So much has happened since my last post. The storm is now over, and I can focus solely on work without the demands of school. I graduated in mid-December with my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am so excited! I worked at my internship site for about a month as a group counselor, where I led 14 groups a week. This was nice because I loved my internship site, but I also really wanted to do individual therapy. A month later, through a colleague, I got a job at a community agency, where I have a caseload of 20 clients. Most of them are children an adolescents and a few adults. I have never counseled children before, so I was anxious in the beginning, but I did take a Play Therapy class, and the counseling with my 6 year old client is going well, given I have little experience. I really like my boss, and one supervisor does Play Therapy Certification, so I’m probably going to try and use that. I specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as I did a year-long internship in DBT. I have at least 4 clients that I can DBT with, especially emotion regulation and mindfulness techniques. I am excited, and grateful, that my internship site as prepared me so well with this type of therapy!
I passed my licensing exam, and my application is under review to be a National Certified Counselor. I am not sure when I’ll hear back, but we’ll see. The next step is getting my Associate Professional Counselor (APC) license, which I hold for three years before becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I have two more forms I need to fill out, then I need to request my license exam scores to the Licensing Board, and then (hopefully by next month’s deadline) I’ll have my license and be able to officially practice in my state! Currently my credentials are MS and the Supervisee in Training.
For downtime, I have also enjoyed reading my former undergraduate professor’s blog Love Invents Us . She discusses her process of trying to conceive (TTC) with her and her wife. They have two beautiful boys currently, and I’m so happy for them! I hope to have a similar blog in a few years once my partner and I start TTC. It seems like there is such a wonderful online community of support for lesbian parents and families!
Take care!
Well done you!! You’re doing such a special and important job. You should be very proud of yourself. Keep up the good work!!
Thanks! I know I’ve always said I want to update more often, and somehow it always falls apart. I’ll try to do it more often.
Hope things are going okay for you.
congratulations on all of your achievements
you are doing what i hope to be able to do one day, i’m currently doing my psychology degree. I really hope the TTC works for you
Thank you so much! Best of luck completing your degree!
I remember being in your shoes not too long ago. Fresh out of grad school, going through the process of licensure. Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders, a good place of employment and good support system so I think you will excel in all that you do. My only word of advice is to never get comfortable, to never stop reading, educating yourself and taking CEU courses that can further your knowledge and career. Things in counseling change quickly and it’s easy to become stagnant. Keep up the good work, I’m excited to hear more.
Hello Jess,
I watched your It Gets Better video today and started searching for alternative ways to get in touch with you. I am a recently diagnosed bipolar in need of some friendly help. I’ve been fighting depression for over 5 years, but the bipolar word only came up a few weeks ago. Do you have any e-mail or personal way I can get in touch (if your let me, of course)? I have loads of doubts and questions and have been feeling pretty lonely. I don’t know anyone with the disorder and my parents don’t quite get what it is like, although they are very supportive and helpful, no complaints. I just needed some help from someone who’s been there and done that. The medication is strong and makes me feel confused, sleepy, dizzy, nauseous, my memory doesn’t work properly… I’m in my last year in college, huge assignments ahead and I’m scared about my learning capacity.
Thank you for being so supportive, you gave me hope.
Lana