Ideally I would like to help a child or adolescent with any level of need as my client. I would like to work with this group because these individuals will shape the future and help grow the de-stigmatization of mental health for any future individuals that will also struggle with those same needs. For their goals, ideally I would like a client who has clear goals for themselves like developing healthy coping strategies. Having clear goals allows the process to move more smoothly not only for the client but the clinician and having the process be as easy as possible allows their goals to met in a safe and healthy manor in a way that best suits the client and their needs. As for what they want and why, I would ideally like a client that was ready to make those changes in their lives as well as wanting to make them in order to meet their goals. As for why this is the case, I believe that also being ready for the changes that come with therapy is one of the biggest steps a client needs to take. If the client is not ready, treatment most likely will not go as they want it to without them even realizing that is the problem. Wanting and being ready for the changes to meet their goals is also a big first step in making changes in their lives which is needed when going through this process.

Firstly, I feel like the word “help” can have a wide variety of meanings in the context of therapy. Much of the help we provide to clients is highly dependent on the needs of said client. For one client help could be just providing a safe space to feel heard. Another client may need intense or highly specialized techniques to address their needs and goals. How I plan to help is utilize not only the go to CBT but narrative therapy in order to address as many as the needs in that range. As someone looking to specialize in narrative therapy, I feel I can offer a very dynamic approach on the technique as I already have been within the confines of my previous internship. Utilizing narrative therapy, allows clients, especially minor ones, to have a degree of separation to better address and confront any harder to address needs until they are
ready to directly address it. I plan to bring this approach and dynamic use of it to the practice in order to allow clients a sense of healing and peace. The dynamic approach not only allows for better report with the client but allows the client to utilize fiction they have already connected with in order to address their needs in a safe and healthy way, especially the minor population of clients who are in constant contact with the internet and digital space.

I would like start with my patients or future patients should know that I accept all people regardless of their gender identity, race, sexuality and ethnicity. You are valid. I believe that every person who wishes to seek help for their mental health should have access and be able to have adequate services. Secondly I would like them to know that I’m a new clinician coming straight from graduate school and would be honored to work with them. I am your typical nerd! I read comic books, play video games and watch anime in my free time. I also regularly attend conventions and cosplay as another form of fun and self care. My whole life I utilized my interest in these things to be inclusive and invite a wide variety of persons and experiences throughout my life. I am of the belief that everyone deserves to be included, heard and have kindness given to them. While working with any future clients, I hope we can connect on not only the listed interests, general pop culture and daily life as well as through the services we will work in together. I care deeply for all my past, current and future clients and strive to have their safety and happiness put first in whatever capacity I am allowed. I cannot wait to hear from all current and future clients!