mental health counselor varies. The daily functions of a professional counselor would change dramatically depending on …show more content…
the setting and years of experience. For the purpose of this narrative, we examine what I
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
6
believe a day in my life as a professional counselor five years after completing supervision. Idealistically, by this time I will have established not only a client base, but also the foundation for a youth center.
My office is part of a complex of mental health professionals serving a variety of populations including children and adults. Services provided within the complex include individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy covering a plethora of differing specializations including substance abuse, family dynamics, behavioral issues and career counseling to name a few.
Each day begins greeting my partners in the office. After settling in I review my schedule and plan the day accordingly. With no early appointments, I check messages received, and return phone calls and emails. I review client files so I am up to date on who I have scheduled for the day.
As clients arrive I provide constructive and well thought out advice. I provide a comfortable environment by adjusting the air conditioning or even the flow of lighting through the window if a client asks. Between sessions I work on case notes as much as possible. After 3 or 4 sessions I break for lunch. I may use this break to meet a friend, colleague or family member. If not a social lunch hour, I may use the break to take
a walk to simply sit and relax with myself. This is my time to regroup before completing the rest of my workday in office.
When I return to the office I again review my schedule. I will again work on returning phone calls, emails or other necessary paperwork including that needed for
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
7
insurance purposes. Again, I work on client notes between sessions to keep the amount of paperwork that carries over down.
I will offer two late nights a week to accommodate the working clientele. If it is a late hours night I may see another 34 clients before ending my day. If not, I will have maybe 12 more sessions then leave the office to finish my workday at the youth center.
The youth center is my time to give back to the community. The idea is to have a safe place for teens and young adults to go where they can improve themselves socially and academically, while promoting mental health. Here I will work closely with adolescents, some with mental illness others without. Two days a week I will facilitate a group or life skills workshop.
The close of my day will always be the same regardless of whether I end in office or at the youth center. Each night I will end my work day by checking and returning messages or emails if appropriate. I will also finalize my schedule for the following day.
No day will end unless I am prepared for the next.
Reflection
This assignment has shown me just how much work goes into being a professional mental health counselor. In just trying to secure an interview subject I was presented with numerous emails and returned phone calls of professionals who wanted to help, but just did not have the time. On top of the workload they normally carry, most were either covering clients of colleagues on vacation, or just getting back from vacation and having to catch up with their own workloads.
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
8
This chance to interview a licensed professional counselor with purpose is brilliant. I have always known that people in the mental health profession were a special breed. But to see it first hand, it has been proven to me that there are professionals out there who are completely committed to their profession. Professionals who are willing to follow strict rules, guidelines and regulations to provide a sense of security to everyone.
I absolutely choose this profession. If there are even a few others like Armstrong, then I look forward to being part of the same community as them. I am willing to put my faith into a profession that promotes the wellbeing of so many, but also houses and produces professionals with the biggest hearts. I am inclined to believe that professional mental health counselors are an overlooked population of professionals. If there is any occupation in which the media should show, counseling is it.
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
9
References
Armstrong, A., (2014b). About Me: Amy Armstrong. Retrieved from http://www.amyarmstrong.com Cummins, P. N., Massey, L., & Jones, A. (2007). Keeping ourselves well: Strategies for promoting and maintaining counselor wellness. Journal of Humanistic
Counseling, Education and Development, 46(1), 35–49.
Hays, D. G., & Gray, G. M., (2014). Multicultural counseling. In B. T. Erford (ed.),
Orientation to the counseling profession: Advocacy, ethics, and essential professional foundations (2nd ed.). (pp. 240272). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Education.
Levitt, D. H., Darnell, A., Erford, B.T., & Vernon, A.(2014). Theories of counseling. In B.
T. Erford (ed.), Orientation to the counseling profession: Advocacy, ethics, and essential professional foundations (2nd ed.).(pp. 114–159). Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Pearson Education.
New Jersey Counselor Association. (2013). 2013 Annual Conference: Counseling through a multicultural lens. Retrieved from https://njcounseling.org/?option=com_content&view=article&id=555&Itemid=372 &fontstyle=flarger
Satcher, D., Friel, S., & Bell, R. (2007). Natural and manmade disasters and mental health. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 298(21),
2540–2542.
1
Final Project: Interview, Story, and Reflection
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
2
Final Project: Interview, Story, and Reflection
There are countless movies which romanticize the occupations of many professionals. The glamorization of occupations in the media is evident, and includes law enforcement, chefs, and even doctors. What about the mental health counselor? The life of a mental health counselor may not be what one expects. The juvenile dream of becoming a private practice counselor, completely autonomous, was my own.
Although this is not always the reality, for this paper, it is exactly what we have.
The counselor I chose to interview was Amy Armstrong, MS, NCC, MCC, LPC. …show more content…
A state licensed private practice practitioner, she was quick to respond and eager to help. Armstrong serves a range of clients, ranging from adolescents to later adulthood through individual, family and group therapy (Armstrong, 2014a).
The purpose of this assignment is to gain a clearer picture on the realities of mental health counseling as a profession. By conducting an in person interview, we are able to see a real representation of the mental health profession. We are also better able to form a more knowledgable opinion on whether this helping profession is where we truly want to be.
Summation of Interview
After three weeks of having scheduling conflicts, followed by another two weeks of having to reschedule for unexpected work obligations on both of our parts the interview is done. Because of the time restraint, I could have, and probably should have, changed my subject, but I am very pleased that I did not. Amy Armstrong was polite and appeared genuinely excited and interested. She was pleased to be able to
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
3
help. Armstrong is a national board certified, master’s level counselor presently running a newly private practice (Armstrong, 2014a). Trauma is a current and growing concern within the mental health world (Satcher,
Friel, & Bell, 2007). Armstrong (2014b) believes that most of the clients that come to her have experienced some type of trauma. This trauma can be in the form of job loss, death, loss of purpose or even safety, areas in which Armstrong is very comfortable with working with (Armstrong, 2014b).
Armstrong described her practice as eclectic yet straight forward. According to
Levitt, Darnell, Erford, and Vernon (2014), describe the eclectic counselor as one who has knowledge in differing approaches and applies them as he or she seems fit. In reviewing her website, and during the interview, Armstrong reports that her background to be in Humanistic Psychology with a special appreciation for Moustakas (Armstrong,
2014b, Armstrong, 2014a). Some of her favorite theories and approaches include bibliotherapy, mindfulness based approaches, logotherapy, and her most recently learned eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) (Armstrong, 2014a;
Armstrong 2014b). This wide range of theoretical interest and therapy approaches has led Armstrong to claim this more eclectic style of counseling, integrating different approaches as the need arises with differing clients and situations (Armstrong, 2014a;
Levitte, Darnell, Erford & Vernon, 2014).
For no other reason than to increase her knowledge base, as recent as this year
Armstrong has trained and become certified in Eye Movement Desensitization
Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma survivors (Armstrong, 2014a). Professional growth
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
4
and development are consistent parts of her practice. Armstrong reports her favorite conference as the annual multiculturalism conference offered by the New Jersey
Counseling Association (NJCA) (Armstrong, 2014a; NJCA, 2013).
Armstrong started her career providing career development and mental health
services to traditional and nontraditional college students (Armstrong, 2014a). In career counseling counselors serve a wide range of clients, therefore human growth and development must be of great importance. According to Vernon and Erford (2014) development is life long with ever changing biological, socioemotional and cognitive dimensions. Armstrong (2014a) insists that knowledge of the developmental changes and goal allows the professional counselor to better approach the intended issues.
Having served as a career counselor in a variety of settings, with clients from all walks of life, Armstrong believes multiculturalism to be an important part of counseling
(Armstrong, 2014a). Armstrong has worked for the New York Public Library’s Science,
Industry and Business Library (SIBL), bringing her in contact with New York natives, but also individuals originally from Jamaica, Russia and even South Africa (Armstrong,
2014a). Armstrong believes that it is professionally irresponsible to not acknowledge the cultural differences in individuals and being prepared to learn how to help anyone makes the professional counselor most effective (Armstrong, 2014a; Hays & Gray,
2014).
In regards to experience in treating or referring clients for psychotropic medication, Armstrong reports most clients arrive already prescribed medications
(Armstrong, 2014a). Armstrong reports that fostering relationships with medical
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
5
professionals has proven difficult (Armstrong, 2014a). Especially the adolescent population, whose cases involve not only the client and the prescribing physician, but also guardians. With so many people involved, even if the process of gaining clearance to speak to the physician is granted, communication with physicians has proven challenging (Armstrong, 2014a).
Armstrong reports consultation and supervision as a constant process
(Armstrong, 2014a). Of course Armstrong has no problem reaching out as issues arise
(Armstrong, 2014a). In order to do so Armstrong constantly tries to stay connected to her therapist as often as possible. This is done through supervision meetings at least monthly, to not get caught up in issues of transference, countertransference or even ethical questions (Armstrong, 2014a).
An essential part of being an effective counselor is selfcare. To not overwhelm yourself with the trauma and issues of others in a way that hinders your ability as counselor (Cummins, Massey & Jones, 2007). As a note, Armstrong emphasis that all sessions and groups are not all heavy (Armstrong, 2014). For self care, Armstrong exercises 23 times a week (Armstrong, 2014a). She also enjoys spending time with her family, though when events are not structured she often has to be reminded to relax and not return emails (Armstrong, 2014a).
Story: A Day in the Life of a Mental Health Counselor
As I might imagine, a day in my life as a mental health counselor varies. The daily functions of a professional counselor would change dramatically depending on …show more content…
the setting and years of experience. For the purpose of this narrative, we examine what I
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
6
believe a day in my life as a professional counselor five years after completing supervision. Idealistically, by this time I will have established not only a client base, but also the foundation for a youth center.
My office is part of a complex of mental health professionals serving a variety of populations including children and adults. Services provided within the complex include individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy covering a plethora of differing specializations including substance abuse, family dynamics, behavioral issues and career counseling to name a few.
Each day begins greeting my partners in the office. After settling in I review my schedule and plan the day accordingly. With no early appointments, I check messages received, and return phone calls and emails. I review client files so I am up to date on who I have scheduled for the day.
As clients arrive I provide constructive and well thought out advice. I provide a comfortable environment by adjusting the air conditioning or even the flow of lighting through the window if a client asks. Between sessions I work on case notes as much as possible. After 3 or 4 sessions I break for lunch. I may use this break to meet a friend, colleague or family member. If not a social lunch hour, I may use the break to take
a walk to simply sit and relax with myself. This is my time to regroup before completing the rest of my workday in office.
When I return to the office I again review my schedule. I will again work on returning phone calls, emails or other necessary paperwork including that needed for
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
7
insurance purposes. Again, I work on client notes between sessions to keep the amount of paperwork that carries over down.
I will offer two late nights a week to accommodate the working clientele. If it is a late hours night I may see another 34 clients before ending my day. If not, I will have maybe 12 more sessions then leave the office to finish my workday at the youth center.
The youth center is my time to give back to the community. The idea is to have a safe place for teens and young adults to go where they can improve themselves socially and academically, while promoting mental health. Here I will work closely with adolescents, some with mental illness others without. Two days a week I will facilitate a group or life skills workshop.
The close of my day will always be the same regardless of whether I end in office or at the youth center. Each night I will end my work day by checking and returning messages or emails if appropriate. I will also finalize my schedule for the following day.
No day will end unless I am prepared for the next.
Reflection
This assignment has shown me just how much work goes into being a professional mental health counselor. In just trying to secure an interview subject I was presented with numerous emails and returned phone calls of professionals who wanted to help, but just did not have the time. On top of the workload they normally carry, most were either covering clients of colleagues on vacation, or just getting back from vacation and having to catch up with their own workloads.
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
8
This chance to interview a licensed professional counselor with purpose is brilliant. I have always known that people in the mental health profession were a special breed. But to see it first hand, it has been proven to me that there are professionals out there who are completely committed to their profession. Professionals who are willing to follow strict rules, guidelines and regulations to provide a sense of security to everyone.
I absolutely choose this profession. If there are even a few others like Armstrong, then I look forward to being part of the same community as them. I am willing to put my faith into a profession that promotes the wellbeing of so many, but also houses and produces professionals with the biggest hearts. I am inclined to believe that professional mental health counselors are an overlooked population of professionals. If there is any occupation in which the media should show, counseling is it.
Running Head: INTERVIEW, STORY, REFLECTION
9
References
Armstrong, A., (2014b). About Me: Amy Armstrong. Retrieved from http://www.amyarmstrong.com Cummins, P. N., Massey, L., & Jones, A. (2007). Keeping ourselves well: Strategies for promoting and maintaining counselor wellness. Journal of Humanistic
Counseling, Education and Development, 46(1), 35–49.
Hays, D. G., & Gray, G. M., (2014). Multicultural counseling. In B. T. Erford (ed.),
Orientation to the counseling profession: Advocacy, ethics, and essential professional foundations (2nd ed.). (pp. 240272). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Education.
Levitt, D. H., Darnell, A., Erford, B.T., & Vernon, A.(2014). Theories of counseling. In B.
T. Erford (ed.), Orientation to the counseling profession: Advocacy, ethics, and essential professional foundations (2nd ed.).(pp. 114–159). Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Pearson Education.
New Jersey Counselor Association. (2013). 2013 Annual Conference: Counseling through a multicultural lens. Retrieved from https://njcounseling.org/?option=com_content&view=article&id=555&Itemid=372 &fontstyle=flarger
Satcher, D., Friel, S., & Bell, R. (2007). Natural and manmade disasters and mental health. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 298(21),
2540–2542.