<img data-attachment-id = "22942" data-permalink = "https://ct.counseling.org/2020/04/a-note-of-encouragement-for-counseling-students-during-covid -19 / sanitize_laptop / "data-orig-file =" https://ct.counseling.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sanitize_laptop.jpg "data-orig-size =" 1250,833 "data- comment-opens = "1" data-image-meta = "{" aperture ":" 0 "," credit ":" "," camera ":" "," caption ":" "," created_timestamp ":" 0 "," copyright ":" "," focal_length ":" 0 "," iso ":" 0 "," shutter_speed ":" 0 "," title ":" "," Orientation ":" 0 "}" data -image-title = "sanitize_laptop" data-image-description = "
Close-up of a hand wiping a laptop keyboard with a disinfectant wipe
"data-medium-file =" https://ct.counseling.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sanitize_laptop-300×200.jpg "data-large-file =" https://ct.counseling.org /wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sanitize_laptop-1024×682.jpg "class =" wp-image-22942 alignright "src =" https://ct.counseling.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ sanitize_laptop-1024×682.jpg "alt =" "width =" 370 "height =" 246 "/> The current situation with COVID-19 and the effects on the advice of student life can cause stress, fear and insecurity. As a doctoral student supervisor, I hear these stories Fortunately, my department, the Department of Addiction and Rehabilitation Studies at East Carolina University, has taken steps to support all of her students, particularly the internship and interns, based on the Council’s decisions to accredit Advisory and related educational programs (CACREP) are the possibilities of the faculty jedoc h limited.
Remember that there are more than 800 CACREP accredited programs, which could mean over 10,000 counseling students. They are all in the same boat and do their best to stay afloat. Without flexibility in standards, we could have an even greater shortage of mental health professionals over the next few years.
As a doctoral student, you naturally have no control over CACREP. What are you in control of? The following recommendations may not be new to you, but they are helpful. You may already share some of these with customers.
Keep your schedule. We all know how helpful schedules and routines are for maintaining our sanity. Although you may not be going to classes or workplaces at the moment, it is advisable to stick to the pre-set schedule or to adapt to a new reasonable schedule. Include a morning routine and a bedtime routine. If you find that you suddenly have a little more time each day, look for ways to use that time, such as: B. sleep, exercise, meditate or tinker.
Check in with classmates and colleagues. My Ph.D. The student cohort also has a group chat and the Navigate Counseling Clinic, where I offer counseling services. One day during our “Spring Break 2.0” I realized how much I hadn't seen my cohort and needed a check-in. When I was planning a video conference, the other members of my cohort found this funny because I am not known to be the most sensitive person. But seeing their faces was so helpful to me. We also host weekly video conferences with Navigate clinicians, interns and interns. Group chats are great, especially for photos and pet memes, but video conferencing takes this connection to the next level.
Review your progress. Now is a good time to find out what you need before you take the next step, be it for an internship, internship, or license. Ask the faculty, supervisors, webinars, and other learning opportunities for help. I have created a "consultant dunking booth" in which supervisees can play a short clip of a TV show, film or advisory tape, or create a case study and challenge myself how I would address the situation or the customer. Even if you are unable to go to your website or do telemedicine, there are many ways to improve your skills, knowledge and abilities.
Check in with yourself. How do you keep yourself under the current stress? Does it affect your ability to work with clients or complete the required coursework? If you're having trouble answering these questions, ask those you know best. Perhaps now is a good time to find a counselor if you haven't already.
Many consultants indicate on their personal websites or in Psychology Today's "Find a Therapist" directory that they are able to provide telemedicine. A nationwide list of counselors is available on Pandemic Therapists' website to provide support in the current situation. Try again as new resources are added. When it comes to money, some advisors may offer consultants free or paid sessions. Also check out Open Path Collective and give an hour. Don't forget to contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness Organization and your member organizations in your state. The national organization has a hotline that can assist you in finding consultants.
The bottom line is that as a counseling student you are better prepared today than some approved clinicians when you enter the counseling field. You can show your customers great empathy when they are looking for services to deal with the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. You have probably taken a crash course in telemedicine, or at least learned how to quickly move your learning online. You will have a deeper understanding and understanding of the human connections we offer our clients as consultants.
You will emerge strengthened when you have had this experience.
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Dana M. Cea pronoun she / she or she / she is a volunteer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a psychiatric professional, a survivor of suicide loss and a PhD student at East Carolina University. She focuses her research on mental health and suicide, the LGBTQ + community, youth, and autism spectrum disorder. Dana lives with mental disorders, her spouse and her three dogs. Contact them at danamcea.com.
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