New Year, Same Me (but continuing to grow)

With the flip of the calendar, we entered into a new year. What will 2017 hold for you? I know that 2017 means not only a new year, but also some uncertainties as we also enter into a new political atmosphere. There are many unknowns, as well as some things that have been presented by the incoming leader, which may not be in everyone’s best interest. I also have a few health issues such as fibromyalgia, IBS, diverticular disease, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disorder, and small fiber neuropathy to name a few. 

Some days, my symptoms make it hard to do much of anything, including wearing clothes due to allodynia which is a symptom that is associated with fibromyalgia. I am just glad that I get to work from home, where there is no dress code. Other days, I am able to push through any discomfort present and take the dogs on long walks (between 5-7 miles). However, it is frustrating at times, because on the days where I do not feel capable of moving due to pain and/or fatigue, the dogs still want to have their outings and I know that movement is essential to my mental and physical health.

With all of these unknowns as we enter into the New Year, it is important to identify the areas that you have control over in your own life. For me, this reminder can help to gain perspective and alleviate some of the anxiety that sometimes arises in times of uncertainty. One area of my life that is within my control is my educational pursuits. My newest course opened up today, with the course officially starting on Monday. I have been attending graduate school since 2012 and currently have a 3.828 GPA and have three courses left until I graduate with my MS in Clinical Psychology with a specialty in Applied Research. 

I could have graduated a lot earlier, but after completing all of my coursework and residencies that were a part of my previous academic program, I transitioned over from mental health counseling to clinical psychology since my heart and passion truly come alive in the research realm. This term I am taking Multicultural Perspectives in Human Behavior, which is a 10-week course and will require me to complete weekly discussion posts and three assignments, with the final project consisting of a project that spans between 24-30 pages on diversity and multicultural considerations within my specialty of applied research as it applies to clinical psychology. 

I see this as my opportunity to delve deeper into understanding the challenges faced by minorities within the military population. This may include racial, gender, and sexual orientation aspects as they apply to members of the military. I am sure that I will be able to fill all 30 pages by pursuing this topic, while at the same time becoming more aware of the challenges that may exist when providing clinical psychology services and conducting research on this very important population within society.

Although I have said it in the past, this time I will work on the discussion posts before they are due, which will mean carving out part of my time to work ahead, ensuring that no matter how I feel, I will be able to have all of my initial discussion posts ready to post ahead of time. This will also help to ensure that I am not rushed or pressed for time, which is always a possibility when it comes to my life, as I wear many hats: mom to five rescue dogs, housekeeper, freelance writer, graduate student, spoonie, library resource assistant, and an all-around get shit done type of person. There is also a new venture that has presented itself, which is an extension on a project I had worked on in the past. All very exciting stuff and easy to become overwhelmed. Fingers crossed that I am able to pull it all off!

My Vision as a Psychology Practitioner-Scholar

**Please, do not plagiarize. This has been run through Turnitin and is therefore in the system. You will get caught and it's not worth it**

Abstract

The first step in accomplishing a goal is to picture the type of future one desires. Developing a vision helps to provide guidance on the path of self-discovery, which can help to identify the goals that are required to achieve the desired outcome. Through self-reflection, I have developed a set of goals that will bring me closer to my vision of being a psychology practitioner-scholar within a clinical research setting. Each goal identified can help to bring my dreams into fruition, building upon my previous experience and educational achievements, allowing me to become a successful contributor to the field of clinical psychology.

My Vision as a Psychology Practitioner-Scholar

            My desire to gain a deeper understanding about the human condition has served as a major motivator during my educational pursuits. As early as my first taste of college at the age of 16 years, the field of psychology has stirred my passion. Between graduating with my Associates’ degree and enrolling at Oregon State University, where I earned my Bachelors’ degree, I spent 12 years in the military. During this time, I gravitated towards having deep discussions with the officers who had backgrounds in psychology and remember talking about top-down bottom-up cognitive processing somewhere off the coast of Haiti. Engaging in these types of conversations with other educated individuals fanned the flames that had been smoldering since being introduced to the field of psychology.

            Aside from speaking with educated peers on a variety of topics that pertain to psychology, other major influences include Philip Zimbardo and Stanley Milgram, both of whom made substantial contributions to the deeper understanding of human behavior. The Harvard Prison Experiment, led by Philip Zimbardo, helped to highlight the power of situational forces in regards to how an individual behaves (Zimbardo, 2007). Likewise, Milgram’s obedience study expanded the understanding of how some individuals can be obedient due to the presence of a perceived authority figure, even if the actions that were associated with the behavior could potentially cause harm to another human being. Both of these psychologists have served as inspiration and motivation as I navigate through my educational journey.

Vision

            Visions help to lead us towards our goals, providing encouragement and motivation during challenging times. My personal and educational visions have helped me to recognize that my previous path was not going to assist in making my career goals a reality. Switching from the MS program in mental health counseling to the MS in clinical psychology with a specialization in applied research was a major step towards my goal of working as a principal investigator or research assistant within the field of psychology. With the information and guidance I will be able to gain through my current MS program, I will be better prepared to work in the research setting.

            Upon graduation from the clinical psychology program, I would like to work with individuals who have experienced traumatic events, such as sexual trauma, military combat, or have been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. Working within a research context, my vision as a psychology practitioner-scholar consists of developing new therapeutic methods to assist this population with healing their mind-body connection and regain a higher quality of life. Although this type of position would involve some client interaction, much like what would be experienced in a mental health counseling position, the individuals I would ideally work with would be participants in a study that pertains to mental health and other topics within the field of psychology.

            My vision also includes presenting research findings in both journal articles within a peer-reviewed publication, as well as at various conferences. Sharing the effect that a specific intervention had on a sample of participants through dissemination and publication can help to expand the number of individuals who are able to benefit from the data obtained during a research study (Wilson, Petticrew, Calnan, & Nazareth, 2010). Working with colleagues who share a similar passion for helping others, identifying new methods or interventions, and developing a deeper understanding of human behavior rounds out my vision as a psychology practitioner-scholar.

Goals

            In order to make my vision a reality, it is necessary to identify and set goals that are meaningful and applicable, assisting me in obtaining my desired professional position. Some of my educational and personal goals fall within the short-term category, such as completing the current course with a satisfactory grade and moving to a more peaceful environment. One of these goals will be met within the next few days, while the other will be accomplished in approximately seven more weeks. Other goals that fit within my three-year plan include earning my MS degree in clinical research with a specialization in applied research, improve upon my statistical analysis skills, and obtaining employment as a psychology research assistant, preferably somewhere in the Pacific Northwest or Colorado. Each step that I take, such as seeking out volunteer experience in the field of psychology research, completing courses in my degree program, and polishing up my academic writing skills all carry me closer towards my personal and professional vision.

Conclusion

            Identifying one’s passion, articulating goals, and working towards making a vision a reality are powerful tools in achieving a desired outcome. As I delve deeper and explore my vision, the steps that I need to take become clearer. The vision that I have developed can help to provide the added motivation to accomplish my goals, particularly during trying times. Staying the course and bringing my dreams and vision into fruition will allow me to become a successful practitioner-scholar within the field of clinical psychology.

**References Available Upon Request**

Trump is #notmypresident

People say that the “tolerant lefties” are showing a lot of hate after the election. The racists were butt hurt after Obama was elected President, but we are angry at the fact that a racist, sexist, homophobic, islamaphobic, fear mongering blowhard is now going to be in charge of the United States for the next four years. 

His VP choice also supports electrocuting gay and lesbian people to “cure the gayness” out of them through conversion therapy practices, which has been deemed to be dangerous (mentally and physically) by the American Psychological Association (as well as unnecessary, as being gay or lesbian is not an illness to cure). 

An article written by Sacks (2011) states that some of the treatment used in conversion therapy includes: “psychoanalytic therapy, prayer and spiritual interventions, electric shock, nausea inducing drugs, hormone therapy, surgery, and behavioral treatments, including masturbatory reconditioning, rest, visits to prostitutes, and excessive bicycle riding.”

See, there is a difference in our anger. He divided us before he even was elected, now he’s preaching that we need to come together. He is the one that gave the white nationalists their blowhard voice piece that is now preaching peace? I believe in him and his empty words just about as much as I believe in God…

This is just the beginning. What side of history do you want to be on? The side that preaches hate and intolerance, or the side that truly believes in being kind to one another, no matter what color, sexual orientation, or religion one subscribes to? It’s your choice. Choose wisely.

Reference

(http://lawandreligion.com/sites/lawandreligion.com/files/2011%20Vol%201%20Sacks.pdf)