Reflective Essay

            There is a similarity between what I have learned from the assignments that I selected for my portfolio and the chosen program learning outcome. As a Doctor of Philosophy student in Human Services specialization in mental health administration, i was anticipated to critique the incorporation of social justice issues in human services organizations, evaluate human services performance approaches, and assess the notions, competencies, and policies that are important to ethical and legal practice in the human services environment. Also, I was obligated to formulate approaches to navigate the difficulties of human services systems that are grounded on the best practices and agitate for specific strategies, practices, and service delivery methods through multiple communication approaches. One underutilized method for reducing health disparities and training culturally competent health care workers is the engagement of undergraduate student health organizations in conducting health screenings, promotion, and health education outreach activities in underserved racial/ethnic communities (Mays, 2009). Organizational policies refer to the written statements designed to influence and ensure significant decisions making and useful implementation of plans to achieve the organization’s mission. There are strong policies a human service organization focuses on. The code of ethics is one of the primary strategies. Most of the employees come from different backgrounds hence have different definitions of ethical behavior. The code of ethics creates a common framework for all the employees and management to make decisions when interacting with volunteers, donors, and other organizations. The administration should clearly define their code of ethics, and every employee should sign a copy of the policy before getting employed (Wine, 2015). Leaders should lead by example and create a sense of belonging that ensures every employee feels like part of a team, whose goal is to achieve that organization’s goals. The leaders should value their employees from the least paid to the highest-paid, which in results leads to them valuing their work.  The provision of high-quality services is created as a habit by management. The natural feeling of being the best by providing the best services becomes a motivator that always ensures nothing but the best quality. The administration should always be open to innovative thinkers, encouraging them to share their ideas that would aid in achieving the organization’s mission. This positive energy inspires employees.  Remember that in any organization, change is inevitable; therefore, in businesses and organizations, the attitude towards change is what determines how it will affect the involved party. Leaders should positively deal with the adjustment incurred, embrace it, and move forward, to avoid limitations in growth. Leadership deals with change by being flexible. As plans are made, room for change is provided.

Throughout my studies at the University of the Rockies, I have been fortunate to draw five lessons. I have had the privilege of taking an exclusive class for my counseling major, whereby I practiced and applied the theories and strategies that I had read about. With fewer students in the class, we got the counselor and the client on the other side. One of the lessons that I have drawn from the classes is that I have to fail initially to succeed. As blunt as it sounds, it is a precise statement for aspiring mental health counselors. I will not immediately become a great mental health counselor without having first making mistakes during my training. However, these mistakes will provide me with a thriving mental health counseling career. The second lesson drawn from the classes is that it is important to treat each client with dignity and respect that is required for growth and change to happen. The basis for trust and safety is developed by building rapport and a therapeutic relationship with the customer. This stability provides the necessary framework for a customer to establish a healthy ego to strive to include and practice these required skills of emotional and physiological control. Arguably, self-regulation provides personal accountability and can generalize the universe of self. The third lesson I have accrued from the studies is that working with real clients is more problematic than customers in practicum. It is a lesson of humility to commence counseling the clients. The fourth lesson I accrued is that no one theory is applicable to all the clients.  The approach applied to one client will be different from the other one used to the other client. Counselling has taught me to be more innovative and creative to solve situations because it is not a mechanical or tyranny of numbers profession. Also, the other lesson, I accrued is that there is nothing such as the most significant lesson. Every moment is a lesson because each breath, insight, emotion, thought, and encounter is a lesson. I have understood that it is important to give full attention to every detail.

I have applied the knowledge that I have acquired in the field of human services. I am committed to being the voice that assists in easing the tension and anxiety that an individual is encountering and help the client to shift forward and attain the set goals positively. As early as 1989, I have been in the profession as a nurse in Maryland. I see myself as a compassionate, patient-focused caregiver with massive experience in home and hospital environments. From this period, my journey has given me the chance to be a counselor for those suffering from mental health disorders. I have been a hardworking Direct Support Professional skilled in counseling, advocating, patient care, and teaching for the last eighteen years. Since 2000, I have assisted my customers in breaking the barriers that hold them. I believe that life is too short to be sad or uncertain. Let me help you get acquainted with the appropriate ways to handle the challenges that hinder you from achieving your set goals. I’ve been a Residential Counselor since 2002, helping my clients throughout the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area attain their individual and professional goals. The importance of my work is to allow self-growth by assisting you in acknowledging the main problems and setbacks in your life to overwhelm them with confidence. In addition, I am a veteran of the Persian Gulf War. I have been fortunate to specialize in developing plans customized to every person and offering tools to assist the post-war veterans who have encountered PTSD due to previous participation in the war. I attempt to assist the veterans who express the signs of committing suicide.

I have many goals, thoughts, and area of focus for my future dissertation. My area of focus is the effect of information technology on mental health treatment. The topic is important to me because I aspire I aim to calm the tension and anxiety of the individuals suffering from mental health illnesses. Technology has established a new frontier in mental health support and gathering of data. Mobile devices such as smartphones, cell phones, and tablets are giving the scholars, doctors, and the public the methods to get assistance, monitor progress, and improve the comprehension of mental welfare. I believe that the knowledge of mental health act, policy, and procedure will assist me in responding to persons suffering from mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, major depression, and other forms of disorders. I am passionate about this area because technology has been instrumental in the assessment and treatment of mental illness. In my view, technology is the next big revolution in the treatment of mental disorders. Technology will bring effectiveness to the treatment of the mental disorders that affect individuals.  Technology is a passion of mine, and I enjoy nothing more than learning the trends that technology is taking to work more efficiently and observe progress and success. I like to see the big picture that is mapped for the needs of technology. The future needs for mental health treatment will be a reality through the adoption of technology. Efficiency is important to me, and I gave a passion for discovering more productive ways to attain goals. Mapping out the technological solutions for the future is a significant way to guarantee efficiency is reached in each process possible. The problem that I have about this area is measuring the impact that technology has on the treatment of mental illness. The experts in this field are mental health professionals who offer therapy and medications. The best resources for me to explore in this field are books from notable authors.