Point system for Classroom for Groups

This is an example of a Token Economy technique where you can increase the immediacy of a consequence or rewards by using tokens or a point system. These can then be cashed in for special privileges or inexpensive rewards at a later time. The behaviors that you want to extinguish in this group can be tied to negative points or points that they lose. and the behaviors that you want to increase or encourage are tied of course to the point receiving behaviors.

 

This is an example of one for a classroom, just like the jeopardy game you can kind of use your creativity on this one too make it your own.

 

 

You know your burnt out when.....

1. You no longer want to see clients or do group.
2. When you do, do these things you slack off and don't put 100% like you used to.
3. You stop doing the thing that you enjoy.
4. You are Always Tired.
5. You feel that your job is monotonous and you just don't see the point of putting in effort.

Pretty much you get the picture of what burnout is. and I know that most of you have heard this through your classes and in your professional lives. Listed below are some ways to curb burnout or to bring out back out of it.

1. Try some new group/individual activities.
2. Talk to your supervisor of colleague about what's going on.
3. Take a small amount of time off.
4. Recall that passion that got you into the field in the first place.
5. get back into at least 1 hobby or activity that you love to do.

Interviewing for Mental Health Counselors

Therapeutic Jeopardy for groups

Therapeutic jeopardy!

With this tool you can enhance any group with almost any population. its interactive and you can tailor the questions to the needs of the group that you are running.

You can use some of the computer programs that are out there for free. However, since many facilities lack a projector and/or an available computer or laptop that can connect to your lap top this is an easy to make alternative.

Required tools:
1 Poster bored of any color
Markers
Ruler
Index Cards
Velcro

Free CE Course's

The Baker ACT:
http://bakeracttraining.org/bakeract/login/index.php
  
This is one for veterans called bringing them home it has about four or five courses regarding the military population:
http://aos.cequick.com/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fMyCourses.aspx

  Suicide Prevention Training:
 http://training.sprc.org/

Dealing with childhood Traumatic Greif:
http://ctg.musc.edu/

Cognitive Process Therapy:
https://cpt.musc.edu/

Trauma focused cognitive therapy
http://tfcbt.musc.edu/

  Courses regarding the LGBT community (beware some of these are for behavioral health but the others are more for nurses)
http://www.lgbthealtheducation.org/training/online-courses/continuing-education/?y=13

Interveiw Tip #2

 Some agencies will want you to use a specific theory. Don't panic if you find you have no experience in that modality, you may still have a chance at that job. Be honest and describe the theories that you practice in. If there is a theory that you don't practice admit to it any say that you have a limited working knowledge and are willing to learn the new modality.

Registering as a Mental Health Counseling Intern in Floirda

 

Sorry For got to say the difference between RMHCI and Dual. Dual is $205 and RMHCI is $150

To register online and fill out the application:
https://appsmqa.doh.state.fl.us/DOHIn...

To look up you supervisor and their information to put in your online application:
https://appsmqa.doh.state.fl.us/IRM00...

Once your approved sign in here:
https://appsmqa.doh.state.fl.us/mqase...

UPDATE 3/14/15: 
so apparently after the first 6 months of having this license you do have to renew it for $80 however the renew license if they send you is good for the next two years.

Internal and external locus of control (For Group and Indavidual therapies)

Internal and external locus of control is a great subject to cover with people who have an issue with the unexpected, has a lot of conflict with others, relinquishing control over things, or even problems with other people. This idea was developed by Julian Rotter in 1954.

Now a person with a very string External Locus of control might feel that there decisions and life events are controlled by things like: the environment, unseen forces, spiritual forces, luck, politicians, government and so on and so forth.

On the other hand a person with a very strong Internal Locus of control  believes that events in their life derive primarily from their own actions and that they have the most control over things like decisions and life events.

Generally speaking people who are more Internal than External tend to have less stress when going through life's different events because they believe that they have control over them. When a person is more External than Internal they may feel like no matter what they do nothing will change which leads to a higher level of stress.

I have had a lot of success with applying this style of though to working with at risk youth and people who seem to get into a lot of altercations with others.

There are several very good assessments that you can use to determine where your client stands on the locus of control scale such as:

http://www.psych.uncc.edu/pagoolka/LocusofControl-intro.html
(online only)


https://www.wlc.edu/uploadedFiles/success/SurveyLocus.pdf
(Paper test)

Here are some other useful references:
http://psychology.about.com/od/personalitydevelopment/fl/What-Is-Locus-of-Control.htm
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_90.htm





Lefcourt, Herbert M., and Karina Davidson-Katz. 1991. Locus of Control and Health. In Handbook of Social and Clinical Psychology: The Health Perspective, eds. C. R. Snyder and Donelson R. Forsyth, 246–266. New York: Pergamon Press.

Rotter, Julian B. 1954. Social Learning and Clinical Psychology. New York: Prentice-Hall.

Rotter, Julian B. 1966. Generalized Expectancies for Internal Versus External Control of Reinforcement. Psychological Monographs 80 (Whole No. 609).

Rotter, Julian B., June E. Chance, and E. Jerry Phares. 1972. Applications of a Social Learning Theory of Personality. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Rotter, Julian. B., Melvin Seeman, and Shephard Liverant. 1962. Internal Versus External Control of Reinforcement: A Major Variable in Behavior Therapy. In Decisions, Values and Groups, Vol. 2, ed. Norman F. Washburne, 473–516. New York: Pergamon Press.

What a Client Goes through when they are Baker Acted

* Published in the Chi Sigma Iota Beta Upsilon Spring 2014 Newsletter*

 

The Florida Mental Health Act or is more common name the Baker Act is a law in our state of Florida. The purpose of this act is so that a client who is a danger to themselves or others can be placed in confinement for a short amount of time (72 hours or more) while they get stabilized (Florida Mental Health Act n.d). The persons who can initiate this involuntary examination are: Judges, Police officers, Doctors, or Mental Health professionals (Florida Mental Health Act n.d). As long as that official has evidence to prove that the client is going to harm themselves, another person, or is having issues with a mental illness; then that client is transferred to a counties crisis stabilization unit.

Additionally, any client can also voluntarily check themselves into a crisis stabilization unit. However, even though your client may have voluntarily checked they cannot check themselves out whenever they are ready. Since it is a crisis stabilization unit you client has to wait for their doctor and psychiatrist to feel that they are stable enough to not harm themselves or others in the outside world (Florida Mental Health Act n.d). Also if the doctors in charge of their care feel that there is enough evidence of the client’s unstable condition they can be transferred to involuntary status after the evidence is reviewed by a magistrate (Florida Mental Health Act n.d). This, transfer can potentially lengthen a client’s stay in the unit.

When your client is admitted to the unit their clock starts (the count down to 72 hours of involuntary time). During the initial 24 hours that client will meet up with case managers, therapists, psychiatrists, and/or a medical doctor in order to form a treatment plan for their care while there here. Since many of these units are in hospitals your client may have a roommate and may not be in a room by themselves. Your client will also have access to medical care and medication management services if they require them. However, during this time your client will be around people of varying mental health statuses; ranging from the functional to dysfunctional. And client are not allowed to leave the unit until they are discharged by the psychiatrist and doctor who is in charge of their care.

This stabilization is by no means free of charge. Your client will have to pay for all services during their stay. And if they do not have insurance it will be difficult for them to find a facility. Local facilities do accept clients without insurance however they will try to fill their beds with clients who do have insurance first before admitting clients who do not. Your client without insurance will still receive a bill for all services. All clients have to be admitted to a receiving facility when they are baker acted because it is the law. So on the bright side there is no way that your client in crisis will be turned away. Lastly, your clients stay in a mental health facility is added to their record. Even if it is on a temporary status. Because of this mark on their record you client will never be able to own a firearm (Katz 2013).

During you clients short stay they will be interacting with therapists, nurses, medical doctors, physiatrist, and other patients. They will receive three square meals a day along with mediation if they require it. Your client will have ample access to therapeutic groups that are run through the day. There they can not only talk to the therapist/ co therapists they can also socialize and meet others who may have a condition similar to theirs. Your client can also have a family session or couple session if they feel the need to mediate with their loved ones before returning home.

They also have access to a case manager. If your client unfortunately lives in an environment that is contributing to their mental status or causing them to enter a crisis stage more often. The case manager can connect your client to a halfway house, assisted living facility that meets the need of your client and contains a population that is similar to them. In addition to assisting your client with their living situation the case manager and therapist can set your client up with other therapeutic resources.

This, article is by no means meant to sway readers away from baker acting a client. If anything it is meant to get future and current clinicians to consider these issues before baker acting clients too easily. If possible before baker acting a client there are some steps that will come in handy in making this decision on the behalf of your client:

1. Identify the problem or dilemma.

·         Does a problem or dilemma actually exist?

·         Is this an ethical, legal, moral, professional, or clinical problem?

2. Identify the potential issues involved.

·         How might you best evaluate the rights, responsibilities, and welfare of all those involved and those who are affected by the decision, including your own welfare as a practitioner?

·         What actions have the least chance of bringing harm to your client?

·         Are there any ways to encourage the client to participate in identifying and determining potential ethical issues?

3. Review the relevant ethical codes.

·         Are your values in agreement with the specific ethical code in question?

·         How clear and specific are the codes on the specific area under consideration?

·         Are the codes consistent with applicable state laws?

4. Know the applicable laws and regulations.

·         Are there any laws or regulations that have a bearing on the situation under consideration?

·         What are the specific and relevant state and federal laws that apply to the ethical dilemma?

·         What are the rules, regulations, and policies of the agency or institution where you work?

5. Obtain consultation.

·         Do you know where to go to obtain consultation with professionals who are knowledgeable about ethical issues?

·         What kinds of questions do you want to ask of those with whom you consult?

·         With whom do you seek consultation?

·         What kinds of information do you document when you consult?

6. Consider possible and probable courses of action.

·         What are some ways that you can brainstorm many possible courses of action?

·         Are you willing to involve your client in the discussion of the various courses of action?

·         What might you document pertaining to discussions with your client about probable courses of action?

7. Enumerate the consequences of various decisions.

·         How can you best evaluate the potential consequences of each course of action, before implementing a particular action plan?

·         What ethical principles can you use as a framework for evaluating the consequences of a given course of action?

·         Examine the consequences of various decisions for your client, for you as counselor, and for the profession in general.

8. Decide on what appears to be the best course of action.

·         After carefully considering all the information you have gathered, how do you know what seems to be the best action to take?

·         Once you have formulated a plan of action, ask for feedback from a colleague or supervisor.

·         Once the course of action has been implemented, evaluate the course of action.

 

*Adapted from Corey, G., Corey, M, & Haynes, R. (1998). Student workbook for Ethics in Action. Pacific

Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Resources:

Katz, D. (2013) Buy a gun? You can’t if you’re disqualified. Retrieved from: http://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2013/03/buy-a-gun-you-cant-if-youre-disqualified.html

Florida Mental Health Act (n.d) Retrieved from: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0394/0394PARTIContentsIndex.html

To Awnser or not to Awnser that is the question: The consequences and Ethical use of cellular communication with clients.

*Published in Chi Sigma Iota Beta Upsilon Chapters Spring 2014 Newsletter*

 

            Cell phones, most of us have and utilize them frequently either for personal or business application. Within our field a cell phone can be a tool that benefits our clients. The usefulness and ease of access of the mobile device can be used to increase the communication between client and counselor. This, device however can operate in both a beneficial purpose as well as an un-ethical exploit on the therapist client relationship.
               

          Mobile phones are a great way to ensure a line of emergency communication with clients after the session is over. As well as the time in between sessions. As long as you have battery life and service you can be connected to one another within seconds. Additionally, the rapid response can provide a client with a therapeutic outlet in emergencies an on a day to day basis.

                 Unfortunately there are some apparent cons to using a mobile device for client contact. One being boundaries. Giving your client a mobile number opens an avenue to test boundaries. Because there is literally nothing to stop your client to see if they can get you to pick up the phone at any hour of the day.

                Another drawback to giving clients access to your cellular device is that they might become dependent. Similar to boundary testing clients may feel that being available on the cell phone means that you will always be available via cell phone. A client may not be accepting of termination, vacation, or leave of absence and will try to contact you anyway. ‘

Some clients might try to take advantage of that fact and try to gain free sessions. Now ethically speaking answering the phone to help the client is not in itself an immoral action. However, if a client is making calls frequently the clinician may be essentially giving the client a free session over time. Which is a drain on the clinician and can strain the client counselor relationship. It is not uncommon for a therapist to see clients on a pro bono basis. Nevertheless, the therapist giving out his/her cell phone number almost encourages the client to push the boundaries and test how long they can speak to the therapist on the phone. 

Since there it would be very difficult to not see the financial as well as convenience of using a cellular device in the place of a traditional LAN line phone a few ideas come to mind as to how these issues can be combated. Having a single cell phone that can be used for work can be problematic; luckily there are options. Other than buying another cell phone (details below) there is the free program run through Google called Google Voice.

In order to activate Google Voice you must first sent up a Gmail account (free) which can be done on any android mobile device (or if you are of the apple persuasion you can do this through the ITunes store, also free). You will then choose a mobile number that is different from your personal number and can be linked to your mobile device through the app. This, way you can give your Google Voice number to your clients instead of your personal one. A downside is that this will still be sent to one device and you will only be able to access voice mails left in this program from the website.

As far as buying an additional mobile device for professional needs some may be concerned that this, purchase would be financially burdensome. On the contrary, by doing a search for cell phones and process on BestBuy.com I was able to locate a cell phone for $4.99 in price. This particular model was a no contract phone. Which means that one would have to buy a prepaid card when minuets needed to be added to the phone instead of paying a monthly bill. Now $29.99 will get you 120 minutes that do not expire, as well as having no limits as to the times of day when you can utilize them. With tax that would come to $37.98 in total ( keep in mind that $4.99 is a onetime only charge and the phone card will probably last you about 3 months if you continue reading on).

A voicemail message can also be used to convey boundaries to the clients who call you. Whatever device you choose to youse for client communication you should always insert the message that if this is an emergency that they (the client) should immediately dial 911 or 211. Broward 211 and Switchboard 211 are two reputable suicide hotlines that can assist your client after hours if they are in crisis. This resource can be added to your voicemail message as well. Instead of having 911 alone.

Additionally, you should note how long conversations will be when you do return a client call. If you have a second line adding hour of operation would bolster the strength of your boundaries. Having hours of operation concretely tell the client that if you say this phone will be one and available from 4-8; that during the hour before and after the device will be off and you will not return calls until that time.

Interview tips for the field #1

When you're looking for a job in the field a really good tip for preparing for interviews is the practice responding to a hypothetical case based on the population that they serve because most facilities want to know how you respond and what kind of actions you would take because they determine whether or not you would be appropriate and a good fit for their population.

Introduction Video

NCMHCE Exam Prep

Hey all I found this playlist of study videos for the NCMHCE theres about 100+ aviable for free! Hope this is usefull to someone!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist…

NCMHCE Exam Prep

At www.CounselingExam.com, we want you to pass, that's why we've compiled a list of all the videos we could find that might help you achieve that goal. Over ...

youtube.com

Youtube Channel

Here's a link to the YouTube channel. Hopefully, I will be able to get new videos up every Sunday.


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChJ-FnDazQkMT8YhmwBlUCA

Resource for Group and Indavidual

Here is a link to a website that has a whole bunch of information that you can use if you are getting stuck while gathering materials for a group or materials for an individual session. Additionally, if you were to use this site for your individual clients it has things written in such a way that they are easily understandable.
http://www.helpguide.org/

Broward training resources

Hey guys here's a link for some Ce's and training opportunities through the children's service council of broward county most of them are at a very low cost most of them are around 10 dollars:
http://training.cscbroward.org/pages/home.aspx



Also I just found that they have a slew of free online training here:

http://olc.cscbroward.org/

Children's Services Council of Broward County - Home

Hope this helps good luck!

FaceBook Page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Counseling-Resources-Masters-to-Licensure/838689959526145?sk=info&tab=page_info


Got The Facebook page up and running Videos to come soon.

Welcome and Purpose

The purpose of this Blog is to help others during the many different stages of their development as a counselor.I am very interested in helping other professionals and developing professionals in this field by providing them with information and tools for success.