COVER PAGE AND REFERENCE PAGE CANNOT BE COUNTED IN PAGE COUNT. I can provide a template for this assignment to edit.
Who you are interviewing.
Siera Lavoy, LPC
Describe his or her professional license, setting, population/specialization, and any other relevant information.
This can be added on to. She works Inpatient with both low acuity and high acuity adult patients and geriatric, adolescents from ages 13-18yrs of age and private practice.
Explain why you selected this counselor to interview.
She and I have similar backgrounds. I was intrigued by her background and passion for the field. I’ve had the opportunity to meet her in person and was captivated by her approach to the patient and staff that she works with. She has the material essence that she take with her clients and they listen to her with intent. She not afraid to meet her clients where they are; very detailed, and shows love in a professional but courteous way.
A detailed write-up of the interview, with links back to the Learning Resources. Note: Your write-up should be presented as a narrative rather than a listing of questions and answers.
In your write-up include how this information relates to the material in the course. (Cite the Learning Resources from the course consistently throughout your paper using APA style citations.) the book used was Orientation to the counseling profession. Let me know if you need anything else.
Provide a reflection on the following questions:
Consider your response to the Week 1 Spark Discussion question. How has your vision changed over the past 10 weeks? What is the same? What new insights have you gained?
My journey towards becoming a counselor has been shaped by a deeply personal evolution and a profound commitment to mental health advocacy. While my childhood aspirations did not initially align with counseling, life experiences gradually led me down this path. Through my own struggles during adolescence and into my twenties, I gained firsthand insight into the challenges individuals face in navigating mental health issues. It was during this time that my passion for forensic psychology began to transform into a calling for counseling.
As I navigated my own journey, I found myself naturally drawn to supporting others in similar situations, offering a listening ear and empathetic understanding. Even before formally pursuing a counseling career, I found myself engaging in informal counseling roles, providing support and guidance to those in need. It became increasingly clear to me that my purpose lay in empowering individuals to find their voices, to feel understood, and to embrace their own sense of normalcy despite societal pressures and stigmas.
My motivation for becoming a counselor stems from a profound desire to offer others the support and guidance that I wish I had received during my own struggles. I am driven by the opportunity to provide individuals with a safe space to explore their thoughts and emotions, to help them recognize their inherent worth, and to empower them to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and confidence. Ultimately, my goal as a counselor is to advocate for mental health awareness and to contribute to the creation of a more compassionate and understanding society
Currently, I hold the position of an inpatient psychiatric counselor, where I engage with a diverse range of individuals spanning from high acuity to low acuity cases. Among the demographics I work with, adolescents aged 13 to 18 hold a special place in my heart. There’s a maternal instinct within me that drives my desire to offer them a sense of security, safety, and understanding during their most vulnerable moments. While adolescents are my preferred focus, my caseload also encompasses geriatric and adult populations.
In terms of my professional aspirations, I am inclined towards remaining within the realm of inpatient counseling, however, the program that I have enrolled in here at Walden has school settings. My preference here lies in working with middle- to high school students, where I believe I can make a significant impact on their emotional well-being and academic success. Through my experiences and interactions with diverse populations, I have cultivated a passion for guiding and supporting individuals through their personal journeys towards healing and growth. As I continue to navigate my career, I am committed to fostering environments where individuals of all ages feel empowered, heard, and valued.
As mentioned above my present role as an inpatient psychiatric counselor, I have the privilege of engaging with individuals across various age groups, from adolescents to geriatric patients. Adolescents, in particular, hold a special place in my heart due to my innate desire to provide them with a sense of security, safety, and understanding during their vulnerable moments. While adolescents are my preferred focus, I also work with geriatric and adult populations, people that have been diagnosed with BPD, MDD, OCD, and people that have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, etc. These are just some of the patients that I have had the pleasure of working with and seeing them change from the point of admission to discharge.
In addition to providing direct clinical care, I am deeply committed to serving as an agent for social change as a licensed counselor. I recognize that my role extends beyond individual therapy sessions and encompasses advocating for systemic changes that promote mental health and social justice on a broader scale. As a counselor, I aim to leverage my platform to address systemic inequalities and advocate for policies that prioritize mental health care accessibility, especially for marginalized communities.
One of the ways I plan to serve as an agent for social change is by actively engaging in community outreach and education initiatives. By partnering with local schools, community centers, and non-profit organizations, I can provide psychoeducation workshops, support groups, and resources to increase mental health awareness and destigmatize seeking help for mental health concerns
Moreover, I recognize the power of technology and various channels to reach a wider audience and effect change. Through social media platforms, blogs, podcasts, and online forums, I intend to share evidence-based information, resources, and personal stories to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote de-stigmatization. By utilizing these digital platforms, I can connect with individuals beyond the confines of traditional therapy settings and provide support and validation to those who may be hesitant to seek help.
What did you learn from the interview that you did not learn in the course?
Pairings of inpatient treatment and private practice.
What, if anything, did you learn from the interview that contrasted with what you learned in the course?
here you can talk about the steps one had to take with continuing education, application of the Aca code of ethics and using them in the field.
What do you anticipate the impact of being a clinical mental health counselor may be on who you are personally?
