Narrative Report
Internship Experience Narrative Report
I have had the pleasure of experiencing two different unique counseling internships. The practicum experience I received in both placements has been rewarding, educational, and challenging. Though both experiences differed greatly in environment they both possessed the same qualities which assisted me in the process of becoming a counselor. RESPOND Inc. is New England’s first Domestic Violence agency and the only the second one in the nation to be established in 1974. Needless to stay I was intimidated by this organization that had stood the test of time for 35 years providing services for women. I had to go through three interviews before I was selected as their intern for the 2008/2009 year. I was proud to be part of this devoted staff to help heal victims of violence. In order to be part of the staff I was asked to complete a 35 hour training spread out through four weeks. It was intense training in approaches to trauma related situations. In the training I was meeting with other Boston area Domestic Violence agencies. Together we worked as a community to help survivors of violence. Once the training was complete I could start doing intakes with victims of domestic violence on my own and facilitating support groups. Once I completed an intake I would assess the client’s needs and suggest the services we offered. The services we offered generally fell within three categories: Advocacy, Individual counseling, and Group Counseling. Each client would have details on what the next steps would be in regards to the services they would receive. My contact with the client usually would involve them coming into the office for either group or individual sessions, however sometimes contact involved going to the court house for advocacy services. There were also times when I would accompany clients to meetings, and meet up with them at their job sites. The issue of safety meant that the traditional forms of counseling needed
I have had the pleasure of experiencing two different unique counseling internships. The practicum experience I received in both placements has been rewarding, educational, and challenging. Though both experiences differed greatly in environment they both possessed the same qualities which assisted me in the process of becoming a counselor. RESPOND Inc. is New England’s first Domestic Violence agency and the only the second one in the nation to be established in 1974. Needless to stay I was intimidated by this organization that had stood the test of time for 35 years providing services for women. I had to go through three interviews before I was selected as their intern for the 2008/2009 year. I was proud to be part of this devoted staff to help heal victims of violence. In order to be part of the staff I was asked to complete a 35 hour training spread out through four weeks. It was intense training in approaches to trauma related situations. In the training I was meeting with other Boston area Domestic Violence agencies. Together we worked as a community to help survivors of violence. Once the training was complete I could start doing intakes with victims of domestic violence on my own and facilitating support groups. Once I completed an intake I would assess the client’s needs and suggest the services we offered. The services we offered generally fell within three categories: Advocacy, Individual counseling, and Group Counseling. Each client would have details on what the next steps would be in regards to the services they would receive. My contact with the client usually would involve them coming into the office for either group or individual sessions, however sometimes contact involved going to the court house for advocacy services. There were also times when I would accompany clients to meetings, and meet up with them at their job sites. The issue of safety meant that the traditional forms of counseling needed